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Summary
The VISN 22 Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service is looking for a Orthotist/Prosthetist that functions primarily in the Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory Section for the Greater Los Angeles VA Medical Center. The Orthotist - Prosthetist or Orthotist/Prosthetist - provides the 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
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: Bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program
OR - 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
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)
Grade Determinations: GS-11 (Full Performance Level): Experience: Completion of 1 year of experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the GS-09 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 (KSAs).In addition to the education or 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
Assignments
This is considered to be the full performance level
The orthotist/prosthetist communicates and interacts with physicians - allied health professionals - patients - and caregivers in various interdisciplinary clinical settings - rehabilitation medicine - orthopedics - neurosurgery - vascular care - podiatry - oncology - etc. - as a subject matter expert to develop the orthotic and/or prosthetic treatment plan
The work includes complex patient analyses in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions - multiple complex conditions - interrelated conditions - etc.
assessment of the patient for indications/contra-indications and discussion of the assessment with the physician/requesting provider for the purpose of developing the overall treatment plan with considerable influence in the development of that plan
consideration of 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
The orthotist/prosthetist at this level is expected to recognize physical abnormalities - deviations - and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications
Preferred Experience: An ABC Board Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist/ References: VHA Handbook 5005/91 - Part II - Appendix G32 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
Physical Requirements: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects
This could include moving objects such as pieces of equipment and assistance in moving clients.
Duties
VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ Duties include but are not limited to: 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 - medic.al 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
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
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)
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 patient's functional level
Performs other related duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday - 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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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
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: Bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program
OR - 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
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)
Grade Determinations: GS-11 (Full Performance Level): Experience: Completion of 1 year of experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the GS-09 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 (KSAs).In addition to the education or 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
Assignments
This is considered to be the full performance level
The orthotist/prosthetist communicates and interacts with physicians - allied health professionals - patients - and caregivers in various interdisciplinary clinical settings - rehabilitation medicine - orthopedics - neurosurgery - vascular care - podiatry - oncology - etc. - as a subject matter expert to develop the orthotic and/or prosthetic treatment plan
The work includes complex patient analyses in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions - multiple complex conditions - interrelated conditions - etc.
assessment of the patient for indications/contra-indications and discussion of the assessment with the physician/requesting provider for the purpose of developing the overall treatment plan with considerable influence in the development of that plan
consideration of 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
The orthotist/prosthetist at this level is expected to recognize physical abnormalities - deviations - and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications
Preferred Experience: An ABC Board Certified Prosthetist and Orthotist/ References: VHA Handbook 5005/91 - Part II - Appendix G32 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
Physical Requirements: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently to move objects
This could include moving objects such as pieces of equipment and assistance in moving clients.
Duties
VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ Duties include but are not limited to: 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 - medic.al 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
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
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)
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 patient's functional level
Performs other related duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday - 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required
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