Orthotist/Prosthetist

This Orthotist/Prosthetist position serves the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PMRS) Service and provides the appropriate orthotic and/or prosthetic devices and treatment.

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:
1. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
2. Education:
A bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program.
OR,
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.

3. 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.
4. 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates.

GS-05, Orthotist/Prosthetist:
Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-07, Orthotist/Prosthetist:
Experience. One year of creditable experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases.
2. Knowledge of psychology and age-related competency.
3. Knowledge of materials science including materials such as plastics, composites, metals, and leather commonly used in fabrication.
4. Ability to use hand and power tools in the fabrication of devices.
5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing.

GS-09, Orthotist/Prosthetist:
Education. Education equivalent to 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree in orthotics and/or prosthetics, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the core competencies for GS-9 level assignment.ORExperience. Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level which demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to provide orthotic/prosthetic services in a hospital setting.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:

1. Ability to attend clinics and participate as a member of the treatment team. This includes knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age-related competencies.
2. Knowledge of the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).
3. Ability to conduct clinical patient analyses such as gait, range of motion, life style, etc., for patients with complex but typical conditions.
4. Ability to take necessary measurements, casts, or scans to develop positive molds of the affected area of the body to create orthoses and/or prostheses.

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 setting.
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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:

• Experience using digital charting systems
• Experience with measuring, fitting, fabrication, and delivering custom orthotics and prosthetics
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, Teams and Outlook
• Good Communication 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: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment.

Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Responsibilities:

Duties of the Orthotist/Prosthetist include, but are not limited to:

• Communicates and interacts with physicians, allied health professionals, patient and caregiver in various interdisciplinary clinical settings (Physical Medicine, Orthopedics, Podiatry, Vascular, Neurosurgery, etc) as a subject matter expert to develop the O&P treatment plan
• Conducts gait analysis, range of motion, coordination and balance, motor skills, and clinical assessment studies in accordance with occupational principles for unusual conditions, multiple complex interrelated conditions
• Interviews patients to determine expectations, lifestyle, home/work environment, ability to use the device
• Refer patient, if appropriate, to other health care professionals (e.g., psychologist, therapist, physician) for intervention beyond orthotic/prosthetic scope of practice
• Formulate and document 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
• Recognizes physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially unfavorable implications
• Educate patient, family and/or caregiver of the orthotic/prosthetic procedure, possible risks and time involved in the procedure
• Selects materials and components to be used in fabrication of the device and determines appropriate equipment to be used in fabrication of the device
• Fabricates components, or selects and modifies components, and assembles these into the finished device. Uses CAD/CAM system as appropriate in this process and performs preliminary alignment
• Participate in personal and professional development through continuing education, training, research and organizational affiliations
• Assess and notate patient's general health and skin condition
• Document all findings and actions and communicate with appropriate health care professionals (e.g., referral sources, colleagues, supervisor) to ensure patient status is updated.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm (Subject to change based on the needs of the service)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: GS-5, 598-01489F; GS-7, 598-01490F; GS-9, 598-01491F; GS-11, 598-01492F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Salary : $40,736