Summary The prosthetist/orthotist reports to the Orthotics & Prosthetics (O&P) Lab Chief of the Minneapolis VA Health Care System (MVAHCS). Incumbent functions in the capacity to provide: complex service assessment, planning and evaluation of the prosthetic clinical services at the facility level to ensure proper coordination between the delivery of prosthetic and orthotic services and the overall delivery of health care. The assignment includes performance of the full range of supervisory duties. Responsibilities VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ Duties include but are not limited to: The incumbent is responsible for the overall management of laboratory staff, equipment, physical plant and other material sources relating to the prosthetic/orthotic laboratories within designated facilities. Establishes and implements program goals to accomplish the multiple missions of the prosthetic and orthotic services within the resources available and time frame set. The incumbent is responsible for providing a vision and leading the development of these activities, as well as writing directives for clinical and administrative support staff. Incumbent reports the status and results of the programs and goals including budget and other resources. Ensures that Congressional, Central Office and other legal requirements pertaining to eligibility and entitlement are maintained and that proper prosthetic and orthotic devices are issued. Keeps subordinate and ancillary employees informed of essential information relative to the operation of clinical services; and that medical care is fully supported by sound administration. Ensures proper and timely product design, fabrication, fitting and delivery of prosthetic/orthotic devices in compliance with the physicians and clinic requests. Develops screening and procedural mechanisms, which will identify the targeted population within the catchment areas of the various health care systems. Maintains appropriate contacts with staff and community resources in order to obtain therapeutic and rehabilitation goals and objectives. Establishes procedures to authorize the replacement of prosthetic and orthotic appliances, when deemed necessary without further medical evaluation. Ensures the maintenance of medical and administrative records and data to ensure proper documentation for JC, CARF, ABC, BOC and quality assurances purposes. Ensures that all management reports, i.e., HCFA code reporting procedures, management briefing, Fiscal Control Point updates and quarterly reports, etc. are prepared, reviewed and submitted in an accurate and timely manner. Creates and completes Orthotic Work order Lab (OWL) for any/all custom in-house fabricated Orthotic devices, to include any custom modification of any orthotic/prosthetic device that requires fifteen minutes or more to complete the modification. Approves procedures for appropriate inventory accountability and levels. Coordinates inter-disciplinary prosthetic clinical services with other specialty programs such as wound care, PACT, Spinal Cord Injury, Research, etc. Acts as liaison with orthotic and prosthetic contractors, prosthetic and orthotic manufacturers and central fabrication labs, including routinely visiting vendors to ensure that their facilities are adequate, as well as to familiarize them with VA procedures, documentation and options of payment. The incumbent is responsible for the utilization of work flow and quality. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Not authorized for this position. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications Basic Requirements: a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, this part.) b. 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. c. 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. d. 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. f. Grandfathering Provision. Orthotists, prosthetists, or orthotist/prosthetists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Orthotists, prosthetists, or orthotist/prosthetists that do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or demoted within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation. If an employee who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. f. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. g. English Language Proficiency. Orthotists, prosthetists, or orthotist/prosthetists must be proficient in spoken and written as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). Grade Determinations: GS-12 (a) 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. (b) 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 (*): 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G32, Orthotist/Prosthetist Qualification Standard GS-667, Veterans Health Administration. The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting 15-44 pounds; use of fingers; both hands required; walking .5 hours; standing .5 hours; kneeling .5 hours; repeated bending .5 hours; working around dust, fumes, smoke or gases; solvents, grease and oils; working around machinery with moving parts; working alone. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application. 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.