The Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service is hiring for one Orthotist-Prosthetist position at the Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System located in Oklahoma City, OK.

Duties

List the major duties and responsibilities of the position. Follows established regulations and procedures to insure patient privacy. Identifies biomechanical condition. Conducts gait analysis, range of motion, coordination and balance, motor skills and clinical assessment studies in accordance with occupational principles for unusual conditions, multiple complex interrelated conditions, etc... Interviews patients to determine expectations, lifestyle, home/work environment, ability to use devices. Takes necessary measurements, casts, or scans to develop positive mold of the affected area of the body, which are used to create the orthosis and/or prosthesis. Recognizes physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life-threatening implications. Assess patient for indications/contra-indications of appropriate treatment protocols and discusses the assessment with the physician/requesting provider for purposes of developing the overall treatment plan (has considerable influence over 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. Considering the information developed through the assessment as well as time management workload considerations, designs custom devices using standard components to optimize patient performance for difficult and complex conditions; may include CAD/CAM systems. Selects materials and components to be used in fabrication of the device and determines appropriate equipment to be used in the fabrication of the device. Fabricates components, or selects and modifies components, and assembles these into the finished device. Uses CAD/CAM system as appropriate in this process and performs preliminary alignment. Fits the device on the patient, assures preliminary alignment, and performs subsequent dynamic alignment. Assesses and/or modifies fit and function of the device as fabricates and makes appropriate modifications to insure optimum patient outcome. Evaluates patient's ability to don/doff the device, provides training to the patient and/or caregiver in its use and maintenance. This may also include training the clinical staff. Explains procedures and processes to the patient to reduce anxiety and gain support and cooperation in all stages of the process. Maintains the patient's record, including the electronic record, in accordance with established JCAHO/ABC/BOC/Medical Center/VISN policies. Attends professional and manufacturer's training seminars. Completes mandatory training per hospital requirements. Maintains professional credentials and/or competency. Observes appropriate, established infection control guidelines. Follows environmental and occupational safety guidelines. Communicates and interacts with physicians, allied health professions, patient and caregiver in various interdisciplinary clinical settings as a subject matter expert to develop the O/P treatments plan. (PM&R, Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Vascular, Podiatry, Oncology, etc.…) Conducts in-service training for O/P staff, VSO's, as well as staff in other disciplines regarding O/P technologies. Provides guidance and direction to lower graded O/P staff. Manages the daily operations of a small to medium lab. Plans clinical schedule for Prosthetics and assures appropriate staff coverages. Conducts site surveys of commercial vendors to insure vendor regulatory compliance. Evaluates the ability of a vendor to provide a product. Responsible for accreditation compliance. Develops short- & long-range plans/goals for the lab in accordance with local, VISN, Headquarters direction. Develops budget plan for lab. Manages inventory of stock items, fabrication materials, and components. Assures safe workplace considering environmental concerns, OSHA/JCAHO regulations. Conducts quality assurance activities. Serving as an advisor to physicians, therapists, and other medical professionals regarding indications and contraindications of prosthetic and orthotic componentry, prescription criteria. Requesting the purchase, fabrication, or repair of prosthetic devices. Maintaining continuous liaison with manufactures and dealers of prosthetic supplies, inspecting their facilities and services, and participating in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts. Participating in the investigative/research project studies by selecting patients as pilot wearers of newly developed prosthetic items, evaluating the usefulness of such items and compiling data. Travels to other locations within the OKC VAHCS up to 25% and maintains current qualifications for the use of government owned vehicles. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 8:00AM - 4:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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) Must have 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) Must have a bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program. 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. English Language Proficiency: Orthotists, prosthetists, or orthotist/prosthetists must be proficient in spoken and written 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 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 KSAs: 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.) References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, APPENDIX G32. ORTHOTIST/PROSTHETIST QUALIFICATION STANDARD GS-667 The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. The actual grade at which an applicant will be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: A physical examination will be conducted based on the physical requirements of the position. A physical examination prior to placement is required.

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 VA Oklahoma City Health Care System 921 Northeast 13th Street Oklahoma City, OK 73104 US
• Name: VISN 19 HR Contact Center
• Phone: 719-227-4600
• Email: [email protected]