Summary

The Orthotist position is located in the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service at the Harry S Truman VA Medical Center. The primary purpose of this position is to serve as an Orthotist to meet the unique needs of 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: (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
• 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
• English Language Proficiency
• Orthotists 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)
• Grade Determinations: 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
• AND Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 1
• 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
• 2
• 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
• 3
• Ability to recognize physical abnormalities - deviations - and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications Preferred Experience: ABC or BOC Practitioner Certification is required at this level and 1 year of experience as an orthotist 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
• 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: The ability to perform heavy lifting and carrying of 45 lbs and over
• It also involves straight pulling for up to 1 hour - pushing for 1 to 2 hours - and reaching above the shoulder
• The use of fingers and both hands is required
• Candidates must be able to walk and stand for up to 3 hours each
• Additionally - the job entails repeated bending for up to 1 hour - and requires the ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously
• Near vision must be correctable at a distance of 13 to 16 inches - and hearing aids are permitted.

Duties

• VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ Duties are but not limited to: A) Performs a comprehensive assessment of the patient to obtain an understanding of the patient's orthotic needs: Attends clinics and participate as a fulling 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
• Recognize physical abnormalities - deviations - and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications
• Review patient's prescription/referral Take a comprehensive patient history - including demographic characteristics - family dynamics - previous use of an orthosis - diagnosis - work history - vocational activities - signs and symptoms - medical history (including allergies to materials) - patient expectations and results of diagnostic evaluations
• Formulates the treatment plan by performing a diagnosis-specific functional clinical examination - including management muscle-testing - gait assessment and evaluation of sensory function - cognitive ability - range of motion - joint stability - skin integrity and compliance for patients with a wide range of complex conditions which include unusual problems or complications - and design unique or innovative devices to accommodate those conditions
• Consults 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 care
• include disclosure of potential risks/benefits
• Verify patient care by documenting history - ongoing care and follow-up - using established record-keeping techniques
• Refer patient - if appropriate - to other health care professionals (e.g. - psychologist - therapist - physician) for intervention beyond orthotic scope of practice
• B) Perform the necessary procedures to deliver the appropriate orthotic services - which may include fabrication of the orthosis: Take necessary measurements - casts or scans to develop positive molds of the affected area of the body - which are used to create the orthosis
• Recognizes physical abnormalities - deviations - and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications
• 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
• Fabricates components - or selects and modifies components - and assembles these into the finished device
• Use CAD/CAM system as appropriate in this process and perform preliminary alignment
• Fit the device on the patient - assures preliminary alignment - and performs subsequent dynamic alignment
• Assesses and/or modifies fit and function of the device as fabricated and makes appropriate modifications to insure optimum patient outcome
• 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
• Explains procedures and processes to the patient to reduce anxiety and gain support and cooperation in all stages of the process
• Maintains the patient's record - including the electronic record - in accordance with established JCAHO/ABC/BOC/Medical Center/VISN policies C) Complies with policies - procedures and regulations: Completes mandatory training per hospital requirements
• Attends professional and manufacturer's training seminars
• Maintains professional credentials and/or competency
• Observes appropriate - established infection control guidelines
• Follows environmental and occupational safety guidelines
• Conducts in-service training for other disciplines regarding Orthotic technologies
• Conducts site surveys of commercial vendors to insure vendor regulatory compliance Evaluates the ability of a vendor to provide a product Responsible for accreditation compliance Manage inventory of stock items - fabrication materials - and components Policies and procedures governing patient care - rights and privacy
• Conducts quality assurance activities
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized