Amputation System of Care Orthotist/Prosthetist-Regional Clinical Director

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. 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: Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): *1. Ability to manage and supervise prosthetic and orthotic laboratories, conduct site visits, and review the functional level of each lab. 2. Knowledge of ABC, BOC, OSHA, and JCAHO standards and Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service policies and ability to apply these in the daily operations of orthotic and prosthetic laboratories. *3. Ability to provide training in new technologies involving CAD/CAM systems and devices such as computerized foot orthoses, myoelectric prostheses, and energy storing components, neuro and brain machine interface systems. 4. Ability to apply knowledge of the theories and principles used in orthotics and prosthetics to teach custom design and fabrication of devices that are innovative, complex, and/or unusual in nature. *5. Ability to function as a team member or leader with orthotists, prosthetists, and other professionals on committees to review local and national agenda items and to make recommendations based on the review. 6. Ability to develop reports and present at the national level to VHA leadership, Congressional members, and organizations such as AAOP, AOPA, and VSOs. Assignment. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. The national clinical manager/national director is responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of a VHA nationwide delivery system for orthotic/prosthetic appliances; and related services. The assignment involves establishing performance standards for VA orthotic and prosthetic laboratories; assessment of VA orthotist/prosthetist certification; accreditation of VA orthotic /prosthetic laboratories; establishing and implementing an educational plan for clinical and technical orthotic and prosthetic laboratories staff; representing the VA as a liaison to Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services; establishing uniform competency assessment procedures for VA orthotic and prosthetic laboratories; developing and monitoring orthotic/prosthetic resident NCOPE accreditation and university preceptorship programs; establishing and implementing a communication system for clinical staff; and acting as a VA orthotic and prosthetic laboratory representative on prosthetic clinical management workgroups. 5. DEVIATIONS a. An approving official may, under unusual circumstances, approve reasonable deviations to the grade determination requirements for an employee whose composite record of accomplishments, performance, and qualifications, as well as current assignment, warrants such action based on demonstrated competence to meet the requirements of the proposed grade. Under no circumstances will the certification or education requirements be waived. The placement of individuals in grade levels or assignments not described in this standard may only be approved by the Under Secretary for Health, or designee, in VHA Central Office prior to placement in the position. Preferred Experience: 1. Certified in both orthotics and prosthetic disciplines 2. Ability to lead prosthetic and orthotic clinical services 3. Knowledge of ABC, BOC, OSHA, NCOPE, CARF, and JC standards and Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service policies and ability to apply these in the daily operations of orthotic and prosthetic clinical services. 4. Ability to organize and provide training in new technologies, techniques, and devices. 5. Ability to apply knowledge of the theories and principles used in orthotics and prosthetics to care for patients and teach other healthcare providers in the design and fabrication of devices that are innovative, complex and/or unusual in nature. 6. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with individuals at all organization levels including clinical and administrative staff. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS14. Physical Requirements: Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
The Prosthetist-Orthotist Regional Clinical Director, provides leadership for regional O&P Services and works under the supervision of the Regional Amputation Center Medical Director in collaboration with the VISN Prosthetic Representative (VPR) in the VISN where the Regional Amputation Center (RAC) resides.