The Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist (CPO) works as a team member of the Prosthetics department within the Erie VA Health Care System under the supervision of the Department Program Manager. The incumbent provides clinical services within all settings of the Erie VA Health Care System to include the Health Care Center (HCC), Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (DRRTP), Community Living Center (CLC), and Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC).

Duties

VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ Major duties include but are not limited to: Responsible for oversight of the mobile lab when stationed at the Erie Health Care Center and ensures compliance with regulations and accreditation standards. This includes planning the orthotics and prosthetics clinical schedule, collaborating with contract employees, devising short- and long-range goals in accordance with local, VISN, and VA Central Office direction, and conducting quality assurance activities. Follows all manufacturers' specifications related to patient safety, lab safety and component safety. 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. Assures a safe workplace, considering environmental concerns, OSHA and Joint Commission regulations. Oversees 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 prosthetics software package, Decision Support System (DSS) and knowledge of accreditation requirements for orthotic and prosthetic laboratories and certification requirements for individuals. Performs complex patient analyses in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions, multiple complex and potentially interrelated conditions. Assesses the patient for contraindications and discusses the assessment with the requesting provider for the purpose of developing the overall treatment 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. 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. 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. Attends clinics as a fully participating member of the treatment team and contributes to the development of the treatment plan. Knowledgeable with the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). Fits prefabricated braces and serves as the subject matter expert for these types of services/products. Fits, fabricates, adjusts and repairs custom prostheses and orthoses through various methods and materials and measures and fits patients for prefabricated devices. Measures, casts and scans patients to develop positive molds for custom devices. 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. Performs biomechanical/bench alignment, formation of metal components and bench fabrication for prostheses and orthoses. Follows all manufacturers' specifications related to patient safety, lab safety and component safety. Evaluates the final product as to the specifications, trim lines, contours, quality, pleasing cosmetic aesthetics and safety of the item. Submits, packs and ships necessary items as pertaining to the work. Completes electronic progress notes on patients assigned, at required intervals. Completes all required documentation of workload, procedure coding, appointments and encounters. Compliant with consult management and scheduling guidelines. 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. Follows established practices and reports to supervisor, as promptly as possible, any occupational illness or injury sustained. Recognize and respond appropriately to emergency situations. Completes mandatory training within deadline and attends required meetings. Communicates and interacts with patients and caregivers, as a subject matter expert to develop the orthotic and/or prosthetic treatment plan. Serves on or chairs work groups, committees, subcommittees and/or teams as assigned. Performs other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position 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. Note: 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). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Orthotist/Prosthetist, GS-12 (Above Full Performance Level) Experience: Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level, GS-11 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. Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA's): 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 (*): 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: References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G32 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Duties require extensive periods of standing and walking. Duties require regular and recurring bending, lifting, stooping, stretching, pushing, reaching, and carrying supplies and similar activities. Duties require incumbent to be able to lift supplies and objects weighing as much as 50 pounds. This position requires use of proper body mechanic. Incumbent must be able to work in stressful situations.

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Erie VA Medical Center 135 East 38th Street Erie, PA 16504 US
• Name: Ahsha Konate
• Phone: 412-822-1454
• Email: [email protected]