Orthotist-Prosthetist - Advanced Practitioner - Mobile Prosthetics & Orthotic Clinic

Summary

The position is located in the Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory within the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service. This position functions primarily as a clinical staff member in the Mobile Prosthetics & Orthotic Clinic (MoPOC) unit as part of the Orthotics & Prosthetics Lab. As a MoPOC clinical provider - you will be required to travel to satellite clinics & on occasion - Veteran's homes to provide clinical care using a specialized vehicle equipped as a mobile laboratory.

Qualifications

• 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: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• 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 OR 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
• 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
• Drivers License: Possess a current valid drivers license
• Grade Determinations GS-12: Experience
• Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-11 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
• Assignments at the GS-11 level
• The orthotist/prosthetist communicates and interacts with physicians - allied health professionals - patients - and caregivers in various interdisciplinary clinical settings - rehabilitation medicine - orthopedics - neurosurgery - vascular care - podiatry - oncology - etc. - as a subject matter expert to develop the orthotic and/or prosthetic treatment plan
• The work includes complex patient analyses in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions - multiple complex conditions - interrelated conditions - etc.
• assessment of the patient for indications/contra-indications and discussion of the assessment with the physician/requesting provider for the purpose of developing the overall treatment plan with considerable influence in the development of that plan
• consideration of 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
• The orthotist/prosthetist at this level is expected to recognize physical abnormalities - deviations - and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications
• AND 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
• (To be used if the assignment is supervisory in nature.) Preferred Experience: 5 years experience as an ABC Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12
• Physical Requirements: WCHCS PM&R Service functions within the VA Western Colorado Health Care System within VA medical facilities
• environmental exposures and physical demands vary across the health care systems
• 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 is 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
• Incumbent must possess and maintain a current valid state driver's license.

Duties

• The orthotist-prosthetist communicates and interacts with physicians - allied health professionals - patients - and caregivers in various interdisciplinary clinical settings - rehabilitation medicine - orthopedics - neurosurgery - vascular care - podiatry - oncology - etc
• as a subject matter expert to develop the orthotic and/or prosthetic treatment plan
• Completes complex patient analysis in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions - multiple complex conditions - interrelated conditions - etc.
• assessment of the patient for indications/ contraindications and discussion of the assessment with the physician / requesting provider for the purpose of developing the overall treatment plan with considerable influence in the development of that plan
• consideration of 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
• The orthotist- prosthetist at this level is expected to recognize physical abnormalities - deviations - and complicating conditions with potentially life-threatening implications
• Assigned to attend clinics and participate as a fully participating member of the treatment team with considerable influence in the development of the treatment plan for hte most complex types of conditions
• This requires advanced knowledge of medical terminology - anatomy - physiology - biomechanics - kinesiology - physics - and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age-related competencies
• The orthotist- prosthetist will conduct clinical patient analysis such as gait - range of motion - lifestyle - etc
• for patients with a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications and will design unique devices to accommodate those conditions
• Responsible for a patient load - and will complete all required documentation including VISTA - CPRS - encounters - OWLS - FLOW and other requirements as they evolve
• This may also include stock posting items delivered for inventory control - managing lab equipment inventory - placing orders using established procedures for patient specific needs - quote review from outside vendors - etc
• to ensure seamless care
• Reviews and triages prosthetics requests daily and communicate with scheduling team as to which patients to schedule in-house vs
• those to be sent to outside commercial vendors
• Orthotist-Prosthetists may not select or direct veterans to a specific outside commercial partner under any circumstances - this would violate federal acquisition regulations
• Performs the necessary procedures to provide custom devices to patients as prescribed by the physician
• This may include but is not limited to: casting - digitizing - scanning - positive model preparation and modification - selecting appropriate materials and components - thermoforming - trimming - assembling devices - evaluating workmanship and fabrication performed by outside central fabrication facilities - ensuring structural safety and manufacturer recommendations are followed for final delivery to patients
• Provides ongoing care and periodic evaluation to assure - maintain - and document optimal fit and function of prostheses - orthoses - soft goods - inserts - shoes - and compression devices provided to patients
• Provides oversight of fitters and/ or technicians as assigned based on certification requirements
• Provides educational in-services to physician groups such as podiatry - primary care - PMRS - orthopedics - etc
• or other groups as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Thursday day shifts - variable
• Compressed/Flexible: May be available
• Telework: Not available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 61029-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized.