Orthotist/Prosthetist (Advanced Practitioner)

SummaryThe general responsibility of the Non-Supervisory Orthotist-Prosthetist with the Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System (NWIHCS) Orthotics - Prosthetics - Pedorthics Clinical Service (OPPCS) is to provide the most complex clinical and laboratory prosthetic and orthotic services to disabled patients.QualificationsBasic Requirements:United States Citizenship: Citizen of the United States(Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3g - this part.) Education (1) A bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited programOR - (2) A bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited programForeign GraduatesGraduates 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 prostheticsBoard 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 requirementEnglish Language ProficiencyOrthotists - 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-12 ExperienceCompletion of 1 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 conditionsDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and AbilitiesIn addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment- specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 1Knowledge of regulatory requirements established by the ABC - BOC - the National Committee for Orthotic/Prosthetic Education (NCOPE) - the International Association of Orthotists and Prosthetists (IAOP) - the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP) - Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) - etc*2Knowledge 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) package - Decision Support System (DSS) - and knowledge of accreditation requirements for orthotic and prosthetic laboratories and certification requirements for individuals*3Ability to analyze data and provide reports using CPRS - Vista - DSS - HCPCS codes and other patient database information*4Ability to provide training to orthotists/prosthetists in new technologies and innovations in devicesAdvanced PractitionerThe orthotist/prosthetist assignment at this level is intended for smaller - independent laboratoriesIn addition to functions typical of the GS-11 grade level - the assignment involves responsibility for assuring the accreditation of the laboratory - regulation compliance - and a variety of administrative duties such as developing a budgetmanaging inventory and resourcesoverseeing contract employeesplanning the orthotics and prosthetics clinical scheduleconducting site surveys of commercial vendorsdevising short and long range goals in accordance with local - VISN - and VHA Central Office directionand conducting quality assurance activitiesetcThe orthotist/prosthetist 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 planThe work includes complex patient analyses in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions - multiple complex conditions - interrelated conditions - etc.assessment of the patient for indications/contra-indications 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 that planconsideration of new and emerging technologies in designing unique or innovative devices to accommodate or treat a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complicationsThe orthotist/prosthetist at this level is expected to recognize physical abnormalities - deviations - and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications Preferred Experience: Certified Prosthetist OrthotistAbility to evaluate and treat patients requiring complex orthotic or prosthetic devicesReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/Physical Requirements: You will be asked to participate in a pre-employment examination or evaluation as part of the pre-employment process for this positionQuestions about physical demands or environmental factors may be addressed at the time of evaluation or examination.DutiesThe VA Midwest Health Care Network advocates for a Whole Health System of care in each of the Medical CentersThis is an approach to healthcare that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their lives to the fullestAs an employee operating in a Whole Health System of care - you will operate in a model with three core elements - seeking to create a personalized health plan for each VeteranThis is done in the context of healing relationships and healing environments and a connection back to the Veteran's communityThis aligns with the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Mission Statement to Honor America's Veterans by providing exceptional health care that improves their health and well-beingMajor duties include but are not limited Identifies biomechanical conditionConducts 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 - etc.Interviews patients to determine expectations - lifestyle - home/work environment - ability to use the deviceRecognizes physical abnormalities - deviations - and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implicationsSelects materials and components to be used in fabrication of the device and determines appropriate equipment to be used in fabrication of the deviceFabricates components - or selects and modifies components - and assembles these into the finished deviceUses CAD/CAM system as appropriate in this process and performs preliminary alignmentFits the device on the patient - assures preliminary alignment - and performs subsequent dynamic alignmentAssesses and/or modifies fit and function of the device as fabricated and makes appropriate modifications to insure optimum patient outcomeEvaluates patient's ability to don/doff the device - provides training to the patient and/or caregiver in its use and maintenanceThis may also include training the clinical staffCommunicates and interacts with physicians - allied health professionals - patient and caregiver in various interdisciplinary clinical settings as a subject matter expert to develop the O/P treatment plan(PM&R - Orthopedics - Neurosurgery - vascular - podiatry - oncology - etc.) Conducts in-service training for O/P staff - VSO's - as well as staff in other disciplines regarding O/P technologiesManages inventory of stock items - fabrication materials - chemicals - and componentsAssures safe workplace considering environmental concerns - OSHA/JCAHO regulationsWork Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00am to 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized