This position is located within the Department of Veteran Affairs, VHA, Pittsburgh Pa, Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS). PSAS provides support to optimize health and independence of the Veteran services provided within various settings. The Prosthetic Representative works on various prosthetic and sensory aids programmatic assignments.

Duties

Serves as a Prosthetic Representative completing a variety of prosthetic and sensory aids assignments, projects, activities to meet long and short term goals. Performs technical, administrative and analytical prosthetic related assignments. Assists with applications and questions related to benefit programs, provides recommendations to treatment team regarding development of prescriptions. Addresses complex patient medical and rehabilitative needs for equipment, services and benefits. Serves as a representative on committees, workgroups and teams. Conducts visits to VISNs and VHA locations to collect, review and analyze best practices. Drafts, develops and implements new policies, directives and procedures. Maintains awareness of requirements of governing bodies, i.e., Joint Commission, Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, American Board for Certifications in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics. Completes technical, programmatic and administrative duties. Provides training, advice and guidance related to administrative functions including statistics, data analysis, budgeting, contacting, procurement, inventory management, human resources, logistics/space, equipment and supplies. oversees operation of optical laboratories, including restoration activities. Completes contracting and procurement assignments. Prepares and authorize purchase orders. Provides status reports. Monitors and ensures requests for services are completed, confers with contractors, vendors and other health care workers. Provides oversight and management of contracts. Monitors and analyzes compliance reports, delayed order report, aged credit card transactions, compliance metric and scorecards. Develops tools that monitor quality assurance programs. Develop and prepare budget estimates, cost containment measures for equipment and services, authorized benefit payment. Procures materials, supplies and equipment. Identifies and selects CMS/Health Care Procedural Coding System codes. Reviews interprets and applies laws concerning benefits available to disabled patients. Authorizes the purchase, fabrication, fitting or repair of prosthetic devices. Prepares minutes and/or correspondence to veterans, health care officials. Responds to inquiries related to concerns, contractors, congressional, home O2 program issues. Informs veterans on appliances and services available. Coordinates specialty programs, which include clothing allowance, home O2 program, automobile adaptive equipment, home improvement and structural alterations, etc. Conducts home and vendor visits, to authorize benefit payment, reimbursement and contract compliance. Works closely with management on human resource actions. Provides training to PSASs employees and participates in public relations, i.e., lectures, town halls and in-sevices. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:00am - 3:30pm Compressed/Flexible:not authorized Telework: Authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Prosthetic Representative GS- 672 - 7/9/11 - 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required References: VA Handbook 5005/94, Part II, Appendix G34 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-7 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work are generally minor. The work is primarily sedentary and is usually accomplished while seated at a desk or table (4-6 hrs.). Some walking and standing (1 hr.) may occur in the course of a normal workday in connection with attendance at meetings, conferences, receiving, stocking, delivering equipment or while researching files. The inspection of equipment at the vendor warehouse might require some moving and lifting of government equipment for verification. Items carried typically are light objects although occasional lifting of moderately heavy objects may occur (1-50 lbs.). There is regular and recurring exposure to moderate discomforts such as level of noise in the assigned areas, high temperatures, or other adverse conditions. Work is in a health care environment with the possibility of coming into contact with ill and diseased patients, and/or contact with returned inventory from veterans with contagious disease, requiring practice of Universal Safety Precautions.

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Experience. One year of creditable experience that demonstrates: Knowledge of basic anatomy and medical terminology; knowledge of accounting methods; ability to research, analyze, comprehend, and apply decisions; basic knowledge of inventory management procedures; ability to use computer software packages for word processing, spreadsheet development, and database management; and ability to work independently and as a member of a team; or A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution AND at least 24 semester hours in course work related to health care, public administration, or business. The 24 semester hours could include but is not limited to any combination from the following fields: occupational therapy, physical therapy, kinesiotherapy, social work, psychology, prosthetics, orthotics, respiratory therapy, assistive technology, business law, leadership, healthcare, public administration, or business management. This course work may have been completed within the degree or in addition to the degree; or Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. 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: GS: 7 - In addition to the basic requirement listed above must also fully demonstrate one year experience at the next lower grade level GS-05, directly related to the position to be filled. At this level Prosthetic Representative receives training and instruction to develop proficiency in essential occupational tasks. The work is performed under close supervision. In addition to the experience above, my resume clearly demonstrates all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 1. Ability to understand and apply processes, procedures, regulations and laws as it applies to purchasing and the provision of prosthetic items/services. 2. Ability to coordinate multiple requests for durable medical equipment (DME), including repairs, services and benefits. 3. Ability to act as a liaison with and work effectively with health care providers, patients, caregivers, and vendors to ensure that the most appropriate device and services are received timely. 4. Ability to monitor contractors and vendors for compliance with contract requirements. GS: 9 Experience/Education - In addition to the basic requirement listed above, must also fully demonstrate one year experience at the next lower grade level GS-07, directly related to the position to be filled. At this level, responsibilities include interaction with Veterans, caregivers and clinical staff by answering questions related to benefit programs such as automobile adaptive equipment, home improvement and structural alterations, and clothing allowance programs. Addresses questions about prosthetic items, home care equipment, benefits or service issues, to include discharge planning requirements. Ensure requests for items or services are complete and received in accordance with established timeframes. Work may include authorizing and preparing purchase orders for a wide variety of prosthetic and orthotic devise, medical supplies and home medical equipment and repairs. Orders exceeding the micro purchase threshold, they may conduct market research, price history review, complete justification and approval, and submit to the contracting department. Ensure correct Healthcare Common Procedure Codes are entered into appropriate databases. Ensure surgical implants are FDA approved; shipped to retain product integrity; delivered to correct location; and received before for the surgical procedure. Collaborate with clinical staff when devices and equipment requires repair or replacement and takes necessary actions to resolve issues. OR Education: equivalent to two full years of progressively higher level graduate education or Master's or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited educational institution AND at least 24 semester hours in course work related to health care, public administration, or business. The 24 semester hours may include, but is not limited to any combination from the following fields: occupational therapy, physical therapy, kinesiotherapy, social work, psychology, prosthetics, orthotics, respiratory therapy, assistive technology, business law, leadership, healthcare, public administration, or business management. In addition to the experience above, my resume clearly demonstrates all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 1. Knowledge of methods to identify trends and causation factors sufficient to analyze prepared data and gather information to inform and advise management. 2. Ability to organize, prioritize and monitor actions to ensure timeliness. 3. Ability to understand and articulate the benefits program options available. This includes communicating with patients, caregivers, health care providers and vendors. 4. Ability to apply and education others about national, VISN, and facility directives, policies, procedures and regulations. 5. Ability to work effectively with a clinical team and provide recommendations for prosthetic devices. GS:11 Experience - In addition to the basic requirement listed above, must also fully demonstrate one year experience at the next lower grade level GS-09, directly related to the position to be filled. At this level the Prosthetic Representative works directly with Veterans and clinical teams to assist with applications for benefits related to programs such as automobile adaptive equipment, home improvement and structural alterations, and clothing allowance programs. Ensures devise, equipment and services are based on the patient's rehabilitative and medical needs. Work closely with the treatment team in development of prescriptions and provide technical assistance and guidance to assist in planning and coordination to obtain equipment, services and benefits. Conducts home visits, in collaboration with other healthcare providers to determine if requested equipment is appropriate or can be installed in the home. Familiar with national, VISN and facility contracts and responsible for providing management with documentation pertaining to contract compliance issues or concerns. This includes working with clinical staff to create quality improvement reports. Works closely with the clinical teams to assist in identifying products available on contract that meet the medical needs of patients. They analyze and interpret data for trends and provide guidance to improve quality assurance, policies and procedures. In addition to the experience above, my resume clearly demonstrates all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 1. Ability to work independently to set priorities; delegate tasks; meet multiple deadlines; analyze organizational problems; and develop and implement effective solutions to optimize quality, efficiency, performance and productivity. 2. Ability to work with a team, to provide technical guidance, plan, organize, and coordinate activities to effectively complete job duties of assignment, such as distributing workload, and monitoring the accuracy, status and progress of work. 3. Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, both orally and in writing, to meet program objectives. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels. 4. Ability to assist in staff development, outcome management, and strategic planning. 5. Ability to act as liaison between staff to resolve informal employee complaints and concerns. 6. Knowledge of rehabilitative treatment goals and strategies that are unique to patients in specialized programs and knowledge of those specific programs requirements.

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 Pittsburgh VA Medical Center 1010 Delafield Road Pittsburgh, PA 15215 US
• Name: Christene Ammoscato
• Phone: (570) 824-3521 X24536
• Email: [email protected]