OrthotistProsthetist-Advanced Practitioner

• 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.
• 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.

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: Citizen of the United States. (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.

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 you must also meet the grade level requirements.

GS-12 Requirements:
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 which includes significant involvement in treatment plan development for the most complex types of conditions.

Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment- specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*):
1. Knowledge of regulatory requirements established by the ABC BOC the National Committee for Orthotic/Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) the International Association of Orthotists and Prosthetists (IAOP) the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP) Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) etc.
*2. Knowledge of administrative functions including budget development and management inventory management space and workload planning as well as knowledge of the National Prosthetic Patient Database (NPPD) knowledge of the Prosthetic National Software (PNS) package Decision Support System (DSS) and knowledge of accreditation requirements for orthotic and prosthetic laboratories and certification requirements for individuals.
*3. Ability to analyze data and provide reports using CPRS Vista DSS HCPCS codes and other patient database information.
*4. Ability to provide training to orthotists/prosthetists in new technologies and innovations in devices.

Assignment:
Advanced Practitioner-The orthotist/prosthetist assignment at this level is intended for smaller independent addition to functions typical of the GS-11 grade level the assignment involves responsibility for assuring the accreditation of the laboratory regulation compliance and a variety of administrative duties such as developing a budget; managing inventory and resources; overseeing contract employees; planning the orthotics and prosthetics clinical schedule; conducting site surveys of commercial vendors; devising short and long range goals in accordance with local VISN and VHA Central Office direction; and conducting quality assurance activities; etc. The orthotist/prosthetist communicates and interacts with physicians allied health professionals patients and caregivers in various interdisciplinary clinical settings rehabilitation medicine orthopedics neurosurgery vascular care podiatry oncology etc. as a subject matter expert to develop the orthotic and/or prosthetic treatment plan. The work includes complex patient analyses in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions multiple complex conditions interrelated conditions etc.; assessment of the patient for indications/contra-indications and discussion of the assessment with the physician/requesting provider for the purpose of developing the overall treatment plan with considerable influence in the development of that plan; consideration of 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. The orthotist/prosthetist at this level is expected to recognize physical abnormalities deviations and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications.

Preferred Experience: At least 3 years experience as a certified Orthotist Prosthetist or Orthotist/Prosthetist.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard (G32) please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Work is primarily sedentary but may include long periods of standing sitting and some walking and bending. Time will be spent at a computer terminal performing various keyboard functions. While work is not extremely physical in nature the incumbent will work under pressure with multiple tasks changing priorities and stringent deadlines.