Supervisory Orthotist/Prosthetist
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. Included but not limited to the following duties:
Treatment of all amputation levels including upper limb, hip disarticulation levels. Serving as an advisor to physicians, therapists and other medical professionals with regard to indications and contraindications of prosthetic and orthotic componentry, prescription criteria Authorizing the purchase, fabrication or repair of prosthetic devices; Maintaining continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic supplies, inspecting their facilities and services and participating in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts; 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; and Giving technical and administrative advice and assistance on prosthetic problems to other facilities. 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 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. ABC or BOC Practitioner Certification is required at this level. An Orthotist Prosthetist 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. Functional Tasks:
1. Insures patient privacy. 2. Identifies biomechanical condition. 3. Conducts 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, etc. 4. Interviews patients to determine expectations, lifestyle, home/work environment, ability to use the device. 5. Takes necessary measurements, casts or scans to develop positive molds of the affected area of the body, which are used to create the orthosis and/or prosthesis. 6. Recognizes physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications. 7. Assesses patient for indications/contra-indications of appropriate treatment protocols and discusses the assessment with the physician/requesting provider for purposes of developing the overall treatment plan. 8. Considers new and emerging technologies in designing unique or innovative devices to accommodate or treat a wide range of complex medical conditions, which include unusual problems or complications. 9. Considering the information developed through the assessment as well as time management workload considerations, designs custom devices using standard components to optimize patient performance for difficult and complex conditions; may include CAD/CAM systems. 10. Selects materials and components to be used in fabrication of the device and determines appropriate equipment to be used in fabrication of the device. 11. Fabricates components, or selects and modifies components, and assembles these into the finished device. Uses CAD/CAM system as appropriate in this process and performs preliminary alignment. 12. Fits the device on the patient, assures preliminary alignment, and performs subsequent dynamic alignment. 13. Assesses and/or modifies fit and function of the device as fabricated and makes appropriate modifications to insure optimum patient outcome. 14. Evaluates patient's ability to don/doff the device, provides training to the patient and/or caregiver in its use and maintenance. This may also include training the clinical staff. 15. Explains procedures and processes to the patient to reduce anxiety and gain support and cooperation in all stages of the process. 16. Maintains the patient's record, including the electronic record, in accordance with established JCAHO/ABC/BOC/Medical Center/VISN policies 17. Attends professional and manufacturer's training seminars. 18. Completes mandatory training per hospital requirements. 19. Maintains professional credentials and/or competency. 20. Observes appropriate, established infection control guidelines. 21. Follows environmental and occupational safety guidelines. Work Schedule:
M-F 7:
30am - 4:
00pm Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Selected applicant may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/26/2019. 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. Grade Determinations:
(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. (3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a professional orthotist/prosthetist is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, an orthotist/prosthetist would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. For purposes of this qualification standard the reference orthotist/prosthetist is intended to mean orthotist, prosthetist, or orthotist/prosthetist. (1) Orthotist. An allied health professional specifically trained to provide or manage the provision of a custom designed, fabricated, modified, and fitted orthosis based upon independent or consultative clinical assessment of the patient's unique needs and desires, as well as their expectations pursuant to a physician's prescription. (2) Prosthetist. An allied health professional specifically trained to provide or manage the provision of a custom designed, fabricated, modified, and fitted prosthesis based upon independent or consultative clinical assessment of the patient's unique needs and desires, as well as their expectations and pursuant to a physician's prescription. (3) Orthotist/Prosthetist. An allied health professional specifically trained to provide or manage the provision of custom designed, fabricated, modified and fitted orthoses and prostheses based upon the independent or consultative clinical assessment of the patient's unique needs and desires, as well as their expectations and pursuant to a physician's prescription. GS-12 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. 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 ( ):
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. References:
VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G. Orthotist/Prosthetist Qualification Standard GS-667 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12 Above Full performance.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Treatment of all amputation levels including upper limb, hip disarticulation levels. Serving as an advisor to physicians, therapists and other medical professionals with regard to indications and contraindications of prosthetic and orthotic componentry, prescription criteria Authorizing the purchase, fabrication or repair of prosthetic devices; Maintaining continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic supplies, inspecting their facilities and services and participating in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts; 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; and Giving technical and administrative advice and assistance on prosthetic problems to other facilities. 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 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. ABC or BOC Practitioner Certification is required at this level. An Orthotist Prosthetist 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. Functional Tasks:
1. Insures patient privacy. 2. Identifies biomechanical condition. 3. Conducts 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, etc. 4. Interviews patients to determine expectations, lifestyle, home/work environment, ability to use the device. 5. Takes necessary measurements, casts or scans to develop positive molds of the affected area of the body, which are used to create the orthosis and/or prosthesis. 6. Recognizes physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications. 7. Assesses patient for indications/contra-indications of appropriate treatment protocols and discusses the assessment with the physician/requesting provider for purposes of developing the overall treatment plan. 8. Considers new and emerging technologies in designing unique or innovative devices to accommodate or treat a wide range of complex medical conditions, which include unusual problems or complications. 9. Considering the information developed through the assessment as well as time management workload considerations, designs custom devices using standard components to optimize patient performance for difficult and complex conditions; may include CAD/CAM systems. 10. Selects materials and components to be used in fabrication of the device and determines appropriate equipment to be used in fabrication of the device. 11. Fabricates components, or selects and modifies components, and assembles these into the finished device. Uses CAD/CAM system as appropriate in this process and performs preliminary alignment. 12. Fits the device on the patient, assures preliminary alignment, and performs subsequent dynamic alignment. 13. Assesses and/or modifies fit and function of the device as fabricated and makes appropriate modifications to insure optimum patient outcome. 14. Evaluates patient's ability to don/doff the device, provides training to the patient and/or caregiver in its use and maintenance. This may also include training the clinical staff. 15. Explains procedures and processes to the patient to reduce anxiety and gain support and cooperation in all stages of the process. 16. Maintains the patient's record, including the electronic record, in accordance with established JCAHO/ABC/BOC/Medical Center/VISN policies 17. Attends professional and manufacturer's training seminars. 18. Completes mandatory training per hospital requirements. 19. Maintains professional credentials and/or competency. 20. Observes appropriate, established infection control guidelines. 21. Follows environmental and occupational safety guidelines. Work Schedule:
M-F 7:
30am - 4:
00pm Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Selected applicant may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/26/2019. 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. Grade Determinations:
(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. (3) Part-Time Experience. Part-time experience as a professional orthotist/prosthetist is creditable according to its relationship to the full-time workweek. For example, an orthotist/prosthetist would receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work. For purposes of this qualification standard the reference orthotist/prosthetist is intended to mean orthotist, prosthetist, or orthotist/prosthetist. (1) Orthotist. An allied health professional specifically trained to provide or manage the provision of a custom designed, fabricated, modified, and fitted orthosis based upon independent or consultative clinical assessment of the patient's unique needs and desires, as well as their expectations pursuant to a physician's prescription. (2) Prosthetist. An allied health professional specifically trained to provide or manage the provision of a custom designed, fabricated, modified, and fitted prosthesis based upon independent or consultative clinical assessment of the patient's unique needs and desires, as well as their expectations and pursuant to a physician's prescription. (3) Orthotist/Prosthetist. An allied health professional specifically trained to provide or manage the provision of custom designed, fabricated, modified and fitted orthoses and prostheses based upon the independent or consultative clinical assessment of the patient's unique needs and desires, as well as their expectations and pursuant to a physician's prescription. GS-12 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. 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 ( ):
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. References:
VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G. Orthotist/Prosthetist Qualification Standard GS-667 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-12 Above Full performance.
- Department:
0667 Orthotist And Prosthetist - Salary Range:
$75,479 to $98,126 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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