Orthotist-Prosthetist

Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program - a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval - award amount (up to $200 -000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. 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 PolicyEnglish Language Proficiency: Individuals appointed under the authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74 - to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in Veterans Health Administration (VHA) - must be proficient in written and spoken EnglishEducation: The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: 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 programForeign 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 4.Board 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 requirementMay 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: GS-11 - Orthotist/Prosthetist Experience: Completion of 1 year of experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates possession of the knowledge - skills - and abilities needed to provide orthotic/prosthetic services in a hospital settingDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: 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: FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: PART II APPENDIX G32 EFFECTIVE DATE: March 21 - 2017For 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 VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ Major Duties include but are not limited to the following: Performs a comprehensive assessment of the patient to obtain an understanding of the patients orthotic/prosthetic needsCreates a comprehensive orthotic/prosthetic treatment plan to meet the needs and goals of the patientPerforms the necessary procedures to deliver the appropriate orthotic/prosthetic services - which may include fabrication of the orthosis/prosthesisProvides continuing patient care and periodic evaluation to assure/maintain/document optimal fit and function of the orthosis/prosthesisComplies with policies - procedures and regulations regarding human resource management - physical environment management - business/fiscal management and organizational managementParticipates in personal and professional development through continuing education - training - research and organizational affiliationsWork Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:30am to 4:00pm - Full Time Telework: Ad hoc-May be authorized at Supervisory discretion Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 10546F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not AuthorizedEDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentiveContact V21ccoeedrp@va.gov - the EDRP Team for questions/assistanceLearn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized