Orthotist-Prosthetist

VA Careers - Prosthetics: duties include but not limited to:

-Comprehensive examination of the patient and assessment of their individual needs and desires
Formulation of a treatment plan.
- Design component selection measurement/casting of the patient fabrication and fitting of the device to the patient.
- Proper documentation of the patient record.
- Continuing care and periodic examination of the patient and the orthotic/prosthetic device to assess fit function and changing needs of the patient.
-Ability to recognize physical abnormalities deviations and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications.
Functions:
A) Performs a comprehensive assessment of the patient to obtain an understanding of the patients orthotic/prosthetic needs such as gait range of motion life style etc.
- Review patients prescription/referral.
- Communication and documentation on consults to provide detailed information for MSA to use regarding scheduling.
- 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.
B) Create a comprehensive orthotic/prosthetic treatment plan to meet the needs and goals of the patient:
- 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.
C) 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).
D) Provide continuing patient care and periodic evaluation to assure/maintain/document optimal fit and function of the orthosis/prosthesis:
- Solicit subjective feedback from patient and/or caregiver to determine status (e.g. wear schedule/tolerance comfort perceived benefits perceived detriments ability to don and doff proper usage and function overall patient satisfaction).
.- Assess patients functional level.
- Assess patients skin condition (e.g. integrity color temperature volume).
- Assess patients general health height and weight and note any changes.
E) Complies with policies procedures and regulations regarding human resource management physical environment management business/financial management and organizational management:
- Adheres to established policies and procedures in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations as well as professional and ethical guidelines (e.g. FDA ADAOSHA MSDS ABC and BOC.)
- Personnel policies and procedures (e.g. benefits training incentives staff recognition regular performance appraisals).
F) Participate in personal and professional development through continuing education training research and organizational affiliations:
- Participates in continuing education and/or provide such education for other health care professionals orthotic and prosthetic practitioners associates technicians and office staff(e.g. publications seminars case studies).
- Participates in education for residents students and trainees.
- Participates in product development research clinical trials and outcome evaluation studies.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00a.m-4:30p.m.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement # 91652-0

• 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 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.

• 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.

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.
• 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 as verified through an independent credential evaluation company) 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 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).

Orthotist/Prosthetist GS-11:

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.

• Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
• 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.