Prosthetic Representative

This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS). The PSAS provides support to optimize the health and independence of the Veteran services provided within various settings, including the Veterans Integrated Service (VISNs), Inpatient Clinics, Outpatient Clinics, and domiciliary throughout the United States.

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 Policy.
• Experience and Education. Individual must meet at least one of the requirements below.
  • Experience. One year of creditable experience that demonstrates: Knowledge of basic anatomy and medical terminology; knowledge of accounting methods; ability to research, analyze, comprehend, and apply decisions; basic knowledge of inventory management procedures; ability to use computer software packages for word processing, spreadsheet development, and database management; and ability to work independently and as a member of a team; or
  • Education. A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution AND at least 24 semester hours in course work related to health care, public administration, or business. The 24 semester hours could include but is not limited to any combination from the following fields: occupational therapy, physical therapy, kinesiotherapy, social work, psychology, prosthetics, orthotics, respiratory therapy, assistive technology, business law, leadership, healthcare, public administration, or business management. This course work may have been completed within the degree or in addition to the degree; or
  • Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
  • Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the United States must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials, and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to experience gained in conventional United States programs.
• Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
• English Language Proficiency. Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who are not proficient in written and spoken English. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

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-5 Prosthetic Representative (Entry Level):

1. Experience. None beyond the basic requirement.
   • Assignment. Assignments at this grade level are entry level trainee in nature where the individual receives developmental assignments designed to build upon the base knowledge, skills, and abilities. At this level, the Prosthetic Representative receives training and instruction to develop proficiency in essential occupational tasks. The work is performed under close supervision.

GS-7 Prosthetic Representative (Developmental Level):

1. Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level, directly related to the position to be filled.
2. And Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs in their resume:
   • Ability to understand and apply processes, procedures, regulations, and laws as it applies to purchasing and the provision of prosthetic items/services.
   • Ability to coordinate multiple requests for durable medical equipment (DME), including repairs, services, and benefits.
   • Ability to act as a liaison with and work effectively with health care providers, patients, caregivers and vendors to ensure that the most appropriate device and services are received timely.
   • Ability to monitor contractors and vendors for compliance with contract requirements.

GS-9 Prosthetic Representative (Developmental level):

1. Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level, that is directly related to the position to be filled. OR,
   • Education. Education equivalent to two full years of progressively higher level graduate education or Master's or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited educational institution AND at least 24 semester hours in course work related to health care, public administration, or business. The 24 semester hours may include, but is not limited to, any combination from the following fields: occupational therapy, physical therapy, kinesiotherapy, social work, psychology, prosthetics, orthotics, respiratory therapy, assistive technology, business law, leadership, healthcare, public administration, or business management. This course work may have been completed within the degree or in addition to the degree.
2. And Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs in their resume:
   • Knowledge of methods to identify trends and causation factors sufficient to analyze prepared data and gather information to inform and advise management.
   • Ability to organize, prioritize, and monitor actions to ensure timeliness.
   • Ability to understand and articulate the benefits program options available. This includes communicating with patients, caregivers, health care providers and vendors.
   • Ability to apply and educate others about national, VISN, and facility directives, policies, procedures and regulations.
   • Ability to work effectively with a clinical team and provide recommendations for prosthetic devices

GS-11 Prosthetic Representative (Full Performance Level):

1. Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level, that is directly related to the position to be filled.
2. And Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs in their resume:
   • Ability to work independently to set priorities; delegate tasks; meet multiple deadlines; analyze organizational problems; and develop and implement effective solutions to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity
   • Ability to work with a team, to provide technical guidance, plan, organize, and coordinate activities to effectively complete job duties of assignment, such as distributing workload; and monitoring the accuracy, status and progress of work.
   • Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, both orally and in writing, to meet program objectives. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels.
   • Ability to work independently to set priorities; delegate tasks; meet multiple deadlines; analyze
   • Ability to assist in staff development, outcome management, and strategic planning.
   • Ability to act as liaison between staff to resolve informal employee complaints and concerns.
   • Knowledge of rehabilitative treatment goals and strategies that are unique to patients in specialized programs and knowledge of those specific program requirements. Specialty Services. These are services that are unique to more complex facilities and require in- depth, specialized knowledge of the multiple disabilities that are associated with patients receiving medical and rehabilitative services in these specialty programs.

Preferred Experience:

• Knowledge of benefit claims
• Customer Service skills

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

Responsibilities:

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Serves as a Prosthetic Representative completing segments of prosthetic and sensory aids assignments, projects, activities, and long-and-short term program goals. Performs technical, administrative, and analytical prosthetic related assignments for the PSAS
• Provides training, advice, and guidance related to statistics, data analysis, budgeting, contracting, procurement, inventory management, Human resources, etc.
• Serves on local facility committees, workgroups, and teams to address a variety of PSAS's issues, initiatives, and projects.
• Works closely with senior PSAS's staff to draft, develop, and implement new local organizational policies, directives, and procedures that are consistent with national policies, procedures, and programs.
• Completes contracting and procurement assignments to prepare and authorize purchase orders for a wide variety of prosthetic and orthotic devices. Works in collaboration with supervisor to oversee the operation of the Prosthetic, Orthotic and Optical Laboratories.
• Ensures requests for items or services are complete and received under established timeframes. Confers independently with contractors, vendors, and other health care workers as needed regarding procurement needs.
• Monitors contracts for compliance with PSAS's statement of work; and receives, analyzes, and completes requests for prosthetic equipment and services. Keeps the supervisor well informed of procurement or contract issues as they arise.
• Reviews, interprets, and applies laws concerning benefits available to disabled patients. Maintains awareness regarding medical and psychological problems related to patients need to use prosthetic devices. Authorizes the purchase, fabrication, fitting, or repair of prosthetic and orthotic devices.
• Drafts, develops, and implements new local organizational policies, directives, and procedures that are consistent with national policies, procedures, and programs. Provides documents to the supervisor for final approval after the incumbent submits final, review, comments, and recommendations.
• Works directly with Veterans and clinical teams to assist with applications and answer questions related to benefit programs that cannot be handled by lower-level employees.
• Provides oversight and management of contracts. Monitors contracts for compliance with the statement of work; and receives, analyzes, and completes requests for prosthetic equipment and services. Keeps the supervisor well informed of procurement or contract issues as they arise.
• Procures materials, supplies, and equipment; familiar with inventory stock and works collaboratively with Supply Chain to provide oversight of prosthetic service inventories; and refers veterans to proper clinical area for evaluation with guidance from supervisor and senior staff.
• Conducts home and vendor visits, with a supervisor and/or senior Prosthetic Representative, to authorize benefit payments, reimbursement and contract compliance.
• Works closely with management on Human Resource actions. Completes human resources assignments independently, including drafting and developing functional statements, performance standards, and competencies. Provides training to PSAS's employees and participates in the department in public relations activities, i.e. lectures, town halls, and in-services.
• Other duties as assigned
  

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 54937-F; 54938-F; 54939-F; 54940-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $44,285