Prosthetic Representative (TCF Trainee)

Technical Career Field

The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements. This is a developmental position leading to a GS-07, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. You will ultimately acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-11. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.

Duties and responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to the following:

• Serves as a Prosthetic Representative completing segments of prosthetic and sensory aids assignments, projects, activities, and long-and-short term program goals.
• Performs technical, administrative, and analytical prosthetic related assignments for the PSAS.
• Serves on local facility committees, workgroups, and teams to address a variety of PSAS's issues, initiatives, and projects.
• Works closely with senior PSAS's staff to draft, develop, and implement new local organizational policies, directives, and procedures that are consistent with national policies, procedures, and programs.
• Maintains awareness of VA's, VHA's, and PSAS's requirements by governing bodies, i.e. The Joint Commission (JC), Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC).
• Keeps abreast of current issues in the health care industry and technological advancements.
• Completes contracting and procurement assignments to prepare and authorize purchase orders for a wide variety of prosthetic and orthotic devices.
• Works in collaboration with supervisor to oversee the operation of the Prosthetic, Orthotic and Optical Laboratories.
• Keeps the supervisor informed of procurement/contract issues as they arise.
• Ensures requests for items or services are complete and received under established timeframes.
• Confers independently with contractors, vendors, and other health care workers as needed regarding procurement needs.
• Monitors contracts for compliance with PSAS's statement of work; and receives, analyzes, and completes requests for prosthetic equipment and services.
• Monitors and analyzes PSAS compliance reports, Delayed Order Report, aged credit card transactions, compliance metrics and scorecards.
• Develops tools that monitor VHA's quality assurance program.
• Analyze and interpret data for trends and provide guidance to improve quality assurance, policies and procedures.
• Works in collaboration with supervisor and senior staff to plan, draft, develop, and prepare budget estimates; to develop cost-containment measures for prosthetic equipment and services; to authorize benefit payment and reimbursement.
• Procures materials, supplies, and equipment; familiar with inventory stock and works collaboratively with Supply Chain to provide oversight of prosthetic service inventories; and refers veterans to proper clinical area for evaluation with guidance from supervisor and senior staff.
• Enters every item purchased through and/or billed to ensure proper reporting.
• Conducts data analysis to prepare various VHA and PSAS reports regarding prosthetics and sensory aids.
• Ensures surgical implants are Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved/cleared; collaborates with Supply Chain Management to establish local procedures and to disposition implants appropriately.
• Collaborates with clinical staff when devices and equipment require repair or replacement and takes necessary actions to resolve issues.
• Uses analytical abilities, communication skills, and social awareness to identify, analyze, and resolve routine prosthetic issues or problems to effectively complete assignments.
• Reviews, interprets, and applies laws concerning benefits available to disabled patients. Maintains awareness regarding medical and psychological problems related to patients need to use prosthetic devices.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Critical Skills Incentive (CSI): Not Approved

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized