Orthodist/ Prosthetist

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; North Little Rock (AR); Vor Ort; USD 70.000 - 100.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

The Orthotist/Prosthetist position serves the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, PMRS Service, providing orthotic and/or prosthetic devices and treatment. Applicants pending education or licensure may be referred but cannot be hired until requirements are met.

Basic requirements include U.S. citizenship, a CAAHEP-accredited degree (or equivalent with a certificate), ABC or BOC board certification, and proficiency in English.

Qualifikationen

• U.S. citizenship required; non-citizens only if qualified citizens cannot be recruited per VA policy.
• Education: a bachelor’s degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a CAAHEP accredited program, or a bachelor’s degree with a post‑graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP program.
• Board certification by ABC or BOC as orthotist/prosthetist; current certification and CE requirements.
• English language proficiency as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d); grandfathering provision may apply for current VHA employees.

Aufgaben

• Provide orthotic and/or prosthetic devices and treatment.
• Serve within the Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System, PMRS Service.
• Collaborate with treatment teams to develop and implement patient care plans.
• Wear appropriate PPE and ensure safety and quality in fabrication and fitting.

Kenntnisse

Medical terminology

Anatomy & physiology

Gait analysis

Patient communication

Attention to detail

Ausbildung

Bachelors in orthotics & prosthetics (CAAHEP)

Bachelors + post-graduate O&P certificate (CAAHEP)

Tools

Digital charting systems

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

3D scanning/casting equipment

Jobbeschreibung

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. 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 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).

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.

OR

Experience

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.

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

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.