Orthotist/Prosthetist - Advanced Practitioner

Summary

The Orthotist/Prosthetist - Advanced Practitioner works as a team member of the Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service within the Philadelphia VA Medical Center. The general responsibility of the Non-Supervisory Orthotist/Prosthetist is to provide the most complex clinical and laboratory prosthetic and orthotic services to disabled patients.

Duties

Duties for this position include but are not limited to: (1) Treatment of all amputation levels including upper limb, hip disarticulation levels; (2) Serving as an advisor to physicians, therapists and other medical professionals with regard to indications and contraindications of prosthetic and orthotic componentry, prescription criteria; (3) Authorizing the purchase, fabrication or repair of prosthetic devices; (4) Maintaining continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic supplies, inspecting their facilities and services and participating in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts; (5) Participating in investigative/research project studies by selecting patients as pilot wearers of newly developed prosthetic items, evaluating the usefulness of such items and compiling of data; and (6) Giving technical and administrative advice and assistance on prosthetic problems to other facilities. This work requires a specialized knowledge of the medical and psychological problems directly related to the use of prosthetic devices; and a specialized knowledge and understanding of the fabrication and satisfactory fitting of prosthetic devices. An Orthotist Prosthetist at this level must have analytical ability, social awareness, tact and diplomacy, and good communication skills. The Orthotist Prosthetist at this level must be able to anticipate the need for action. He/she must also possess the ability to deal effectively with individuals and groups and to adjust to difficult or stressful situations. ABC or BOC Practitioner Certification is required at this level. An Orthotist Prosthetist at this level may serve as the (NCOPE) Residency Director for the site, or otherwise may be required to directly contribute to the education of Prosthetic-Orthotic Residents. Functional tasks for this position include but are not limited to: Identifies biomechanical condition. Conducts gait analysis, range of motion, coordination and balance, motor skills, and clinical assessment studies in accordance with occupational principles for unusual conditions, multiple complex interrelated conditions, etc. Interviews patients to determine expectations, lifestyle, home/work environment, ability to use the device. Takes necessary measurements, casts or scans to develop positive molds of the affected area of the body, which are used to create the orthosis and/or prosthesis. Recognizes physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications. Assesses patient for indications/contra-indications of appropriate treatment protocols and discusses the assessment with the physician/requesting provider for purposes of developing the overall treatment plan. Considers 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. Designs custom devices using standard components to optimize patient performance for difficult and complex conditions; may include CAD/CAM systems. Fabricates components, or selects and modifies components, and assembles these into the finished device. Uses CAD/CAM system as appropriate in this process and performs preliminary alignment. Fits the device on the patient, assures preliminary alignment, and performs subsequent dynamic alignment. Explains procedures and processes to the patient to reduce anxiety and gain support and cooperation in all stages of the process. Maintains the patient's record, including the electronic record, in accordance with established JCAHO/ABC/BOC/Medical Center/VISN policies. Attends professional and manufacturer's training seminars. Communicates and interacts with physicians, allied health professionals, patient and caregiver in various interdisciplinary clinical settings as a subject matter expert to develop the O/P treatment plan. (PM&R, Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, vascular, podiatry, oncology, etc.) Conducts in-service training for O/P staff, VSO's, as well as staff in other disciplines regarding O/P technologies. Provides guidance and direction to lower graded O/P staff. Manages the daily operations of a small to medium Lab. Additional duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30AM - 4:00PM Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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: (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. 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. 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 English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d). 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 for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. GS-12 (Above Full Performance Level) Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level as an orthotist/prosthetist functioning as a full member of the clinical team which includes significant involvement in treatment plan development for the most complex types of conditions. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSA and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment- specific KSAs designated by an asterisk (*): 1. Knowledge of regulatory requirements established by the ABC, BOC, the National Committee for Orthotic/Prosthetic Education (NCOPE), the International Association of Orthotists and Prosthetists (IAOP), the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP), Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), etc. *2. Knowledge of administrative functions including budget development and management, inventory management, space and workload planning, as well as knowledge of the National Prosthetic Patient Database (NPPD), knowledge of the Prosthetic National Software (PNS) package, Decision Support System (DSS), and knowledge o