The Phoenix VA Health Care System is recruiting for one (1) Orthotist/Prosthetist who will be assigned to be the Amputee Clinic Team Orthotist/Prosthetist for both the Phoenix VAMC and Prescot VAMC. This positions will be assigned to the Orthotic/Prosthetic Laboratory section of the Prosthetic and Sensory Aid Service. The position is at the Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center, but will be required to travel to Prescot VAMC at least once a week.

Duties

The Orthotist/Prosthetist provides patient care through an examination of patient's needs, creating a treatment plan, and providing the appropriate orthotic and/or prosthetic services. The major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Reviews patient's prescription and/or referral. Performs diagnosis specific functional clinical examination. Provides an assessment of the patient's needs. Formulates a treatment plan to meet the needs of the patient. Conducts measurement, casting, and fitting of required device. Consults with other health care professionals about patient's condition. Refers patient to other health care professionals for intervention beyond orthotic and/or prosthetic scope of practice, when necessary. Documents treatment plan using established documentation techniques to verify patient care. Selects appropriate materials, components, and specifications for orthosis and/or prosthesis based on patient criteria. Prepares delineation, impression, and/or template for modification and/or fabrication. Fabricates and/or assembles prescribed device by assembling materials and/or components for fitting and/or delivery. Educates and/or counsels patient and/or caregiver on the use and maintenance of the orthosis and/or prosthesis. Reviews quotes and invoices to ensure coding and componentry accuracy. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: May be considered at time of selection. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Orthotists, prosthetists, or orthotist/prosthetists must be proficient in spoken and written as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). Education: A bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program. OR, A bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program. ( A copy of transcripts is required.) Board Certification: Candidates must be board certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) or the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC) as an orthotist, prosthetist, or orthotist/prosthetist. The board certificate must be current and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirements for continuing education. Certification as a technician, pedorthist, assistant or fitter does not meet this requirement. (A copy of certification is required.) Grade Determinations: GS-5 Orthotist/Prosthetist Qualifications: Entry Level Experience. None beyond the basic requirements mentioned above. Assignment. Assignments at this grade level are entry level trainee in nature where the individual receives training and instruction to develop proficiency in essential occupational tasks such as taking measurements, patient communication, and fabrication and fitting of simple appliances. The work is performed under close supervision. Under the close supervision of his/her supervisor, incumbent is responsible for the fabrication of limited common orthotic/prosthetic components or devices. GS-7 Orthotist/Prosthetist Qualifications: Developmental Level Experience. One year of creditable experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level, and in addition the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases. 2. Knowledge of psychology and age-related competency. 3. Knowledge of materials science including materials such as plastics, composites, metals, and leather commonly used in fabrication. 4. Ability to use hand and power tools in the fabrication of devices. 5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. Assignment. Assignments at this grade level represent a developmental level where the individual continues developing the more complex knowledge, skills, and abilities to prepare for substantially independent functioning at the GS-9 grade level. Individual is responsible for the design, fabrication and fitting of orthotic/prosthetic devices for common disability levels. Supervision is close for developmental assignments and more general in nature for assignments for which the individual has demonstrated competency. The supervisor is present at final fittings. GS-9 Orthotist/Prosthetist Qualifications Education. Education equivalent to 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree in orthotics and/or prosthetics, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the core competencies for GS-9 level assignment. OR, Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level which demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to provide orthotic/prosthetic services in a hospital setting. In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to attend clinics and participate as a member of the treatment team. This includes knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age-related competencies. 2. Knowledge of the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). 3. Ability to conduct clinical patient analyses such as gait, range of motion, life style, etc., for patients with complex but typical conditions. 4. Ability to take necessary measurements, casts, or scans to develop positive molds of the affected area of the body to create orthoses and/or prostheses. Assignments. Employees at this level perform a broad range of orthotic and prosthetic services designing custom devices using standard components to optimize patient performance for difficult and complex but typical conditions. Individual performs a limited assessment of the patient to obtain an understanding of the patient's orthotic and/or prosthetic needs. GS-11 Orthotist/Prosthetist Qualifications: Full Performance Level Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to provide orthotic/prosthetic services in a hospital setting. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to attend clinics and participate as a fully participating member of the treatment team with considerable influence in the development of the treatment plan. This includes advanced knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age related competencies. 2. Ability to conduct clinical patient analyses such as gait, range of motion, life style, etc., for patients with a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications, and to design unique or innovative devices to accommodate those conditions. 3. Ability to recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications. Assignments. This is considered to be the full performance level. The orthotist/prosthetist communicates and interacts with physicians, allied health professionals, patients, and caregivers in various interdisciplinary clinical settings, rehabilitation medicine, orthopedics, neurosurgery, vascular care, podiatry, oncology, etc., as a subject matter expert to develop the orthotic and/or prosthetic treatment plan. Individual performs a comprehensive examination, assessment, and treatment plan to meet the patient's needs. References: VA Handbook 5005/91, Part II, Appendix G32. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Carl T Hayden Veterans' Administration Medical Center 650 East Indian School Road Phoenix, AZ 85012 US
• Name: Stacy Cole
• Phone: 000-000-0000
• Email: [email protected]