Orthotist/Prosthetist

Description:

This position functions primarily in the Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory Section of the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service for the Jesse Brown Medical Center. The Orthotist/Prosthetist provides the appropriate prosthetic/orthotic devices and treatment. Participates and/or assists in the evaluation and research studies. Responsible for designing and fabricating prostheses/orthotics of unusual or developmental design for the more complex cases.

Requirements:

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: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Certification: Must be board certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) orthotist/prosthetist. Education: Must possess 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above, you must meet the grade determinations below.
To qualify at the GS-11 level You must possess one year of experience as an Prosthetist/Orthotic equivalent to the GS- 9 level where you perform a broad range of prosthetic/orthotic services designing custom devices using standard components to optimize patient performance for difficult and complex but typical conditions. Assignments include clinic attendance to provide information on standard and stock items which are readily available. The work involves identification of the biomechanical condition; explaining procedures to patients to reduce anxiety and gain support and cooperation; detailed patient assessment including conducting gait analysis, range of motion, coordination and balance, and motor skills; interviewing patients for lifestyle assessments; taking necessary measurements, casts, or scans to develop positive molds; recognizing physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions; fabricating, fitting, and evaluating these custom devices; and maintenance of the patient's record AND 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, lifestyle, 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005, VA Qualification Standard Appendix G32.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Work requires regular and recurring physical exertion in standing, bending, kneeling, reaching, gripping, and walking. Sitting is required in meetings and for conducting administrative work. Work may require physical health, normal use of arms and legs, and good visual and auditory acuity.