OrthotistProsthetist-Advanced Practitioner

*Complete all application requirements detailed in the Required Documents section of this announcement.*

Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• 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 devices.
• Takes necessary measurements casts or scans to develop positive mold 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.
• Assess 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 over treatment 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 the fabrication of the device.
• Fabricates components or selects and modifies components and assembles these into the finished device. Uses CAD/CAM system as appropriate in this process and 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 fabricates 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 JCAHO/ABC/BOC/Medical Center NISN policies.
• Attends professional and manufacturers training seminars.
• Maintains professional credentials and/or competency.
• Communicates and interacts with physicians allied health professions patient and caregiver in various interdisciplinary clinical settings as a subject matter expert to develop the O/P treatments 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.
• Provides guidance and direction to lower graded O/P staff.
• Manages the daily operations of a small to medium lab.
• Plans clinical schedule for Prosthetics and assures appropriate staff coverages.
• Conducts site surveys of commercial vendors to insure vendor regulatory compliance.
• Responsible for accreditation compliance.
• Develops short- & long-range plans/goals for the lab in accordance with local VISN Headquarters direction.
• Develops budget plan for lab.
• Manages inventory of stock items fabrication materials and components.
• Assures safe workplace considering environmental concerns OSHA/JCAHO regulations.
• Serving as an advisor to physicians therapists and other medical professionals regarding indications and contraindications of prosthetic and orthotic componentry prescription criteria.
• Maintaining continuous liaison with manufactures and dealers of prosthetic supplies inspecting their facilities and services and participating in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts.
• Participating in the investigative/research project studies by selecting patients as pilot wearers of newly developed prosthetic items evaluating the usefulness of such items and compiling data.
• Travels to other locations within the OKC VAHCS up to 25% and maintains current qualifications for the use of government owned vehicles.

• 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 / evaluation.
• 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.

*The Physical Medicine and Rehab service line is recruiting for 1 Orthotist/Prosthetist- Advanced Practitioner. ABC or BOC Practitioner Certification is required at this level. A Prosthetist/Orthotist at this level may serve as the (NCOPE) residency Director for the site or otherwise may be required to directly contribute to the education of Prosthetic-Orthotic Residents. This position travels to other locations within the OKC VAHCS up to 25% and maintains current qualifications for the use of government owned vehicles*

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.
• English Language Proficiency. Per VA Handbook 5005 Part II Chapter 3 Section A Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapter 73 or 74 to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.
• Education:
  • A bachelors degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program. OR
  • 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

• Foreign Education: 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.

• In addition to the basic requirements for employment the following criteria must be met:

• 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.

• 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.
• *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.
• *Ability to analyze data and provide reports using CPRS Vista DSS HCPCS codes and other patient database information.
• *Ability to provide training to orthotists/prosthetists in new technologies and innovations in devices.
• *Ability to manage and supervise employees. (To be used if the assignment is supervisory in nature)