Orthotist - services

Prosthetics And Sensory Aides Service Line
This position functions primarily as a clinical staff member in the VISN 2 Prosthetics and Sensory Aides Service Line. Although our staff are assigned to specific primary duty stations at the facility level, our staff are not employed by that facility and rather works for the VISN.
1) Performs a comprehensive assessment of the patient to obtain an understanding of the patients orthotic/prosthetic needs:

Review patient's prescription/referral
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.
Assist in formulating the treatment plan by performing a diagnosis-specific functional clinical examination, including manual muscle-testing, gait assessment and evaluation of sensory function, cognitive ability, range of motion, joint stability, skin integrity and compliance.
Consult with other health care professionals and caregivers about patient's condition to assist in formulating a treatment plan.
Communicate with patient and/or caregiver about the recommended treatment plan, and any optional plans, to involve them in orthotic or prosthetic care; include disclosure of potential risks/benefits.
Verify patient care by documenting history, ongoing care and follow-up, using established record-keeping techniques.
Refer patient, if appropriate, to other health care professionals (e.g., psychologist, therapist, physician) for intervention beyond orthotic/prosthetic scope of practice.
2) Create a comprehensive orthotic/prosthetic treatment plan to meet the needs and goals of the patient:

Evaluate the findings to determine an orthotic/prosthetic recommendation.
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.
Identify material, design and components to support anticipated outcome.
Develop a plan for patient needs, including patient education and follow-up.
Document treatment plan using established record-keeping techniques to verify patient care.
3) 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).
Prepare patient for procedure required to initiate treatment plan (e.g., take impression, digitize, delineate, scan)
Implement procedure (e.g., take impression, digitize, delineate, scan).
Select appropriate materials, components and specifications for orthosis/prosthesis based on patient criteria to ensure optimum strength, durability and function as required (e.g., choose ankle or knee joints, feet, knee units; choose material of components, lamination lay-ups).
Consult technical component/material resources as required.
Prepare delineation/impression/template for modification/fabrication (e.g., prepare impression/reverse delineation, seal and fill impression/pour cast, digitize, strip model, download shape to carver or modification software).
Modify and prepare patient model for fabrication.
Fabricate/assemble prescribed device by assembling selected materials/components to prepare for fitting and/or delivery (e.g., laminate/vacuum-form, remove socket/orthosis from model, smooth and finish orthosis/prosthesis, contour side bars to model/delineation, smooth and finish sidebars, bench align components to socket, strap orthosis/prosthesis as necessary, perform final assembly of orthosis/prosthesis for patient fitting/delivery).
Assess/align orthosis/prosthesis for accuracy in sagittal, transverse and coronal planes to provide maximum function/comfort.
Work Schedule: 08:00-16:30 Monday-Friday
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 21J24-A