Orthotist-Prosthetist

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in Baltimore is seeking a GS-11 Orthotist-Prosthetist to join the Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory within the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service.

The role requires direct patient care, measurements, fitting, and collaboration with a multidisciplinary team to deliver high-quality orthotic and prosthetic devices to Veterans. Applicants must meet CAAHEP education requirements and hold ABC or BOC board certification.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and biomechanics.
• Experience participating as part of a treatment team.
• Ability to take measurements, casts or scans for orthotic/prosthetic devices.
• Understanding of HCPCS coding and reimbursement processes.

Responsibilities

• Provide orthotic and prosthetic services in hospital/clinical settings.
• Attend clinics and contribute to treatment plans with a multidisciplinary team.
• Document patient history and care using established record-keeping practices.
• Develop and implement comprehensive orthotic/prosthetic treatment plans.
• Assist in education for residents, students, and staff when appropriate.

Skills

Team collaboration

Medical terminology

Gait analysis

Casting/fit measurements

HCPCS knowledge

Education

Bachelor's in Orthotics and Prosthetics (CAAHEP)

Board certification by ABC or BOC

Tools

HCPCS coding

Job description

Summary

The position of Orthotist/Prosthetist is located at the Baltimore VA and functions primarily in the Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory Section of the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service.

Qualifications

The position of Orthotist/Prosthetist is located at the Baltimore VA and functions primarily in the Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory Section of the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service.

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
• Education.1
• A bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program
• OR - 2
• A bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program
• 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
• Grade Determination: 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
• Experience includes: Ability to attend clinics and participate as a member of the treatment team - including knowledge of medical terminology - anatomy - physiology - biomechanics - kinesiology - physics - and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age-related competencies - and knowledge of the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).Ability to conduct clinical patient analyses such as gait - range of motion - life style - etc. - for patients with complex but typical conditions and 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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (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: Possess at least two years of recent clinical experience providing direct patient care in both prosthetics and orthotics - ideally working with a diverse and medically complex patient population
• Demonstrated proficiency in patient assessment - device design - fitting - and follow-up care using advanced materials and technologies
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams - educating patients and families - and utilizing electronic health records is highly valued
• Knowledge of accreditation standards and a commitment to serving Veterans further distinguish exceptional candidates for this position
• 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 GS-11.

Duties

• VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ Major Duties include but are not limited to: Comply with policies - procedures and regulations regarding human resource management - physical environment management - business/financial management and organizational management Adheres to established policies and procedures in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations as well as professional and ethical guidelines (e.g. - FDA - ADA - OSHA - MSDS - NCOPE - ABC and BOC.) Demonstrate proper documentation of patient history and financial records by using established record-keeping techniques to verify patient care and other pertinent information Communicates roles and expectations of employers and employees by providing documentation to create a professional - cooperative working environment and improve patient care Participates in continuing education and/or provide such education for other health care professionals - orthotic and prosthetic practitioners - associates - technicians and office staff (e.g. - publications - seminars - case studies) Participates in education for residents - students and trainees Participate in product development research - clinical trials and outcome evaluation studies Participates in/with consumer organizations and non-governmental organizations to promote competency and enhancement of orthotic/prosthetic profession Provides continuing patient care and periodic evaluation to assure/maintain/document optimal fit and function of the orthosis/prosthesis Performs the necessary procedures to deliver the appropriate orthotic/prosthetic services - which may include fabrication of the orthosis/prosthesis Creates a comprehensive orthotic/prosthetic treatment plan to meet the needs and goals of the patient Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: AD-HOC ONLY - as determined by the agency policy
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 512-00232-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized