Prosthetic Representative (Service Chief)

Summary

The Prosthetic Representative (Service Chief) serves as the senior leader overseeing the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) at the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System. This role is responsible for directing all phases of PSAS operations, ensuring Veterans receive high-quality prosthetic and sensory aid support across inpatient, outpatient, and domiciliary services.

Duties

**Join our team with an approved Recruitment & Relocation Incentive designed to assist your transition.** VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ The Prosthetic Representative Service Chief develops and implements local policies aligned with national standards, manages multiple specialty programs, oversees laboratories, administers budgets, ensures regulatory compliance, and leads strategic planning. The incumbent supervises staff, resolves complex operational issues, collaborates with clinicians, responds to Congressional and stakeholder inquiries, and serves as the facility's technical expert in prosthetics and sensory aids. Major Duties - Manages, directs, and evaluates all Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service operations, programs, and activities at WPBVAHCS. - Supervises staff, assigns work, evaluates performance, resolves complaints, and implements disciplinary actions when needed. - Plans and oversees local PSAS programs, develops policies consistent with national guidelines, and ensures compliance with Joint Commission standards. - Provides professional oversight for prosthetic, orthotic, and optical laboratories, including fabrication and restoration activities. - Advises leadership, VISN, and VA Central Office on prosthetic policies, technological developments, supply sources, and clinical recommendations. - Oversees specialty programs including Clothing Allowance, Home Oxygen, Automobile Adaptive Equipment, and Home Improvement & Structural Alterations (HISA). - Determines eligibility for prosthetic services, reviews clinical files, conducts home/vendor visits, and authorizes purchases, repairs, and benefit payments. - Develops Statements of Work for contracts, inspects contractor facilities, ensures contract compliance, and recommends approval for prosthetic shops. - Prepares strategic plans, business proposals, budgets, and ensures effective use of space, equipment, supplies, and personnel. - Represents WPBVAHCS in external meetings, responds to inquiries, participates in committees, workgroups, and national initiatives. - Serves as technical advisor and subject matter expert for clinicians regarding prosthetic prescriptions, device selection, and emerging technologies. Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30pm, Monday thru Friday, Ad-hoc available. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 42071F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: A relocation/recruitment incentive may be authorized for this position due to documented difficulty in filling highly specialized Prosthetic Representative roles and the high cost-of-living in Palm Beach County. This incentive is intended to attract qualified candidates with the advanced competencies required to support Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Services at the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System. Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Selected applicants who are new to a supervisory role will be required to complete a one-year supervisory probationary period.

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. English Language Proficiency. Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who are not proficient in written and spoken English. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Experience and Education. Individual must meet at least one of the requirements below. Experience. One year of creditable experience that demonstrates: Knowledge of basic anatomy and medical terminology; knowledge of accounting methods; ability to research, analyze, comprehend, and apply decisions; basic knowledge of inventory management procedures; ability to use computer software packages for word processing, spreadsheet development, and database management; and ability to work independently and as a member of a team; OR, Education-Transcripts Submitted. A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution AND at least 24 semester hours in course work related to health care, public administration, or business. The 24 semester hours could include but is not limited to any combination from the following fields: occupational therapy, physical therapy, kinesiotherapy, social work, psychology, prosthetics, orthotics, respiratory therapy, assistive technology, business law, leadership, healthcare, public administration, or business management. This course work may have been completed within the degree or in addition to the degree; OR, Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Grade Determinations for Prosthetics Representative (Service Chief), GS-13. Service chiefs have full responsibility for managing and supervising all phases of Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service operations. This is the highest level professional position, at the facility, with responsibility for the professional practice of all facility PSAS staff. Individuals at the GS-13 level are typically assigned as Chiefs at a complex facility that provide multiple specialty services such as those described in paragraph 2.g and may manage more than one facility through subordinate supervisors. The chief has full management and supervisory responsibility for the PSAS program. Service Chiefs plan, develop, organize, direct, manage, control, implement and evaluate programs for the Service. They have overall responsibility to ensure proper coordination between care delivered by PSAS and the overall delivery of healthcare within the facility. They are responsible for all supervisory functions, including recruitment and hiring, administering employee leave requests and ensuring all requests for hiring, promotions, awards and disciplinary actions are justified and carried out according to appropriate VA Human Resources policies and procedures. The Chief is a member of the senior leadership team providing advice for integrated care programs for a diverse Veteran population with multiple diagnoses, and other needs. The Chief is involved in management planning to achieve medical center, VISN, and national goals. Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Knowledge, skills, and abilities at the GS-12 grade level are: Leadership and managerial skills, including skill in interpersonal relations and conflict resolution to deal with employees, team leaders, and managers. Ability to