The Orthotist, Prosthetist or Orthotist/Prosthetist, provides the appropriate orthotic and/or prosthetic devices and treatment. To accomplish this goal, the Orthotist, Prosthetist, or Orthotist/Prosthetist through: -A comprehensive examination of the patient and assessment of their individual needs and desires. - Formulation of a treatment plan. - Design, component selection, measurement/casting of the patient, fabrication and fitting of the device to the patient. 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 Policy. Education: (1) A bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program. OR (2) A bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program. 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. 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. English Language Proficiency: Orthotists, 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). Grade Determinations: GS-11 (Full Performance Level) 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 setting. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1. Ability to attend clinics and participate as a fully participating member of the treatment team with considerable influence in the development of the treatment plan. This includes advanced knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age related competencies. 2. Ability 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 conditions. 3. Ability to recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications. Preferred Experience: 1. Certification is strongly desirable as evidence of possession of the essential Knowledge, skills, and abilities: (ABC or BOC). 2. Specifically trained to provide or manage the provision of custom designed, fabricated, modified, and fitted orthoses AND prostheses. 3. Ability to analyze data and provide reports using HCPCs and other patient database information. 4. Ability to conduct clinical patient analyses such as gait, range of motion, lifestyle, etc… for patients with a wide range of complex medical conditions. 5. Knowledge of materials science such as plastics, composites, metals, and leather used in fabrication. This includes the use of CAD/CAM systems and hand and power tools. 6. Knowledge of administrative functions including budget development and management, space and workload planning as well as knowledge of the National Prosthetics Patient Database, a knowledge of the Prosthetics National Software package, and knowledge or accreditation requirement for orthotic and prosthetic laboratories. References: VA Handbook 5005/91 Part II Appendix G32 dated March 21, 2017. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: The position will require heavy lifting (45 pounds and over), moderate carrying (45 pounds and over), straight pulling (1 hour), pushing (1 hour), reaching above shoulder, both hands required, walking (2-4 hours), standing (2-4 hours), kneeling (2-4 hours), and repeated bending. ["Duties will include, but are not limited to:\nPerforms a comprehensive assessment of the patient to obtain an understanding of the patients orthotic/prosthetic needs:\n- Review patient's prescription/referral.\n- Take a comprehensive patient history, including demographic characteristics, family dynamics, previous use of an orthosis/prosthesis, diagnosis, work history, vocational activities, signs and symptoms, medical history (including allergies to materials), reimbursement status, patient expectations and results of diagnostic evaluations.\n- Assist in formulating the treatment plan by performing a diagnosis-specific functional clinical examination, including manual muscle-testing, gait assessment and evaluation of sensory function, cognitive ability, range of motion, joint stability, skin integrity and compliance.\n- Consult with other health care professionals and caregivers about patient's condition to assist in formulating a treatment plan.\nCreate a comprehensive orthotic/prosthetic treatment plan to meet the needs and goals of the patient:\n- Evaluate the findings to determine an orthotic/prosthetic recommendation.\n- Formulate treatment goals and expected orthotic/prosthetic outcomes to reduce pain/increase comfort, enhance function and independence, provide stability, prevent deformity, address cosmesis and/or promote healing.\n- Consult with physician/referral source to modify, if necessary, the original prescription and/or treatment plan.\n- Identify material, design and components to support anticipated outcome.\n- Develop a plan for patient needs, including patient education and follow-up.\nPerform the necessary procedures to deliver the appropriate orthotic/prosthetic services, which may include fabrication of the orthosis/prosthesis:\nInform patient, family and/or caregiver of the orthotic/prosthetic procedure, possible risks and time involved in the procedure.\n- Select appropriate material/techniques to implement treatment plan.\n- Provide patient with preparatory care for orthotic/prosthetic treatment ( e.g., diagnostic splint, residual limb shrinker).\n- Prepare patient for procedure required to initiate treatment plan (e.g., take impression, digitize, delineate, scan).\n- Implement procedure (e.g., take impression, digitize, delineate, scan).\n- Select appropriate materials, components and specifications for orthosis/prosthesis based on patient criteria to ensure optimum strength, durability and function as required ( e.g., choose ankle or knee joints, feet, knee units; choose material of components, lamination lay-ups).\nProvide continuing patient care and periodic evaluation to assure/maintain/document optimal fit and function of the orthosis/prosthesis:\n- Solicit subjective feedback from patient and/or caregiver to determine status ( e.g., wear schedule/tolerance, comfort, perceived benefits, perceived detriments, ability to don and doff, proper usage and function, overall patient satisfaction).\n- Assess patient's functional level.\n- Assess patient's skin condition (e.g., integrity, color, temperature, volume).\nComplies with policies, procedures and regulations regarding human resource management, physical environment management, business/financial management and organizational management:\n- Adheres 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.)\n- Personnel policies and procedures (e.g., benefits, training, incentives, staff recognition, regular performance appraisals).\nParticipate in personal and professional development through continuing education, training, research and organizational affiliations:\n- Participates in continuing education and/or provide such education for other healthcare professionals, orthotic and prosthetic practitioners, associates, technicians and office staff ( e.g., publications, seminars, case studies).\n- Participates in education for residents, students and trainees.\n- Participates in product development research, clinical trials and outcome evaluation studies. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:45pm\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nPCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required\nNote: This is Bargaining Unit Position."]

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