Orthotist-Prosthetist

Summary This position functions primarily in the Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory Section of the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service. The Orthotist - Prosthetist or Orthotist/Prosthetist - provides appropriate orthotic and/or prosthetic devices and treatment. **Relocation Expenses Reimbursed - You may qualify for reimbursement of relocation expenses in accordance with agency policy. ** Qualifications 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 PolicyEducation A bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited programOR - A bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited programBoard CertificationCandidates 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/prosthetistThe board certificate must be current and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirements for continuing educationCertification as a technician - pedorthist - assistant or fitter does not meet this requirementEnglish Language ProficiencyOrthotists - prosthetists - or orthotist/prosthetists must be proficient in spoken and written as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d)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)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)Grandfathering ProvisionOrthotists - 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 occupationFor 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 positionsEmployees 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 standardEmployees 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 occupationIf 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 occupationGrade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements - you must also meet the grade level requirementsOrthotist/Prosthetist is an allied health professional specifically trained to provide or manage the provision of custom designed - fabricated - modified and fitted orthoses and prostheses based upon the independent or consultative clinical assessment of the patient's unique needs and desires - as well as their expectations and pursuant to a physician's prescriptionGS-11 Orthotist/Prosthetist (Full Performance Level): ExperienceCompletion of 1 year of experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) that demonstrates possession of the knowledge - skills - and abilities needed to provide orthotic/prosthetic services in a hospital settingDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to attend clinics and participate as a fully participating member of the treatment team with considerable influence in the development of the treatment planThis includes advanced knowledge of medical terminology - anatomy - physiology - biomechanics - kinesiology - physics - and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age related competenciesAbility to conduct clinical patient analyses such as gait - range of motion - life style - etc. - for patients with a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications - and to design unique or innovative devices to accommodate those conditionsAbility to recognize physical abnormalities - deviations - and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implicationsReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 11The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 11Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. Duties The Orthotist - Prosthetist or Orthotist/Prosthetist - provide appropriate orthotic and/or prosthetic devices and treatmentAn examination of the patient and assessment of their individual needs and desiresCompliance with the treatment planDesign - component selection - measurement/casting of the patient - fabrication and fitting of the device to the patientProper documentation of the patient recordContinuing care and periodic examination of the patient and the orthotic/prosthetic device to assess fit - function and changing needs of the patientCommunicates with patient and/or caregiver about the recommended treatment plan - to involve them in orthotic or prosthetic careinclude disclosure of potential risks/benefitsVerify patient care by documenting history - ongoing care and follow-up - using established record-keeping techniquesRefer patient - if appropriate - to higher level Orthotist and/or Prosthetist for intervention beyond orthotic/prosthetic scope of practice or privilegingConsults with higher-level Orthotist and/or Prosthetist to clarify or with physician/referral source to modify - if necessary - the original prescription and/or treatment planIdentify material - design and components to support anticipated outcomeInform patient - family and/or caregiver of the orthotic/prosthetic procedure - possible risks and time involved in the procedureSelect appropriate material/techniques to implement treatment planProvide patient with preparatory care for orthotic/prosthetic treatmentPrepare patient for procedure required to initiate treatment planConsult technical component/material resources as requiredPrepare delineation/impression/template for modification/fabricationFabricate/assemble prescribed device by assembling selected materials/components to prepare for fitting and/or deliveryAssess device for structural safety and ensure that manufacturers' guidelines have been followed prior to patient fitting/deliveryAssess/align orthosis/prosthesis for accuracy in sagittal - transverse and coronal planes to provide maximum function/comfortProvide gait training /functional-use trainingEnsure that materials - design and components are fit/delivered as prescribedComplete fabrication process after achieving optimal fit of orthosis/prosthesisEducate/counsel patient and/or caregiver about the use and maintenance of the orthosis/prosthesisReassess orthosis/prosthesis for structural safety prior to patient deliveryDocument treatment using established record-keeping techniques to verify implementation of treatment planSolicit subjective feedback from patient and/or caregiver to determine statusAssess patient's functional levelAssess patient's skin conditionAssess patient's general health - height and weight - and note any changesAssess patient's psychosocial status - and note any changesAssess fit of orthosis/prosthesis with regard to strategic contact to determine need for changes relative to initial treatment goalsAssess fit of orthosis/prosthesis with regard to anatomical relationships to orthosis/prosthesis to determine need for changes relative to initial treatment goalsFormulate plan to modify orthosis/prosthesis based on findingsinform patient and/or caregiver of plan to modify orthosis/prosthesisMake specified modifications to orthosis/prosthesisAssess modified device for structural safety - and ensure that manufacturers' guidelines have been followedEvaluate modifications to orthosis/prosthesis - including static and dynamic assessment to confirm that goals and objectives of modifications have been metReassess patient knowledge and understanding of goals and objectives to ensure proper use of orthosis/prosthesis relative to modificationsDocument all findings and actions and communicate with appropriate health care professionalsAdheres to established policies and procedures in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations as well as professional and ethical guidelines (e.g. - FDA - ADA - OSHA - MSDS - ABC and BOC.) Communicates roles and expectations of employer and employees by providing documentation to create a professional - cooperative working environment and improve patient careParticipates in continuing education and/or provide such education for other health care professionals - orthotic and prosthetic practitionersParticipates in education for residents - students and traineesParticipates in product development research - clinical trials and outcome evaluation studiesParticipates in/with consumer organizations and nongovernmental organizations to promote competency and enhancement of orthotic/prosthetic professionVA offers a comprehensive total rewards packageWork Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized