Summary

This position functions primarily in the Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory Section of the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service - located at the St. Louis VA Medical Center. The Orthotist - Prosthetist or Orthotist/Prosthetist - provides appropriate orthotic and/or prosthetic devices and treatment.

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
• 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
• English Language Proficiency: Orthotists - prosthetists - or orthotist/prosthetists must be proficient in spoken and written as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d)
• 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)
• Grandfathering Provision: Orthotists - prosthetists - or orthotist/prosthetists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Orthotists - prosthetists - or orthotist/prosthetists that do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or demoted within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• If an employee who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation - the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• Grade Determination: GS-11 (Full Performance Level): 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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
• 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
• Ability to recognize physical abnormalities - deviations - and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications
• 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
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Performs a comprehensive assessment of the patient to obtain an understanding of the patients orthotic/prosthetic needs
• Review patient's prescription/referral Take a comprehensive patient history - including demographic characteristics - family dynamics - previous use of an orthosis/prosthesis - diagnosis - work history - vocational activities - signs and symptoms - medical history (including allergies to materials) - reimbursement status - patient expectations and results of diagnostic evaluations
• Assist in formulating the treatment plan by performing a diagnosis-specific functional clinical examination - including manual muscle-testing - gait assessment and evaluation of sensory function - cognitive ability - range of motion - joint stability - skin integrity and compliance
• Consult with other health care professionals and caregivers about patient's condition to assist in formulating a treatment plan
• Communicate with patient and/or caregiver about the recommended treatment plan - and any optional plans - to involve them in orthotic or prosthetic care
• include disclosure of potential risks/benefits
• Creates a comprehensive orthotic/prosthetic treatment plan to meet the needs and goals of the patient
• Evaluate the findings to determine an orthotic/prosthetic recommendation
• Formulate treatment goals and expected orthotic/prosthetic outcomes to reduce pain/increase comfort - enhance function and independence - provide stability - prevent deformity - address cosmesis and/or promote healing
• Consult with physician/referral source to modify - if necessary - the original prescription and/or treatment plan
• Identify material - design and components to support anticipated outcome
• Develop a plan for patient needs - including patient education and follow-up
• Performs the necessary procedures to deliver the appropriate orthotic/prosthetic services - which may include fabrication of the orthosis/prosthesis
• Inform patient - family and/or caregiver of the orthotic/prosthetic procedure - possible risks and time involved in the procedure
• Select appropriate material/techniques to implement treatment plan
• Provide patient with preparatory care for orthotic/prosthetic treatment (e.g. - diagnostic splint - residual limb shrinker)
• Prepare patient for procedure required to initiate treatment plan (e.g. - take impression - digitize - delineate - scan) Provides continuing patient care and periodic evaluation to assure/maintain/document optimal fit and function of the orthosis/prosthesis
• Solicit subjective feedback from patient and/or caregiver to determine status (e.g. - wear schedule/tolerance - comfort - perceived benefits - perceived detriments - ability to don and doff - proper usage and function - overall patient satisfaction)
• Assess fit of orthosis/prosthesis with regard to strategic contact (e.g. - three-point force systems - total contact) to determine need for changes relative to initial treatment goals
• Formulate plan to modify orthosis/prosthesis based on findings
• inform patient and/or caregiver of plan to modify orthosis/prosthesis
• Complies 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 - ABC and BOC.) Follows all policies and procedures governing patient care - rights and privacy
• Participates in personal and professional development through continuing education - training - research and organizational affiliations
• Participates in product development research - clinical trials and outcome evaluation studies
• 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)
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday from 8:00am-4:30pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized