The Orthotist-Prosthetist (Advanced Practitioner) must possess the ability to deal effectively with individuals and groups and to adjust to difficult or stressful situations. This work requires a specialized knowledge of the medical and psychological problems directly related to the use of prosthetic devices; and a specialized knowledge and understanding of the fabrication and satisfactory fitting of prosthetic devices.

Duties

VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ Major duties include, but are not limited to: Follows established regulations and procedures to insure patient privacy. Identifies biomechanical condition. Conducts gait analysis, range of motion, coordination and balance, motor skills, and clinical assessment studies in accordance with occupational principles for unusual conditions, multiple complex interrelated conditions, etc. Interviews patients to determine expectations, lifestyle, home/work environment, ability to use the device. Takes necessary measurements, casts or scans to develop positive molds of the affected area of the body, which are used to create the orthosis and/or prosthesis. Recognizes physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life-threatening implications. Assesses patient for indications/contra-indications of appropriate treatment protocols and discusses the assessment with the physician/requesting provider for purposes of developing the overall treatment plan. Has considerable influence in the development of the plan. Considers new and emerging technologies in designing unique or innovative devices to accommodate or treat a wide range of complex medical conditions, which include unusual problems or complications. Considering the information developed through the assessment as well as time management workload considerations, designs custom devices using standard components to optimize patient performance for difficult and complex conditions; may include CAD/CAM systems. Selects materials and components to be used in fabrication of the device and determines appropriate equipment to be used in fabrication of the device or minor modification to orthotic devices and or goods. Fabricates components, or selects and modifies components, and assembles these into the finished device and or works with commercial vendors on fabrication orders. Working knowledge of CAD/CAM system as appropriate in this process and has the ability to performs preliminary alignment. Fits the device on the patient, assures preliminary alignment, and performs subsequent dynamic alignment. Assesses and/or modifies fit and function of the device as fabricated and makes appropriate modifications to insure optimum patient outcome. Evaluates patient's ability to don/doff the device, provides training to the patient and/or caregiver in its use and maintenance. This may also include training the clinical staff. Explains procedures and processes to the patient to reduce anxiety and gain support and cooperation in all stages of the process. Maintains the patient's record, including the electronic record, in accordance with established Joint Commission Standards, ABC and or BOC best practice recommendations, VA Medical Center and VISN policies Attends professional and manufacturer's training seminars. Completes mandatory training per hospital requirements. Maintains professional credentials and/or competency. Observes appropriate, established infection control guidelines. Follows environmental and occupational safety guidelines. Communicates and interacts with physicians, allied health professionals, patient and caregiver in various interdisciplinary clinical settings as a subject matter expert to develop the O/P treatment plan. (PM&R, Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, vascular, podiatry, oncology, etc.) Conducts in-service training for O/P staff, VSO's, as well as staff in other disciplines regarding O/P technologies. Plans clinical schedule for Orthotics and Prosthetics and assures appropriate staff coverage Conducts site surveys of commercial vendors to insure vendor regulatory compliance Evaluates the ability of a vendor to provide a product Responsible for accreditation compliance as applicable Develops budget plan for lab or artificial limb and orthotics services Manages inventory of stock items, fabrication materials, and components Assures safe workplace considering environmental concerns, OSHA/JOINT COMMISSION regulations Conducts quality assurance activities Participates at National, VISN Prosthetics Integrated Service Line, or local initiatives, intra-agency workgroups and/or committees Serves as technical advisor and subject matter expert Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 08:00 to 16:30 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

All requirements must be met by the closing date of this announcement 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. Education: (1) A bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program. OR, (2) A bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program. 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. English Language Proficiency: Orthotists, prosthetists, or orthotist/prosthetists must be proficient in spoken and written as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). Grade Determinations:GS-12 Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as an orthotist/prosthetist functioning as a full member of the clinical team which includes significant involvement in treatment plan development for the most complex types of conditions. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 1. Knowledge of regulatory requirements established by the ABC, BOC, the National Committee for Orthotic/Prosthetic Education (NCOPE), the International Association of Orthotists and Prosthetists (IAOP), the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP), Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), etc. *2. Knowledge of administrative functions including budget development and management, inventory management, space and workload planning, as well as knowledge of the National Prosthetic Patient Database (NPPD), knowledge of the Prosthetic National Software (PNS) package, Decision Support System (DSS), and knowledge of accreditation requirements for orthotic and prosthetic laboratories and certification requirements for individuals. *3. Ability to analyze data and provide reports using CPRS, Vista, DSS, HCPCS codes and other patient database information. *4. Ability to provide training to orthotists/prosthetists in new technologies and innovations in devices. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G32 Orthotist/Prosthetist Qualification Standard, Veterans Health Administration. Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this position. Questions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application.

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 Royal C Johnson Veterans Memorial Hospital 2501 West 22nd Street Sioux Falls, SD 57105 US
• Name: Jason Arcand
• Phone: 612-629-7118
• Email: [email protected]