Orthotist​/Prosthetist - Advanced Practitioner

Overview

The Orthotist/Prosthetist - Advanced Practitioner functions as a Mobile Prosthetic and Orthotic Care (MoPOC) program clinician. They are responsible for the clinical care needs, administrative oversight, and accreditation compliance for the local VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) served, and for independently managing and operating a small mobile lab out of a specialized vehicle (Ford Transit 350). The person in this position works on a 4 day a week schedule for 10 hours a day.

• 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 bachelors degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program
• OR - (2) a bachelors 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 Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent) 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
• The board certificate must be current and the applicant must abide by continuing education requirements
• Certification as a technician, pedorthist, assistant, or fitter does not meet this requirement
• English Language Proficiency
• Orthotists-prosthetists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d)
• Grade Determinations:
  In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:
  Orthotist/Prosthetist GS-12 Experience
• Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as an orthotist/prosthetist functioning as a full member of the clinical team with significant involvement in treatment plan development for complex conditions
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA and the potential to acquire assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
  Knowledge of regulatory requirements established by ABC, BOC, NCOPE, IAOP, AAOP, JCAHO, and other bodies
• * Knowledge of administrative functions including budget development and management, inventory management, space and workload planning, and knowledge of the National Prosthetic Patient Database (NPPD), Prosthetic National Software (PNS), Decision Support System (DSS), and accreditation requirements for laboratories and individual certification
• * Ability to analyze data and provide reports using CPRS, Vista, DSS, HCPCS codes, and other patient data
• * Ability to provide training to orthotists/prosthetists in new technologies and innovations in devices
• * 5 years (or equivalent) of experience
• Ability to manage and supervise employees
• (To be used if the assignment is supervisory in nature.)
  
  Preferred Experience:
  
  Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist with at least 3 years clinical experience; experience providing mobile care preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). Standards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements:
  
  Required to operate a motor vehicle
• Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation
• May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing
• May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening
• Work Environment:
  Office/clinic setting with normal safety precautions; adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated

• Major duties include driving from SLVHCS to the CBOCs in a specialized vehicle (Ford Transit 350) equipped as a mobile orthotics and prosthetics workshop/lab three days a week
• Visiting Veterans at home who cannot access care in other ways
• Devoting at least 25% of care for Veterans with the most clinically complex needs (e.g., multiple limb amputations, mobility disability from diagnoses such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and stroke)
• Completing administrative duties such as budget development, inventory and resource management, overseeing the orthotic and prosthetic schedule, setting short- and long-range goals, and conducting quality assurance activities
• Working complex patient analyses in accordance with established procedures for unusual or multiple complex conditions
• Assessing patient indications/contraindications and discussing assessment with the physician/requesting provider to develop the overall treatment plan
• Considering new technologies in designing devices to accommodate or treat complex conditions
• Providing…