Direct Jobs
Orthotist/Prosthetist - Advanced Practitioner
Direct Jobs, Houston, Texas, United States, 77246
Summary
This position functions primarily as a clinical staff member in the Mobile Prosthetics and Orthotic Clinic (MoPOC) unit as a part of the Michael E. DeBakey VAMC Prosthetics and Sensory Aides Service Line. As a MoPOC clinical provider you will be required to travel to Community Based Outpatient Clinics and on occasion Veteran’s homes to provide clinical care using a specialized vehicle equipped as a mobile laboratory.
Qualifications
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 - prosthetists - or orthotist/prosthetists must be proficient in spoken and written as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d)
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Orthotist/Prosthetist 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 (*): 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
Preferred Experience: Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist with at least 3 years clinical experience Experience providing mobile care Dual certification in Orthotics & Prosthetics 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-12
Physical Requirements: Required to operate a motor vehicle
Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing
May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
Duties
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 25 - 2026
The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be October 24 - 2025
Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled
Major duties of the Advanced Practitioner - Orthotist/Prosthetist may include - but are not limited to: Responsible for assuring accreditation of the laboratory - regulatory compliance and a variety of administrative duties such as budget development - managing inventory and resources - overseeing contract employees - planning the orthotic and prosthetic schedule - and conducting site surveys of commercial vendors
Communicates and interacts with physicians - allied health professionals - patients - and caregivers in various interdisciplinary clinical settings - rehabilitation medicine - orthopedics - neurosurgery - vascular care - podiatry - oncology - and/or other areas as a subject matter expert to develop the orthotic and/or prosthetic treatment plan
Attends clinics and participates as a fully participating member of the treatment team with considerable influence in the development of the treatment plan for the most complex types of conditions
Conducts clinical patient analysis such as gait - range of motion - lifestyle - etc
for patients with a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications and will design unique devices to accommodate those conditions
Performs the necessary procedures to provide custom devices to patients as prescribed by the physician
This may include but is not limited to: casting - digitizing - scanning - positive model preparation and modification - selecting appropriate materials and components - thermoforming - trimming - assembling devices - evaluating workmanship and fabrication performed by outside central fabrication facilities - ensuring structural safety and manufacturer recommendations are followed for final delivery to patients
Provides ongoing care and periodic evaluation to assure - maintain - and document optimal fit and function of prostheses - orthoses - soft goods - inserts - shoes - and compression devices provided to patients
Work Schedule: Monday-Thursday - 7:00 am - 5:30 pm (subject to change based on the needs of the facility) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 580-00950-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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Qualifications
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 - prosthetists - or orthotist/prosthetists must be proficient in spoken and written as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d)
Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: Orthotist/Prosthetist 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 (*): 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
Preferred Experience: Certified Prosthetist/Orthotist with at least 3 years clinical experience Experience providing mobile care Dual certification in Orthotics & Prosthetics 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-12
Physical Requirements: Required to operate a motor vehicle
Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation - see Duties section for essential job duties of the position
May require standing - lifting - carrying - sitting - stooping - bending - puling - and pushing
May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment
Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions
the area is adequately lighted - heated - and ventilated
However - the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.
Duties
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until September 25 - 2026
The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be October 24 - 2025
Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled
Major duties of the Advanced Practitioner - Orthotist/Prosthetist may include - but are not limited to: Responsible for assuring accreditation of the laboratory - regulatory compliance and a variety of administrative duties such as budget development - managing inventory and resources - overseeing contract employees - planning the orthotic and prosthetic schedule - and conducting site surveys of commercial vendors
Communicates and interacts with physicians - allied health professionals - patients - and caregivers in various interdisciplinary clinical settings - rehabilitation medicine - orthopedics - neurosurgery - vascular care - podiatry - oncology - and/or other areas as a subject matter expert to develop the orthotic and/or prosthetic treatment plan
Attends clinics and participates as a fully participating member of the treatment team with considerable influence in the development of the treatment plan for the most complex types of conditions
Conducts clinical patient analysis such as gait - range of motion - lifestyle - etc
for patients with a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications and will design unique devices to accommodate those conditions
Performs the necessary procedures to provide custom devices to patients as prescribed by the physician
This may include but is not limited to: casting - digitizing - scanning - positive model preparation and modification - selecting appropriate materials and components - thermoforming - trimming - assembling devices - evaluating workmanship and fabrication performed by outside central fabrication facilities - ensuring structural safety and manufacturer recommendations are followed for final delivery to patients
Provides ongoing care and periodic evaluation to assure - maintain - and document optimal fit and function of prostheses - orthoses - soft goods - inserts - shoes - and compression devices provided to patients
Work Schedule: Monday-Thursday - 7:00 am - 5:30 pm (subject to change based on the needs of the facility) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: 580-00950-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
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