The Orthotist/Prosthetist functions primarily in the Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory Section of the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service. The incumbent provides the appropriate orthotic and/or prosthetic devices and treatment to patients ensuring on time service.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to: Performs a comprehensive assessment of the patient to obtain an understanding of the patients' orthotic/prosthetic needs. Reviews patient's prescription/referral. Takes a comprehensive patient history, including demographic characteristics, patient expectations and results of diagnostic evaluations. Assists in formulating the treatment plan by performing a diagnosis-specific functional clinical examination. Consults with other health care professionals and caregivers about patient's condition to assist in formulating a treatment plan. Communicates with patient and/or caregiver about the recommended treatment plan, and any optional plans, to involve them in orthotic or prosthetic care; include disclosure of potential risks/benefits. Verifies patient care by documenting history, ongoing care and follow-up, using established record-keeping techniques. Refers patient, if appropriate, to other health care professionals. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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: Must have a bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program(Requires provide transcripts). OR, Must have a bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program.(requires provide transcripts) 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.(Requires provide proof of certification). English Language Proficiency: Orthotists, prosthetists, or orthotist/prosthetists must be proficient in spoken and written as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grandfathering Provision. Orthotists, prosthetists, or orthotist/prosthetists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (1) Orthotists, prosthetists, or orthotist/prosthetists that do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. (4) If an employee who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: To qualify at the GS-11 level, you must have one year specialized experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-09 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: a. 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. b. 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. c. Ability to recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications. Preferred Experience: At least 1 year of experience in providing direct patient care independently to include fitting, delivering, casting, modifying and other actions related to artificial limb care and custom bracing. At least 1 year experience related to evaluating patients and formulating treatment goals and expected orthotic/prosthetic outcomes. At least 1 year of experience related to billing and coding of artificial limbs and custom bracing. At least 1 year of experience in documenting medical notes and charting. References: VA Handbook 5005/91, Part II, APPENDIX G32. ORTHOTIST/PROSTHETIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-667, Dated March 21, 2017. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Work requires movement throughout the medical center, standing, bending, sitting, reaching and lifting up to 50 pounds. There exists prolonged periods of working at computer terminal. Ability to retrieve equipment from a storage room is required. Climbing associated with stocking of equipment and other items in storage areas is necessary. Normal safety precautions are utilized as appropriate for office, hospital and warehouse settings. The work involves moderate discomfort when visiting sites away from the office. At times the employee may be required to wear personal protective equipment (i.e. mask and gown) when visiting work areas with other environmental exposures including the wheelchair repair shop or Orthotic Laboratory.

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 San Diego VA Medical Center 3350 La Jolla Village Drive San Diego, CA 92161 US
• Name: Maria Quiles
• Phone: (352) 278 - 0482
• Email: [email protected]