Orthotist-Prosthetist

MAJOR DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES include but not limited to:

• Follows established regulations and procedures to insure patient privacy.
• Identifies biomechanical condition.
• Conducts gait analysis range of motion coordination and balance motor skills and clinical assessment studies in accordance with occupational principles for unusual conditions multiple complex interrelated conditions etc.
• Interviews patients to determine expectations lifestyle home/work environment ability to use the device.
• Takes necessary measurements casts or scans to develop positive molds of the affected area of the body which are used to create the orthosis and/or prosthesis.
• Recognizes physical abnormalities deviations and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications.
• Assesses patient for indications/contra-indications of appropriate treatment protocols
• And discusses the assessment with the physician/requesting provider for purposes of developing the overall treatment plan. Has considerable influence in the development of the plan.
• Considers new and emerging technologies in designing unique or innovative devices to accommodate or treat a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications.
• Considering the information developed through the assessment as well as time management workload considerations designs custom devices using standard components to optimize patient performance for difficult and complex conditions; may include CAD/CAM systems.
• Selects materials and components to be used in fabrication of the device and determines appropriate equipment to be used in fabrication of the device or minor modification to orthotic devices and or goods.
• Fabricates components or selects and modifies components and assembles these into the finished device and or works with commercial vendors on fabrication orders. Working knowledge of CAD/CAM system as appropriate in this process and can performs preliminary alignment.
• Fits the device on the patient assures preliminary alignment and performs subsequent dynamic alignment.
• Assesses and/or modifies fit and function of the device as fabricated and makes appropriate
• modifications to insure optimum patient outcome.
• Evaluates patients ability to don/doff the device provides training to the patient and/or caregiver in its use and maintenance. This may also include training the clinical staff.
• Explains procedures and processes to the patient to reduce anxiety and gain support and cooperation in all stages of the process.
• Maintains the patients record including the electronic record in accordance with established Joint Commission Standards ABC and or BOC best practice recommendations VA Medical Center and VISN policies
• Attends professional and manufacturers training seminars.
• Completes mandatory training per hospital requirements.
• Maintains professional credentials and/or competency.
• Observes appropriate established infection control guidelines.
• Follows environmental and occupational safety guidelines.
• Communicates and interacts with physicians allied health professionals patient and caregiver in various interdisciplinary clinical settings as a subject matter expert to develop the O/P treatment plan. (PM&R Orthopedics Neurosurgery vascular podiatry oncology etc.)
• Conducts in-service training for O/P staff VSOs as well as staff in other disciplines regarding O/P technologies.
• Conducts site surveys of commercial vendors to insure vendor regulatory compliance
• Evaluates the ability of a vendor to provide a product
• Responsible for accreditation compliance as applicable
• Manages inventory of stock items fabrication materials and components
• Assures safe workplace considering environmental concerns OSHA/JOINT COMMISSION
• Participates at National VISN Prosthetics Integrated Service Line or local initiatives intra agency workgroups and/or committees
• Serves as technical advisor and subject matter expert

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8am-4:30pm
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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 identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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.

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.
• 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.
• 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).

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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

• GS-5 (Entry Level) - Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

• GS-7 level: Experience. One year of creditable experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level and Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

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.

• GS-9 level: Education. Education equivalent to 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education or masters or equivalent graduate degree in orthotics and/or prosthetics provided the applicants total background demonstrates the core competencies for GS-9 level assignment. OR Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level which demonstrates possession of the knowledge skills and abilities needed to provide orthotic/prosthetic services in a hospital setting and Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the education or experience above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

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.

• GS-11 (Full Performance Level) Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates possession of the knowledge skills and abilities needed to provide orthotic/prosthetic services in a hospital setting and Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Ability to recognize physical abnormalities deviations and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications.

Preferred Experience: The preferred candidate for a VHA non-supervisory Certified Prosthetist-Orthotist role possesses at least two years of recent clinical experience providing direct patient care in both prosthetics and orthotics ideally working with a diverse and medically complex patient population. Active certification by the ABC (or equivalent) is required along with demonstrated proficiency in patient assessment device design fitting and follow-up care using advanced materials and technologies. Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams educating patients and families and utilizing electronic health records is highly valued. Knowledge of accreditation standards and a commitment to serving Veterans further distinguish exceptional candidates for this position

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Daily intermittent walking standing bending stooping reaching and carrying of lightweight items required. Rigid deadlines and need for high degree of accuracy periodically becomes stressful.