Qualifications

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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d)
• Certification: Must be board certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) or the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC) as a Orthotist, Prosthetist, or Orthotist/Prosthetist
• Education: Must possess 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
• 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 above, you must meet the grade determinations below: GS- 12 Level: You must have completed one 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 condition
• AND Can demonstrate the following KSAs:1
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements established by ABC, BOC, the National Committee for Orthotic/Prosthetic Education (NCOPE), the International Association of Orthotist and Prosthetist (IAOP), the American Academy of Orthotist and Prosthetists (AAOP), Joint commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (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) packet, 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 orthotist/prosthetist in new technologies and innovations in devices
• References: VA Handbook 5005 VA Qualification Standard Appendix G32.The full performance level of this vacancy is GS- 11
• Preferred Experience: Certification by American Board for Certification as both an Orthotist and Prosthetist is preferred
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: The MoPOC Orthotist-Prosthetist functions primarily within VA CBOC facilities
• This position requires visual acuity, keen hearing, clear distinctive speech, and manual dexterity
• This position requires potentially long periods of continued sitting, with intermittent bending, pulling, and pushing
• Movement between work areas within the health care system is expected
• Occasional lifting of objects up to 45 pounds may be required
• The incumbent may be exposed to infected patients and contaminated materials and may be required to don protective clothing appropriate to the health care environment
• The incumbent may occasionally be exposed to patients who are combative secondary to delirium, dementia, or psychiatric disorders
• The incumbent must be a mature, flexible, sensible individual capable of working effectively in stressful situations, and be able to shift priorities based on patient and department needs
• The incumbent must be able to operate a passenger vehicle without supervision using a class C driver's license.