Orthotist-Prosthetist (Advanced Practitioner)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Jefferson Barracks (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in St. Louis National Cemetery area seeks an Orthotist-Prosthetist (Advanced Practitioner) to deliver highly specialized prosthetic and orthotic care to disabled veterans.

The role requires board certification and a strong clinical leadership presence within the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service. The incumbent will lead treatment plan development for complex conditions, collaborate with physicians and therapists, and oversee device fabrication, fitting,

Qualifications

• Board-certified orthotist-prosthetist or eligible per VA.
• Regulatory and accreditation requirements knowledge.
• Experience as part of a clinical team on complex cases.

Responsibilities

• Provide the most complex clinical and laboratory prosthetic and orthotic services.
• Advise physicians and therapists on indications/contraindications for devices.
• Authorize purchase, fabrication or repair of prosthetic devices.
• Maintain liaison with manufacturers and conduct QA activities.
• Conduct gait analysis and functional assessments; fit and adjust devices.

Skills

Analytical ability

Communication skills

Training others

Supervising employees

Education

Bachelor's degree in Orthotics & Prosthetics (CAAHEP)

Board certification (ABC/BOC)

Tools

CAD/CAM system

NPPD knowledge

PNS software

Job description

Summary

The Orthotist‑Prosthetist (Advanced Practitioner) functions in Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service within the St. Louis VA Medical Center. The general responsibility of the Non‑Supervisory Orthotist‑Prosthetist is to provide the most complex clinical and laboratory prosthetic and orthotic services to disabled patients.

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
• 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
• 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
• 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: Orthotist‑Prosthetist (Advanced Practitioner) – GS‑12: Experience
• Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS‑11) 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
• 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 (*): 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
• *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
• *Ability to analyze data and provide reports using CPRS – Vista – DSS – HCPCS codes and other patient database information
• *Ability to provide training to orthotists/prosthetists in new technologies and innovations in devices
• *Ability to manage and supervise employees (to be used if the assignment is supervisory in nature)
• This position is above the full performance level
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS‑12
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Service.

Duties

• *****This is an Open Continuous Announcement and will remain open until 12/18/2026
• The initial cut‑off date for referral of eligible applications will be 7/27/2026
• Eligible applications received will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as‑needed basis until positions are filled
• VA Careers – Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ This work requires a specialized knowledge of the medical and psychological problems directly related to the use of prosthetic devices
• and a specialized knowledge and understanding of the fabrication and satisfactory fitting of prosthetic devices
• An Orthotist Prosthetist at this level must have analytical ability – social awareness – tact and diplomacy – and good communication skills
• The Orthotist Prosthetist must be able to anticipate the need for action
• They must also possess the ability to deal effectively with individuals and groups and to adjust to difficult or stressful situations
• Major duties and responsibilities include – but are not limited to the following:
• • Treatment of all amputation levels including upper limb – hip disarticulation levels
• • Advise physicians – therapists and other medical professionals with regard to indications and contraindications of prosthetic and orthotic componentry – prescription criteria
• • Authorize the purchase – fabrication or repair of prosthetic devices
• • Maintain continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic supplies
• • Inspect the facilities and services
• • Participate in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts
• • Participate in investigative/research project studies
• • Give technical and administrative advice and assistance on prosthetic problems to other facilities
• • Follow established regulations and procedures to insure patient privacy
• • Conduct 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
• • Interview patients to determine expectations – lifestyle – home/work environment – ability to use the device
• • Fabricate components – or selects and modifies components – and assembles these into the finished device
• • Use CAD/CAM system as appropriate in this process and performs preliminary alignment
• • Fit devices on patients
• • Assess and/or modify fit and function of devices
• • Maintain professional credentials and/or competency
• • Follow environmental and occupational safety guidelines
• • Provide guidance and direction to lower graded O/P staff
• • Conduct quality assurance activities
• Work schedule: Monday – Friday | 8:00 am – 4:30 pm CST
• Telework: Available (Ad‑Hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized