Orthotist/Prosthetist - Advanced Practitioner

US-Department-of-Veterans-Affair; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Oklahoma City VA Health Care System is recruiting a qualified Orthotist/Prosthetist-Advanced Practitioner at GS-12 level.

The role involves complex prosthetic care, treatment-plan development, and may serve as residency director or contribute to education of residents. Candidates must hold ABC or BOC certification, have a degree per CAAHEP, and be able to travel up to 25% within OKC locations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in orthotics and prosthetics or equivalent certificate.
• ABC or BOC certification as Orthotist/Prosthetist, current.
• US citizenship and English proficiency required.
• Experience in complex prosthetic care and treatment planning preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced prosthetic care and treatment planning for complex cases.
• Educate and train orthotists/prosthetists in new technologies.
• Coordinate clinical activities within PM&R and education programs.
• Assist supervisory duties if assignment is supervisory in nature.

Skills

English proficiency

Data analysis

Training & mentoring

Regulatory knowledge

Clinical collaboration

Education

BA/BS in orthotics & prosthetics (CAAHEP)

BA/BS in any major + CAAHEP cert in orthotics/prosthetics

Foreign credential evaluation for EPP

Tools

NPPD

PNS

CPRS/Vista/DSS

Job description

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within 4 months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (1 to 5 years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

*The Physical Medicine and Rehab service line is recruiting for 1 Orthotist/Prosthetist- Advanced Practitioner. ABC or BOC Practitioner Certification is required at this level. A Prosthetist/Orthotist at this level may serve as the (NCOPE) residency Director for the site or otherwise may be required to directly contribute to the education of Prosthetic-Orthotic Residents. This position travels to other locations within the OKC VAHCS up to 25% and maintains current qualifications for the use of government owned vehicles*

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. Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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.
    • 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.
• 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
• Foreign Education: 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.

Grade Requirements

GS 12 Orthotist-Prosthetist (Advanced Practitioner)- Above the Full Performance Level

• In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met:

Experience

• Completion 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 conditions.

GS-12 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

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)

Preferred Experience

At least five years of post-certification experience providing complex prosthetic care, including treatment-plan development, management of medically complex Veterans, component selection, microprocessor-controlled prosthetic systems, and participation in interdisciplinary amputation rehabilitation. Applicants must hold current ABC or BOC certification as a Prosthetist or Orthotist-Prosthetist. Orthotist-only certification does not meet this specialized requirement.

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

This vacancy is being announced above the Full Performance Level at a GS-12.

Physical Requirements

Ability to lift patients using biomedical techniques frequently throughout the course of a workday/shift; must be capable of easily lifting fifty (50) pounds of weight alone. Ability to walk, bend, stand, and reach constantly during the workday. Visual acuity (near & distant) sufficient to maintain accurate records, recognize people and understand written direction. Ability to speak and hear sufficiently to understand and give directions. Ability to push wheeled equipment throughout the facility. Fine motor skills adequate for scheduling and preparing patients, equipment and supplies for treatment. Ability to participate in sustained activities for many hours in duration in accordance with state labor laws.