Summary

The Supervisory Orthotist/Prosthetist at this level serves as supervisor of an orthotics/prosthetics laboratory assessing - planning - and evaluating the orthotic/prosthetic program at the facility level to ensure proper coordination between the delivery of orthotic/prosthetic services and the overall delivery of health care.

Qualifications

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: Orthotists - prosthetists - or orthotist/prosthetists must be proficient in spoken and written as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d)
• 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
• 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)
• Creditable Experience: (1) Knowledge of Current Orthotist/Prosthetist Practices
• To be creditable - the experience must have demonstrated the use of knowledge - skills - and abilities associated with current professional orthotic and/or prosthetic professional practice
• (2) Quality of Experience
• The experience must be post-degree - from an accredited training program and include work as a professional orthotist/prosthetist directly related to the position to be filled
• Experience satisfying this requirement may be paid or non-paid employment
• For all assignments above the full performance level - the higher level duties must consist of significantly larger scope - administrative independence - complexity (difficulty) and range of variety as described in this standard at the specified grade level and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• Grade Determinations
• In addition to the basic requirements - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower GS-11 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
• Assignment
• For all assignments above the GS-11 full performance level - the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope - complexity (difficulty) and range of variety and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time
• Supervisory Orthotist/Prosthetist
• The orthotist/prosthetist at this level serves as supervisor of an orthotics/prosthetics laboratory assessing - planning - and evaluating the orthotic/prosthetic program at the facility level to ensure proper coordination between the delivery of orthotic/prosthetic services and the overall delivery of health care
• Responsibilities include assuring the accreditation of the laboratory - regulatory compliance - and a variety of administrative duties such as developing a budget - managing inventory and resources - overseeing contract employees - supervising assigned staff - etc
• The assignment includes performance of the full range of supervisory duties
• This includes responsibility for assignment of duties
• development of performance standards and performance evaluations
• and recommendations for appointment - awards - advancement - and when appropriate - disciplinary action
• etc
• At this level - the orthotist/prosthetist serves as a consultant within orthotic and prosthetic treatment service and with other facility health care staff in evaluating health care delivery to patients
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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
• 5
• Ability to manage and supervise employees
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• The general responsibilities of the Supervisory Orthotist-Prosthetist are to administer - supervise - or perform work concerned with providing clinical and laboratory prosthetic and orthotic services to disabled patients
• 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
• The administrative aspects of the work require an understanding of contracting - human resources - The National Prosthetic Patient Database - inventory management and knowledge of the Prosthetic national software package
• An Orthotist Prosthetist at this level must have analytical ability - social awareness - tact and diplomacy - and good communication skills
• He/she must possess knowledge of established management principles - concepts and methodology to identify - analyze and resolve managerial and administrative issues or problems of a procedural or factual nature
• The Orthotist Prosthetist at this level must be able to anticipate the need for action
• He/she must also possess the ability to deal effectively with individuals and groups and to adjust to difficult or stressful situations
• Practitioner Certification at this level is required from ABC or BOC
• An Orthotist Prosthetist at this level may serve as the (NCOPE) (National Commission for Orthotic and Prosthetic Education) Residency Director for the site - or otherwise may be required to directly contribute to the education of Prosthetic-Orthotic Residents
• Included in this series is such work as: a
• Planning - developing - and directing an Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory and related Clinical Activities at the national - VISN or local level
• b
• Serving as an advisor to physicians - therapists and other medical professionals with regard to indications and contraindications of prosthetic and orthotic componentry - prescription criteria
• c
• Develop prescriptions and authorize the purchase - fabrication or repair of prosthetic devices
• d
• Maintaining continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic supplies - inspecting their facilities and services and participating in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts
• e
• Participating in investigative/research project studies by selecting patients as pilot wearers of newly developed prosthetic items - evaluating the usefulness of such items and compiling of data
• f
• Giving technical and administrative advice and assistance on prosthetic problems to other facilities
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 8:00a-4:30p Telework: Not available
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: GS-0667-12