The position is located at the Orlando VA Healthcare System, Orlando Campus in Lake Nona. The orthotist/prosthetist communicates and interacts with physicians, allied health professionals, patients, and caregivers in various interdisciplinary clinical settings, rehabilitation medicine, orthopedics, neurosurgery, vascular care, podiatry, oncology, etc., as a subject matter expert to develop the orthotic and/or prosthetic treatment plan.

Duties

The General responsibilities of the non-Supervisory Orthotist Prosthetist is to provide the most complex clinical and laboratory prosthetic and orthotic services to disable patients. Included in this series such as: Treatment of all amputation levels including upper limb, hip disarticulation levels. Serving as advisor to physicians, therapists and other medical professionals with regard to indication sand contraindications of prosthetics and orthotics componentry, prescription criteria. Authorizing the purchase, fabrication or repair of prosthetic devices. The orthotist/prosthetist primary duties include, but are not limited to: Exercises overall management and operation of programs of orthotics, prosthetics and footwear devices. Assists the professional staff in the treatment and care of seriously disabled veterans to include amputees, spinal cord injury patients, and those with related disabilities requiring the use of orthotic, prosthetic, and footwear devices to take the place of, or assist a part or function of the body which is lost or impaired. Strives for continuous improvement of the use of equipment and funding resources in order to eliminate delays of delivery that reduce hospital days and to expedite rehabilitation of patients so that they may return to their daily lives. Sets up evaluation techniques in order to evaluate current and proposed programs, so as to determine the need for changes or the advantages of new technology or products. Takes responsibility for the overall operating budget of the laboratory including costs of materials, supplies and equipment. Proposes and provides justification for the necessary equipment to support the operation of the laboratory. Continually reviews the overall program as to needs and strives to reduce cost of materials by evaluation of techniques in fabrication and the actual needs of the finished products. Changes procedures on own initiative to improve service or produce a cost savings. Carries out the responsibilities of special clinics including Prosthetic and Orthotic Clinic, ensuring that program goals are met. Responsible for assisting in the prescription of all orthotic and prosthetic devices as a consultant for the Orthopedic, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and Vascular services. Assists in the prescriptions of those same types of devices for Rheumatology, Ambulatory Care, Surgical and General Medicine Services. Assists in the evaluation of the final product as to the specifications of 1he prescriptions, fit and alignment and patient comfort. Fabricates, files, and adjusts preparatory prosthesis. Annotates patient's records with regard to services rendered of treatment provided to comply with Quality Management and JACHO Standard,; and guidelines. Reports any discrepancies directly to the Chief, Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Services, when noted for necessary investigation and follow up. Maintains and records information for reports required by Central Office and Regional Office. Orthotic and Prosthetic training instructor for work-study students. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not suitable for telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 82270F, Non-Supervisory Prosthetics Orthotist /Prosthetist Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 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. 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 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, Orthotist-Prosthetic GS-12 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. Examples of specialized experience include but are not limited to: complex patient analyses in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions, multiple complex conditions, interrelated conditions, etc.; assessment of the patient for indications/contra-indications and discussion of the assessment with the physician/requesting provider for the purpose of developing the overall treatment plan with considerable influence in the development of that plan; consideration of 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. The orthotist/prosthetist at this level is expected to recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications. Additionally, the KSAs at the GS-11 grade level are: 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. 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. Ability to recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications. 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 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. Preferred Experience: Dual Certification in Prosthetics and Orthotics Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. 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. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 for more information.

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 Orlando VA Medical Center 13800 Veterans Way Orlando, FL 32827 US
• Name: Michael Brown
• Phone: 407-631-8495
• Email: [email protected]