Orthotist/Prosthetist - Advanced Practitioner

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within 4 months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. 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 patient's 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 patient's record, including the electronic record, in accordance with established JCAHO/ABC/BOC/Medical Center NISN policies. Attends professional and manufacturer's 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, VSO's, 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. Work Schedule: Monday • Friday; 800 a.m. to 430 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 59967-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact V19RMNHRBenefitsOKC@va.gov, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized 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 bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program. OR A bachelor's 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 Bachelor's 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 body's 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 Bachelor's 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. Grade Requirements GS 12 Orthotist-Prosthetist (Advanced Practitioner)- Above the Full Performance Level In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met: 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. GS-12 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)- 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 ( ): 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) Preferred Experience: At least five years of post-certification experience providing complex prosthetic care, including treatment-plan development, management of medically complex Veterans, component selection, microprocessor-controlled prosthetic systems, and participation in interdisciplinary amputation rehabilitation. Applicants must hold current ABC or BOC certification as a Prosthetist or Orthotist-Prosthetist. Orthotist-only certification does not meet this specialized requirement. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. This vacancy is being announced above the Full Performance Level at a GS-12. Physical Requirements: Ability to lift patients using biomedical techniques frequently throughout the course of a workday/shift; must be capable of easily lifting fifty (50) pounds of weight alone. Ability to walk, bend, stand, and reach constantly during the workday. Visual acuity (near & distant) sufficient to maintain accurate records, recognize people and understand written direction. Ability to speak and hear sufficiently to understand and give directions. Ability to push wheeled equipment throughout the facility. Fine motor skills adequate for scheduling and preparing patients, equipment and supplies for treatment. Ability to participate in sustained activities for many hours in duration in accordance with state labor laws. 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 (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's 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. 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 interest. In 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. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.