Orthotist-Prosthetist-Advanced

Summary

The person in this position functions as an advanced clinical member of the Birmingham VA Medical Center Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Services in the role of a Mobile Prosthetic and Orthotic Care (MoPOC) program clinician. As a MoPOC clinical provider you will be responsible for all the clinical care needs, administrative oversight, and accreditation compliance for the local VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics served, and for independently managing and operating a small mobile lab.

Duties

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This announcement is open and continuous and will remain open until September 30, 2026.

Major Duties :

• Functions in the role of a Mobile Prosthetic and Orthotic Care (MoPOC) program clinical.
• Responsible for all the clinical care needs, administrative oversight, and accreditation compliance for local VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) served and independently manage and operate a small mobile lab.
• Drive from the Birmingham VA Medical Center to Jasper, Childersburg, and Guntersville VA clinics in a specialized vehicle (Ford Transit 350) equipped as a mobile orthotics and prosthetics workshop laboratory three days per week. One day per week is set aside for administrative duties, fabrication and occasional home visit to care for veterans who cannot access care in other ways.
• The work includes complex patient analyses in accordance with established procedures for patient care, the development of customized treatment plans in conjunction with referring physicians, the implementation of those treatment plans and the provision of follow-up care.
• Responsible for assuring accreditation of the CBOC locations served in compliance with ABC rules and regulations.
• Responsible for administrative duties such as budget development, managing inventory and resources, overseeing the orthotic and prosthetic schedule, devising short and long range goals in accordance with local VISN, and VHA central office direction, and conducting quality assurance activities.
• 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.
• Assess patients 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 the plan.
• Conducts clinical patient analysis such as gait, range of motion, and lifestyle assessment 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.
• The Orthotist-Prosthetist will perform 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 patient.
• Responsible for overseeing contracted employees work and conducting site surveys of commercial vendors within 25 miles of the CBOCs that they serve.
• Responsible for patient load, and will complete all required documentation including VISTA, CPRS, encounters, OWLS, and other requirements as they evolve. This may also include stock-posting items delivered for inventory control, managing mobile lab equipment inventory, placing orders using established procedures for patient specific needs, quote from outside vendors, and other functions required to ensure seamless care.
• May provide oversight of fitters and / or technicians as assigned based on certification requirements.
• Will be called on to provide training to other Orthotist-Prosthetists, including residents and trainees, in new orthotic and prosthetic technologies and innovations, and particularly those associated with the provision of mobile care.
• The GS-12 Orthotist-Prosthetist Advanced Practitioner is a non-supervisory position. As such, the Orthotist-Prosthetist performs within an accepted scope of practice and privileging. Work is performed with a high degree of independence, and the Advanced Practitioner serves as the consulted practitioner for the most complex cases and situations.

Travel Required : 76% or more. You will be expected to travel for this position. Job requires extensive travel.

Work Schedule : Monday-Thursday. 7 : 00am -5 : 30pm

Telework : Not available

Virtual : This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement # : 59665F

Relocation and Recruitment Incentives : Authorized

Permanent Change of Station (PCS) : Not Authorized

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider :

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements :

OR

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

Physical Requirements : T he 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.

Education

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 : 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 :

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.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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.

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.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration / Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA / OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

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