Advanced Orthotist-Prosthetist, Mobile Prosthetic And Orthotic Clinic (Mopoc) Incentive Authorized

Summary

A relocation incentive has been approved for Highly Qualified applicants

This position functions as a clinical staff member in the Mobile Prosthetics and Orthotic Clinic (MoPOC) unit as part of the VISN 9 Prosthetics and Sensory Aides Service Line (PSAS). PSAS Line in VISN 9 is a fully integrated system at the VISN level. Although our staff are assigned to specific primary duty stations at the facility level, our staff are not employed by that facility and rather work for the VISN.

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Overview

• Accepting applications

• Open & closing dates

06/13/2024 to 07/05/2024

• Salary

$82,830 - $107,680 per year

• Pay scale & grade

GS 12

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Location

1 vacancy in the following location:

• Memphis, TN 1 vacancy

• Remote job

No

• Telework eligible

No

• Travel Required

75% or less

• You may be expected to travel for this position.

• Relocation expenses reimbursed

No

• Appointment type

Permanent

• Work schedule

Full-time

• Service

Excepted

• Promotion potential

None

• Job family (Series)

0667 Orthotist And Prosthetist

• Supervisory status

No

• Security clearance

Other

• Drug test

No

• Position sensitivity and risk

Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk

• Trust determination process

Credentialing

Suitability/Fitness

• Announcement number

CBTG-12445144-24-MC

• Control number

795701200

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This job is open to

• Internal to an agency

Current federal employees of this agency.

• The public

U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Clarification from the agency

Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1. Current, permanent VA employees of VISN 9. 2. All other VA employees. 3. All other Federal employees. 4. All other applicants.

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Duties

VA Careers

• Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ

As a MoPOC clinical provider you will be required to travel to satellite clinics and on occasion to Veteran's home to provide clinical care using a specialized vehicle equipped as a mobile laboratory.

• Functions primarily as a clinical staff member in the Mobile Prosthetics and Orthotic Clinic (MoPOC) unit as part of the Orthotics and Prosthetics Lab within the VISN 9 Prosthetics and Sensory Aides Service Line.

• Assures accreditation of the laboratory and regulatory compliance.

• Performs a variety of administrative duties such as budget development, managing inventory and resources, overseeing contract employees, planning the orthotic and prosthetic schedule, conducting site surveys of commercial vendors, devising short- and long-range goals in accordance with local, VISN, and VHA central office direction; and conducting quality assurance activities, etc.

• Works with the national prosthetic patient database, national prosthetics software package, decision support system, and accreditation requirements for O&P laboratories and individuals.

• Analyzes data and provide reports using CPRS, VISTA, DSS, HCPCS codes and other patient database information.

• 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.

• Analyzes complex patients in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions, multiple complex conditions, interrelated conditions, etc.

• Assesses 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 that plan; consideration 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 complications.

• Recognizes physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life-threatening implications.

• Participates as a member of the treatment team with considerable influence in the development of the treatment plan for the most complex types of conditions. This requires advanced knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age-related competencies.

• Conducts clinical patient analysis such as gait, range of motion, lifestyle, etc. 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.

• Completes all required documentation including VISTA, CPRS, encounters, FLOW and other requirements as they evolve.

• Reviews and triages prosthetics requests daily and communicates with scheduling team as to which patients to schedule in house vs. those to be sent to outside commercial vendors.

• Performs 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 patients.

• Provides ongoing care and periodic evaluation to assure, maintain, and document optimal fit and function of prostheses, orthoses, so goods, inserts, shoes, and compression devices provided to patients.

• Provides oversight of fitters and/ or technicians as assigned based on certification requirements.

Work Schedule: 8:00am

• 4:30pm M - F during training period, transitioning to permanent schedule of 7:00 am

• 5:30 pm M- Th

Compressed/Flexible:Compressed

Telework: Not available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 30272-F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized for highly qualified applicants

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.

• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.

• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.

• You may be required to serve a probationary period.

• Subject to background/security investigation.

• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.

• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.

• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).

• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

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:

United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f).

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.

OR,

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.

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.

Driver's License: Must possess a current, valid drivers license.

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 Experience: Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-11 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 conditions.

AND,

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

In 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 (*):

1.Knowledge 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.

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) package, 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 orthotists/prosthetists in new technologies and innovations in devices.

Preferred Experience: 3-5 years Orthotist-Prosthetist experience, experience working in outlying clinics, working independently in all aspects of O&P.

References: VA Handbook 5005/91, Part II, Appendix G32

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: 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.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

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.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

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.

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• Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new window

Learn more about federal benefits.

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Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.