The Prosthetic Representative serves under the Supervisory Prosthetic Representative (Chief/Assistant Chief) for the purpose of orientation and indoctrination in the specialized functions particular to administration and management of the prosthetic program.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to the following: Assists with the operational goals of the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Program at the local level. Serves as an advisor to clinicians with regard to selection, prescription, and acquisition of prosthetic devices and sources of supply for such devices. Authorizes the purchase, fabrication or repair of prosthetic devices in lieu of the primary Approving Official. Maintain continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic supplies, inspecting their facilities and services and participating in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts. Authorize and prepare purchase orders following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Veterans Affairs Acquisition Regulation (VAAR), National, VISN and NWI policy and procedures. Monitor contracts for compliance to statement of work. Receive, analyze and process requests for prosthetic equipment and services. Identify and select national Health Care Procedural Coding System (HCPCS) codes are entered for every item purchased through and/or billed to ensure proper reporting. Assess and provide technical guidance concerning equipment and benefits to beneficiaries and other health care workers. Analyze, review and evaluate the results of various monitors and databases. Inform Veterans and family on different appliances and services available. Confers with contractors and health care workers. Review medical and administrative files of Veterans to determine eligibility. Interview Veterans and inspect prosthetic equipment /appliances. Authorize benefit payment. Conduct home and vendor visits when needed. Implement Joint Commission standards of care. Participate in team discussions. Serves as technical advisor and subject matter expert. Insure clinic decisions are implemented. Procures material, supplies and equipment as necessary. Helps maintain the Prosthetics Inventory Package (PIP) and the Government Inventory Package (GIP). Issues inventory to Veterans or refers them to the proper clinic for measurement/issue of equipment. Monitors spending against established spending plans. Assure safe work environment and use of safety equipment. Keep abreast with current issues in the health care industry and technological advancements. Assists in implementation of new directives, programs and policies. Is accountable for proper application of National, VISN, NWI and local laws, rules and regulations. Communicate and respond orally or in writing with management, Veterans, vendor and other stakeholders. Participate in amputee clinic, wheelchair clinic and Major Medical Equipment Committee. Helps to resolve conflicts. Cardholders/Approving Officials and A/OPCs are required to have purchase card duties incorporated as a component of their performance plans. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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. Experience and Education: Individual must meet at least one of the requirements below. 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 Education. 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. English Language Proficiency: Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who are not proficient in written and spoken English. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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-05 Prosthetic Representative: Experience: None beyond the basic requirement. GS-07 Prosthetic Representative: Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level, directly related to the position to be filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following 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-09 Prosthetic Representative: Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level, that is directly related to the position to be filled. OR, Education: 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. This course work may have been completed within the degree or in addition to the degree. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following 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 educate 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 Prosthetic Representative: Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level, that is directly related to the position to be filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following 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 program requirements. 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-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Work requires movement throughout the medical center, standing, bending, sitting, reaching, and lifting up to forty five pounds. There exists prolonged periods of working at a computer terminal. Ability to retrieve equipment from a storage room is required. Climbing associated with stocking of equipment and other items in storage areas is necessary. Normal safety precautions are utilized as appropriate for office, hospital, and warehouse settings. The work involves moderate discomfort when visiting sites away from the office. At times the employee may be required to wear personal protective equipment (i.e., mask and gown) when visiting work areas with other environmental exposures including the wheelchair repair shop or Orthotic Laboratory.

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 VHA VISN 20 Human Resources 1601 E. 4TH PLAIN BLVD VANCOUVER, WA 98661-3713 US
• Name: Shayna Lewis
• Phone: 918-577-3080
• Email: Shayna.Lewis@va.gov