Orthotist-Prosthetist

This is an open continuous announcement and will remain open until June3 2026. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available.

VA Careers - Prosthetics: is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and may be taken down at any time. Applications will be reviewed and referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled.

Duties of the Orthotist/Prosthetist may include but are not limited to:

• Assists 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.
• Consults with other health care professionals and caregivers about patients condition to assist in formulating a treatment plan.
• Communicates 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.
• Verifies patient care by documenting history ongoing care and follow-up using established record-keeping techniques.
• Refers patient if appropriate to other health care professionals (e.g. psychologist therapist physician) for intervention beyond orthotic/prosthetic scope of practice.
• Formulates 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.
• Identifies appropriate materials components and specifications for orthosis/prosthesis based on patient criteria to ensure optimum strength durability and function as required.
• Prepares delineation/impression/template for modification/fabrication.
• Assesses devices for structural safety and ensure that manufacturers guidelines have been followed prior to patient fitting/delivery.
• Completes fabrication process after achieving optimal fit of orthosis/prosthesis.
• Educates/counsels patient and/or caregiver about the use and maintenance of the orthosis/prosthesis.
• Develops a plan for patient needs including patient education and follow-up.

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.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

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.

• A bachelors degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program.

• A bachelors degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program.
• 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 bodys 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).

• Orthotists prosthetists or orthotist/prosthetists that do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level or demoted within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation.
• If an employee who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

1. Knowledge of medical terminology anatomy physiology biomechanics kinesiology physics and etiology of diseases.
2. Knowledge of psychology and age-related competency.
3. Knowledge of materials science including materials such as plastics composites metals and leather commonly used in fabrication.
4. Ability to use hand and power tools in the fabrication of devices.
5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing.

1. Ability to attend clinics and participate as a member of the treatment team. This includes knowledge of medical terminology anatomy physiology biomechanics kinesiology physics and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age-related competencies.
2. Knowledge of the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).
3. Ability to conduct clinical patient analyses such as gait range of motion life style etc. for patients with complex but typical conditions.
4. Ability to take necessary measurements casts or scans to develop positive molds of the affected area of the body to create orthoses and/or prostheses.

• 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.