Prosthetic Representative

• Plans develops and directs a large prosthetic and sensory aids program.
• Customer Service Skills.
• Serves as technical advisor to physicians with regard to selection prescription and acquisition of prosthetic/orthotic devices.
• Counsels and advises patients their families and representatives regarding eligibility for the use of prosthetic and sensory aids.
• Interprets prescriptions of medical officers in order to make certain that proper prosthetic/orthotic devices are selected for or by the patients.
• Authorizes the purchase fabrication or repair of prosthetic/orthotic devices.
• Maintains liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic/orthotic supplies services and inspecting their facilities.
• Participates in investigative studies by selecting patients as pilot wearers of newly developed prosthetic items evaluates the usefulness of such items and prepares data for the research projects in conjunction with VA Program Officials OVA Research and Development and/or private manufacturers.
• And as necessary serves as a technical subject matter expert and provides assistance with prosthetic problems to outlying facilities.
• Manage inventory in the warehouse and provide oversight at DME vendor locations.
• Responsible for national contract compliance for inventory.
• Must be able to purchase inventory.
• Must be able to operate the government inventory package and prosthetic advance procurement acquisition tool (APAT).

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 54937-F; 54938-F; 54939-F; 54940-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 drivers licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• 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 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.
• Experience and Education. Individual must meet at least one of the requirements below.
• Experience. One year of creditable experience that demonstrates: Knowledge of basic anatomy and medical terminology; knowledge of accounting methods; ability to research analyze comprehend and apply decisions; basic knowledge of inventory management procedures; ability to use computer software packages for word processing spreadsheet development and database management; and ability to work independently and as a member of a team; or
• Education. A bachelors degree from an accredited educational institution AND at least 24 semester hours in course work related to health care public administration or business. The 24 semester hours could include but is not limited to any combination from the following fields: occupational therapy physical therapy kinesiotherapy social work psychology prosthetics orthotics respiratory therapy assistive technology business law leadership healthcare public administration or business management. This course work may have been completed within the degree or in addition to the degree; or
• Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
• Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a Prosthetic Representative on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.
• Foreign Education. To be creditable education completed outside the United States must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to experience gained in conventional United States programs.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74 to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who are not proficient in written and spoken English. See Chapter 2 section D paragraph 5a this part.

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:GS-5 Prosthetic Representative (Entry Level)

• Experience. None beyond the basic requirement.
• Assignment. Assignments at this grade level are entry level trainee in nature where the individual receives developmental assignments designed to build upon the base knowledge skills and abilities. At this level the Prosthetic Representative receives training and instruction to develop proficiency in essential occupational tasks. The work is performed under close supervision.

GS-7 Prosthetic Representative (Developmental Level)

• addition to the basic requirements one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level directly related to the position to be filled.

Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Ability to understand and apply processes procedures regulations and laws as it applies to purchasing and the provision of prosthetic items/services.
• Ability to coordinate multiple requests for durable medical equipment (DME) including repairs services and benefits.
• Ability to act as a liaison with and work effectively with health care providers patients caregivers and vendors to ensure that the most appropriate device and services are received timely.
• Ability to monitor contractors and vendors for compliance with contract requirements.

GS-9 Prosthetic Representative (Developmental level) Experience. In addition to the basic requirements one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level that is directly related to the position to be filled. OR Education. Education equivalent to two full years of progressively higher level graduate education or Masters or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited educational institution AND at least 24 semester hours in course work related to health care public administration or business. The 24 semester hours may include but is not limited to any combination from the following fields: occupational therapy physical therapy kinesiotherapy social work psychology prosthetics orthotics respiratory therapy assistive technology business law leadership healthcare public administration or business management. This course work may have been completed within the degree or in addition to the degree.

Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities.

In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of methods to identify trends and causation factors sufficient to analyze prepared data and gather information to inform and advise management.
• Ability to organize prioritize and monitor actions to ensure timeliness.
• Ability to understand and articulate the benefits program options available. This includes communicating with patients caregivers health care providers and vendors.
• Ability to apply and educate others about national VISN and facility directives policies procedures and regulations.
• Ability to work effectively with a clinical team and provide recommendations for prosthetic devices.

GS-11 Prosthetic Representative (Full Performance Level) Experience. In addition to the basic requirements one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level that is directly related to the position to be filled. Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs.

• Ability to work independently to set priorities; delegate tasks; meet multiple deadlines; analyze organizational problems; and develop and implement effective solutions to optimize quality efficiency performance and productivity.
• Ability to work with a team to provide technical guidance plan organize and coordinate activities to effectively complete job duties of assignment such as distributing workload; and monitoring the accuracy status and progress of work.
• Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively both orally and in writing to meet program objectives. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels.
• Ability to assist in staff development outcome management and strategic planning.
• Ability to act as liaison between staff to resolve informal employee complaints and concerns.
• Knowledge of rehabilitative treatment goals and strategies that are unique to patients in specialized programs and knowledge of those specific program requirements. (1) Prosthetic implants (biological and non-biological); (2) Blind Rehabilitation Center; (3) Orthotic and Prosthetic Laboratory; (4) Poly-Trauma Level I Center; (5) Spinal Cord Injury Center - injuries that disrupt movement sensation and function often with paralysis can impact lower body upper body bowel and bladder; (6) Traumatic Brain Injury Center - injuries that frequently occur as part of the polytrauma spectrum in combination with other disabling conditions such as amputations burns pain fractures auditory and visual impairments post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions; and (7) Driver Rehabilitation Program.

***Continued in section titled Additional Information