Prosthetic Representative (Assistant Chief)

The incumbent will share full responsibility with the Chief; supervising all phases of prosthetic operations and will serve as Chief of the service in the Chiefs absence. The incumbent serves as an expert advisor analyzing evaluating planning developing and administering work concerned with prosthetic and sensory aids services to patients.

Other duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Serves as a Prosthetic Representative (Assistant Chief) completing a variety of supervisory and non-supervisory prosthetic and sensory aids assignments projects and activities independently to meet PSASs long-and-short term program goals. Plans develops and directs a Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Program at the national VISN or local level.
• Advises the VA Central Office for the development of PSAS policies and manages and provides national-level oversight to a VISN or facility PSAS program to achieve VHAs overall mission goals.
• Leads projects and project teams on activities related to prosthetic and sensory aid activities. Completes a variety of non-supervisory ad hoc projects and assignments personally as needed. Manages a health care program that provides home medical equipment rehabilitation services home oxygen visual or hearing impairment devices assistive technology orthotics or prosthetics.
• Serves as an Assistant Chief located at larger facilities that provide specialty services to smaller facilities and report to a PSAS Service Chief. Shares with the Chief full responsibility for managing and supervising all phases of prosthetic operations.
• Completes human resources assignments independently including drafting and developing functional statements performance standards and competencies. Makes PSASs staff selections; assigns personnel; and provides direction to subordinate staff.
• Serves as liaison between Prosthetic Service and other departments.
• Serves as an advisor to clinicians regarding the selection prescription and acquisition of prosthetic devices involving furnishing information concerning such matters as new developments in the field of prosthetics and sources of supply for such devices.
• Interprets prescriptions of clinicians to make certain that proper prosthetic devices are selected for or by the patients. Authorizes the purchase fabrication or repair of prosthetic devices.
• Maintains continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic supplies inspecting their facilities and services and participating in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts;
• Analyzes data and make recommendations to optimize quality efficiency performance and productivity within the service.
• Assures compliance with accrediting agency and regulatory requirements.
• Develops and maintains a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operate in compliance with regulatory and accrediting organizations.
• Identifies and selects national CMS/ Health Care Procedural Coding System (HCPCS) codes are entered for every item purchased through and/or billed to ensure proper reporting.
• Collaborates with clinical staff and Supply Chain Management to ensure surgical implants are Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved; Collaborates with clinical staff when devices and equipment require repair or replacement and takes necessary actions to resolve issues
• Contributes to the effective utilization of resources budgetary allocation and fiscal management.
• Develops cost-containment measures for prosthetic equipment and services; to authorize benefit payment and reimbursement. Authorizes the purchase fabrication fitting or repair of prosthetic devices.
• Serves as a VHA and PSAS representative on local facility committees workgroups and teams to address a variety of PSASs issues initiatives and projects.
• Drafts develops and implements new local organizational policies directives and procedures that are consistent with national policies procedures programs and processes. Provides documents to the supervisor for final approval after the incumbent submits final review comments and recommendations.
• Maintains awareness of VAs VHAs and PSASs requirements regarding the Joint Commission standards of care implementation.
• Oversees the staff completion of contracting requirements procurement and inventory management assignments independently to prepare and authorize purchase orders for a wide variety of prosthetic and orthotic devices.
• Responds to a variety of policy and correspondence inquires related to contractors congressional inquiries Veteran concerns specialty benefit program issues.

VA Careers - Prosthetics: Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
(Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor).
Telework: Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

• 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 one or two-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: All applicants must meet the following basic qualifications.

• United States Citizenship:Must be a US Citizen
• English Language Proficiency:In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English.
• Experience and Education. Must meet at least one of the requirements below.
  • (1) 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 -
  • (2) 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 -
  • (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: GS-12 Prosthetic Representative (Assistant Chief): Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.

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

• Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties including responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; assessment of competencies; evaluation of performance; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards advancements and disciplinary actions.
• Ability to analyze data and make recommendations to optimize quality efficiency performance and productivity within the service.
• Ability to manage a health care program that provides home medical equipment rehabilitation services home oxygen visual or hearing impairment devices assistive technology orthotics or prosthetics.
• Knowledge of compliance and regulatory accrediting organizations.
• Ability to manage interpret and present fiscal data (i.e. fund controls contracts and equipment expenditures) forecast resource and equipment needs and administer an allocated budget.

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).

Preferred Experience and Certifications: These preferences are highly desired but are not required:

• Leadership and Supervisory Skills:
  • Team Leadership: Experience supervising or mentoring prosthetic assistants aides or technicians ensuring adherence to protocols and quality standards.
• Operational Oversight:
  • Ability to manage overflows coordinate with other healthcare professionals and maintain compliance with professional codes of conduct.
• Quality Assurance:
  • Experience implementing and monitoring quality control measures in O&P services

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit Requirements: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job including their physical mental and emotional capacities without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.