The prosthetist orthotist performs a broad range of prosthetic and orthotic services designing custom devices using standard components to optimize patient performance for difficult and complex but typical conditions. Incumbent does attend clinic(s) independently.

Duties

VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ At the full performance the incumbent provides clinical services within all settings of the Lebanon VA Health Care System. The Prosthetist/Orthotist 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. Major duties include but not limited to: 1. The staff prosthetist/orthotist independently performs patient clinical assessments to include gait, range of motion, lifestyle, skin integrity, etc., for patients with a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications and designs unique and innovative devices to accommodate those conditions and comorbidities. 2. The incumbent contributes to the development of prescription criteria for prosthetic and orthotic devices and develops the final coding for all prosthetic limb and custom orthotic device prescriptions while in the clinic at the time of patient evaluation. 3. The prosthetist/orthotist attends clinics as a fully participating member of the treatment team and contributes to the development of the treatment plan. The incumbent has advanced knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age-related competencies. 4. The prosthetist/orthotist is knowledgeable with the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). 5. Incumbent fits prefabricated braces and serves as the subject matter expert for these types of services/products. 6. Incumbent fits, fabricates, adjusts and repairs custom prostheses and orthoses through various methods and materials and measures and fits patients for prefabricated devices. 7. The prosthetist/orthotist measures, casts and scans patients to develop positive molds for custom devices. 8. Prepares negative cast for scanning for the use of digitizer, CAD-CAM software and carver, pouring of plaster/alginate, and shipping. 9. Prepares the positive mold and performs scans, tracing, and impressions of body segments for lamination and/or metal, thermoplastic, thermosetting acrylic or epoxy resins, carbon, fiberglass and nylon. 10. Performs biomechanical/bench alignment, formation of metal components and bench fabrication for prostheses and orthoses. 11. Follows all manufacturers' specifications related to patient safety, lab safety and component safety. 12. Evaluates the final product as to the specifications, trim lines, contours, quality, pleasing cosmetic aesthetics and safety of the item. 13. Submits, packs and ships necessary items as pertaining to the work. 14. The prosthetist/orthotist is an integral member of the PAVE Committee (VHA Directive 1410) and collaborates with podiatrists and amputation care providers. 15. The incumbent completes electronic progress notes on patients assigned, at required intervals. Completes all required documentation of workload, procedure coding, appointments and encounters. 16. The prosthetist/orthotist appropriately utilizes required VA O & P software FLOW-3. 17. The incumbent is compliant with consult management and scheduling guidelines. 18. The incumbent is required to safely and proficiently maintain a safe clinical environment through routine inspection of equipment and physical area and requesting work orders for maintenance and repairs as needed. 19. Follows established practices and reports to supervisor, as promptly as possible, any occupational illness or injury sustained. 20. Demonstrates knowledge, skill and ability to recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations. Maintains current BLS and First Aid certifications. 21. The prosthetist/orthotist completes mandatory training within deadline and attends required meetings. 22. Serves on or chairs work groups, committees, subcommittees and/or teams as assigned. Work Schedule: 08:00am-04:30pm Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Travel: 25% travel is 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: (1) A bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program. (2) A bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program. Graduates of foreign degree programs must have proof of a minimum of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent, as verified through an independent credential evaluation company), with a specialization in orthotics and prosthetics. 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 English 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-12 (Above Full Performance Level) 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. KSA's: (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 Accreitation 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. 5. Ability to manage and supervise employees. (To be used if the assignment is supervisory in nature.) References: VA Handbook 5005-91, Part II, Appendix G32 Dated: March 21, 2017. Physical Requirements: Moderate Lifting, Moderate Carrying, Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Walking, Standing, Kneeling, Repeated Bending, Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Hearing, Mental and Emotional stability

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 Lebanon VA Medical Center 1700 South Lincoln Avenue Lebanon, PA 17042 US
• Name: Tamara Sneed
• Phone: 404-626-7179
• Email: [email protected]