Orthotist-Prosthetist

Internal Number: 831190100

Summary

This position functions as part of the VISN 20 Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service primarily in the Orthotic & Prosthetic Clinical Service. The Prosthetics and Sensory Aides Service Line in VISN 20 is unique in that it is a fully integrated system at the VISN level. Although our staff are assigned to specific primary duty stations at the facility level – our staff are not employed by that facility and rather work for the VISN.

Qualifications

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: 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 and 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)
• GS-11 (Full Performance Level) Grade Determination
• In addition to the basic requirements for employment – the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• 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
• Preferred Experience: Dual certified in Prosthetics and Orthotics (CPO)

Duties

• The Orthotist- Prosthetist duties include but are not limited to: 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 analysis in accordance with established procedures for patients with unusual conditions – multiple complex conditions – interrelated conditions – etc.
• assessment of the patient for indications/ contraindications 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
• Advanced knowledge of medical terminology – anatomy – physiology – biomechanics – kinesiology – physics – and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age related competencies
• Conduct clinical patient analysis 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 will design unique devices to accommodate those conditions
• Responsible for a patient load – and will complete all required documentation including VISTA – CPRS – encounters – OWLS – and other requirements as they evolve
• This may also include stock posting items delivered for inventory control – managing lab equipment inventory – placing orders using established procedures for patient specific needs – quote review from outside vendors – etc
• to ensure seamless care
• Review and triage orthotic prosthetic consults and prosthetics requests daily and communicate with scheduling team as to which patients to schedule in-house vs
• those to be sent to outside commercial vendors
• Perform 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
• Provide 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
• Provide oversight of fitters and/ or technicians as assigned based on certification requirements
• Orthotist- Prosthetists may be called upon to provide educational in-services to physician groups such as podiatry – primary care – PMRS – orthopedics – etc
• or other groups as assigned
• 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) and personnel policies and procedures including benefits – training – incentives – staff recognition – and regular performance appraisals
• Adheres to all policies and procedure regarding patient care – rights and privacy
• They will demonstrate proper documentation of patient history and financial records by using established record-keeping techniques to verify patient care and other pertinent information
• Treatment of all amputation levels including upper limb – hip disarticulation levels
• Serve as an advisor to physicians – therapists and other medical professionals with regard to indications and contraindications of prosthetic and orthotic componentry – prescription criteria
• Maintains as a continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic supplies – inspecting their facilities and services and participating in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts
• Preferred Experience: Dual certified in Prosthetics and Orthotics (CPO) Work Schedule: Monday – Friday
• 8:00am to 4:30 pm
• Compressed/Flexible: No Telework: No Virtual: No Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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