Summary

The Orthotist/Prosthetist works within the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service providing appropriate orthotic and/or prosthetic care to meet the needs and goals of the patient by providing 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
• 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
• 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)
• Grandfathering Provision
• Orthotists - prosthetists - or orthotist/prosthetists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and certification that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Orthotists - prosthetists - or orthotist/prosthetists that do not meet the basic requirements for education and certification may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or demoted within the occupation - but may not be promoted beyond the journey level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required credentials as a condition of employment in the occupation
• If an employee who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation - the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• 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: In addition to the basic requirements - you must also meet the grade level requirements
• Orthotist/Prosthetist is an allied health professional specifically trained to provide or manage the provision of custom designed - fabricated - modified and fitted orthoses and prostheses based upon the independent or consultative clinical assessment of the patient's unique needs and desires - as well as their expectations and pursuant to a physician's prescription
• GS-11 (Full Performance Level) Experience
• Completion of 1 year of experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-09) 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 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
• 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 11
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

Duties

• This is an open continuous announcement and will remain open until June3 - 2026
• Qualified applicants will be considered and referred as vacancies become available
• VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and may be taken down at any time
• Applications will be reviewed and referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled
• Duties of the Orthotist/Prosthetist may include - but are not limited to: Assists 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
• Consults with other health care professionals and caregivers about patient's condition to assist in formulating a treatment plan
• Communicates with patient and/or caregiver about the recommended treatment plan - and any optional plans - to involve them in orthotic or prosthetic care
• include disclosure of potential risks/benefits
• Verifies patient care by documenting history - ongoing care and follow-up - using established record-keeping techniques
• Refers patient - if appropriate - to other health care professionals (e.g. - psychologist - therapist - physician) for intervention beyond orthotic/prosthetic scope of practice
• Formulates 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
• Identifies appropriate materials - components and specifications for orthosis/prosthesis based on patient criteria to ensure optimum strength - durability and function as required
• Prepares delineation/impression/template for modification/fabrication
• Assesses devices for structural safety and ensure that manufacturers' guidelines have been followed prior to patient fitting/delivery
• Completes fabrication process after achieving optimal fit of orthosis/prosthesis
• Educates/counsels patient and/or caregiver about the use and maintenance of the orthosis/prosthesis
• Develops a plan for patient needs - including patient education and follow-up
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday
• 8:00 a.m
• - 4:30 p.m
• Compressed/Flexible: Not available Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 51905F
• 51906F
• 51907F
• 40458F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized