Orthotist-Prosthetist

Summary

This position functions primarily in the Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory Section of the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service. The Prosthetist/Orthotist provides the appropriate orthotic and/or prosthetic devices and treatment.

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Duties

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VA Careers - Prosthetics :

General duties include but not limited to:

-Comprehensive examination of the patient and assessment of their individual needs and desires

Formulation of a treatment plan.

- Design component selection, measurement/casting of the patient, fabrication, and fitting of the device to the patient.

- Proper documentation of the patient record.

- Continuing care and periodic examination of the patient and the orthotic/prosthetic device to assess fit, function and changing needs of the patient.

-Ability to recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications.

Functions:

A) Performs a comprehensive assessment of the patient to obtain an understanding of the patients orthotic/prosthetic needs such as gait, range of motion, life style, etc.

- Review patient's prescription/referral.

- Communication and documentation on consults to provide detailed information for MSA to use regarding scheduling.

- Take a comprehensive patient history, including demographic characteristics, family dynamics, previous use of an orthosis/prosthesis, diagnosis, work history, vocational activities, signs and symptoms, medical history (including allergies to materials),reimbursement status, patient expectations, and results of diagnostic evaluations.

B) Create a comprehensive orthotic/prosthetic treatment plan to meet the needs and goals of the patient:

- Formulate treatment goals and expected orthotic/prosthetic outcomes to reduce pain/increase comfort, enhance function and independence, provide stability, prevent deformity, address cosmesis and/or promote healing.

- Consult with physician/referral source to modify, if necessary, the original prescription and/or treatment plan.

C) Perform the necessary procedures to deliver the appropriate orthotic/prosthetic services, which may include fabrication of the orthosis/prosthesis:

- Inform patient, family and/or caregiver of the orthotic/prosthetic procedure, possible risks and time involved in the procedure.

- Select appropriate material/techniques to implement treatment plan.

- Provide patient with preparatory care for orthotic/prosthetic treatment (e.g.,- diagnostic splint, residual limb shrinker).

D) Provide continuing patient care and periodic evaluation to assure/maintain/document optimal fit and function of the orthosis/prosthesis:

- Solicit subjective feedback from patient and/or caregiver to determine status (e.g., wear schedule/tolerance, comfort, perceived benefits, perceived detriments, ability to don and doff, proper usage and function, overall patient satisfaction).

.- Assess patient's functional level.

- Assess patient's skin condition (e.g., integrity, color, temperature, volume).

- Assess patient's general health, height, and weight, and note any changes.

E) Complies with policies, procedures and regulations regarding human resource management, physical environment management, business/financial management and organizational management:

- Adheres to established policies and procedures in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations as well as professional and ethical guidelines (e.g., FDA, ADA,OSHA, MSDS, ABC and BOC.)

- Personnel policies and procedures (e.g., benefits, training, incentives, staff recognition, regular performance appraisals).

F) Participate in personal and professional development through continuing education, training, research and organizational affiliations:

- Participates in continuing education and/or provide such education for other health care professionals, orthotic and prosthetic practitioners, associates, technicians, and office staff(e.g., publications, seminars, case studies).

- Participates in education for residents, students, and trainees.

- Participates in product development research, clinical trials, and outcome evaluation studies.

Work Schedule : Monday - Friday, 8:00a.m-4:30p.m.

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # 91652-0

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements ( Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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.
• Education:
• (1) 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) A bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program.
• Foreign Graduates . Graduates of foreign degree programs must have proof of a minimum of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent, as verified through an independent credential evaluation company), with a specialization in orthotics and prosthetics.
• 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/Prosthetist GS-11:

Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to provide orthotic/prosthetic services in a hospital setting.

AND

• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities . In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
• 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.

Preferred Experience: 2 years experience at the GS9 level.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements:

Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects. This could include moving objects such as pieces of equipment and assistance in moving clients which includes:

• Reaching: This position requires use of the arms to include movement away from the body.
• Standing: This position frequently requires standing to perform duties.
• Walking: This position requires frequent moving about on foot.
• Lifting: Lifting of equipment or supplies not to exceed 50 pounds is required of this position.
• Fingering/hands: This position requires: hands on contact with veterans as it relates to the provision.
• Talking: This position requires the incumbent to verbally communicate instructions.
• Hearing: This position requires constant perception of sounds at normal range, including the reception of oral communication both in person and over the phone.
• Vision: This position requires constant ability to see near and far.
• Balancing: This position requires constant maintenance of equilibrium.
• Bending: This position requires frequent bending at the knees.
• Kneeling: This position requires occasional bending of legs at knee to come to a rest or kneel.
• Crouching: this position requires occasional bending of the body downward and forward.
• Pushing: This position requires occasional use of the upper extremities to press against something.
• Pulling: this position requires occasional use of the upper extremities to exert force.
• Carrying: This position occasionally requires the use of upper extremities.

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: 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:

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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