The Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist works as a team member of the Prosthetics department within the Atlanta VA Health Care System. The work requires a specialized knowledge of the medical and psychological problems directly related to the use of prosthetic/orthotic devices and a specialized knowledge and understanding of the fabrication and satisfactory fitting of prosthetic devices

Duties

Duties: 1. The staff Prosthetist/Orthotist conducts detailed patient assessments to include gait analysis, range of motion, coordination and balance, and motor skills; interviews patients for lifestyle assessments; and can recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions. 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 and provides information on standard and stock items which are readily available; is a member of the treatment team and contributes to the development of the treatment plan. The incumbent has 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 of the affected area of the body to crate orthoses and/or prostheses. 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. Other Duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 0800am-430pm. May be required to work some weekends and holidays. Schedule can change based on the facility needs. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 53799F 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Certification: Must be board certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) or the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC) as a prosthetist, or Orthotist, Prosthetist, or Orthotist/Prosthetist. Education: Must possess a bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program. OR A bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program. 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 above, you must meet the grade determinations below. GS- 11 Level: You must possess one year of experience as an Orthotist/Prosthetist equivalent to the GS- 9 level where you perform a broad range of orthotic and prosthetic services designing custom devices using standard components to optimize patient performance for difficult and complex but typical conditions. Assignments include clinic attendance to provide information on standard and stock items which are readily available. The work involves identification of the biomechanical condition; explaining procedures to patients to reduce anxiety and gain support and cooperation; detailed patient assessment including conducting gait analysis, range of motion, coordination and balance, and motor skills; interviewing patients for lifestyle assessments; taking necessary measurements, casts, or scans to develop positive molds; recognizing physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions; fabricating, fitting, and evaluating these custom devices; and maintenance of the patient's record. AND Can demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. 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. 2. 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. 3. Ability to recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications. References: VA Handbook 5005 VA Qualification Standard Appendix G32.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS- 11. Physical Requirements: Work requires regular and recurring physical exertion in standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking. Sitting is required in meetings and for conducting administrative work. Work may require physical health, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity.

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 Atlanta VA Medical Center 1670 Clairmont Road Decatur, GA 30033 US
• Name: Tamera Pryor
• Phone: 205-454-2575
• Email: [email protected]