The Primary Purpose of the Position is: To function as a Supervisory Orthotist, Prosthetist or Orthotist-Prosthetist at the above full performance level. Will administer, or perform work concerned with providing clinical and laboratory prosthetic and orthotic services to disabled patients. Will supervise clinical and technical O&P staff, below practitioner level, as well as wheelchair repair staff.

Duties

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until Nov 28, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be December 6, 2023, with subsequent cut-off dates every two weeks until 11/28/2024. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Applicants who are referred will be considered for 90 days, after 90 days applicants will have to reapply. A Supervisory Orthotist Prosthetist at this level must have analytical ability, social awareness, leadership skills, tact, and diplomacy, and good communication skills. He/she must possess knowledge of established management principles, concepts and methodology to identify, analyze and resolve managerial and administrative issues or problems of a procedural or factual nature. The Orthotist Prosthetist at this level must be able to anticipate the need for action. He/she must also possess the ability to deal effectively with individuals and groups and to adjust to difficult or stressful situations. Acts as the deputy for the Orthotic-Prosthetic Lab Chief in his/her absence Assists with planning, developing, and directing an Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory and related clinical activities at the national, VISN or local level Assists with managing O&P clinicians and residents Assists with directing O&P Lab workflow, including O&P clinics in the surrounding CBOCs Serves as an advisor to physicians, therapists and other medical professionals with regard to indications and contraindications of prosthetic and orthotic componentry, prescription criteria Authorizes the purchase, fabrication or repair of prosthetic devices Maintains continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic supplies, inspecting their facilities and services and participating in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts Participates in investigative/research project studies by selecting patients as pilot wearers of newly developed prosthetic items, evaluating the usefulness of such items and compiling of data Gives technical and administrative advice and assistance on prosthetic problems to other facilities. Work Schedule: Mon- Friday 8am-430pm Telework: Not Available 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

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. 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. 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 below. 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. 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. Ability to analyze data and provide reports using CPRS, Vista, DSS, HCPCS codes and other patient database information. Ability to provide training to orthotists/prosthetists in new technologies and innovations in devices. Ability to manage and supervise employees. (To be used if the assignment is supervisory in nature.) Preferred Experience: Current or potential for dual certification at the practitioner level in Orthotics and Prosthetics 3+years' experience post certification History of managing an O&P clinic and supervising clinical staff Knowledge of and experience with obtaining/maintaining ABC Facility Accreditation NCOPE Approved Clinical Mentor certification Familiarity with VA Administrative and Medical Record operating systems (e.g., Vista, CPRS FLOW3, APAT) Telehealth experience References: VA Handbook 5005/91, Part II, Appendix G-32 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements:: Moderate carrying (15-44 lbs); straight Pulling (1/2 hour); pulling hand over hand (1/2 hour); pushing (1/2 hour); reaching above shoulder, use of fingers, both hands required; walking (3 hours); standing (2 hours); crawling (5 mins); kneeling (10 mins); repeated bending (1/2 hour); near vision correctable to 13" to 16" to Jaeger 1 to 4; far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 in the other; have sight; depth perceptions; ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors, hearing aid permitted.

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.

The bachelor's degree (or higher) in orthotics and prosthetics must be fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP).

If the bachelor's degree or higher is in any major, the post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate must be from a CAAHEP accredited program. https://www.caahep.org/If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

If your school was accredited by CAAHEP at the time of graduation, but is no longer listed on the CAAHEP website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Contacts

• Address Dallas VA Medical Center 4500 South Lancaster Road Dallas, TX 75216 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]