This position is located within the VA New England Healthcare System, Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS). The PSAS provides support to optimize the health and independence of the Veteran services by completing a variety of prosthetic and sensory aids assignments, projects, activities independently to meet PSASs long-and-short term program goals.
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 must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f) 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. 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. 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: GS-7 Prosthetic Representative (Developmental Level) Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level, directly related to the position to be filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to understand and apply processes, procedures, regulations, and laws as it applies to purchasing and the provision of prosthetic items/services. Ability to coordinate multiple requests for durable medical equipment (DME), including repairs, services, and benefits. Ability to act as a liaison with and work effectively with health care providers, patients, caregivers and vendors to ensure that the most appropriate device and services are received timely. Ability to monitor contractors and vendors for compliance with contract requirements. GS-9 Prosthetic Representative (Developmental level) Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level, that is directly related to the position to be filled. OR, Education: Education equivalent to two full years of progressively higher level graduate education or Master's or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited educational institution AND at least 24 semester hours in course work related to health care, public administration, or business. The 24semester hours may 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of methods to identify trends and causation factors sufficient to analyze prepared data and gather information to inform and advise management. Ability to organize, prioritize, and monitor actions to ensure timeliness. Ability to understand and articulate the benefits program options available. This includes communicating with patients, caregivers, health care providers and vendors. Ability to apply and educate others about national, VISN, and facility directives, policies, procedures and regulations. Ability to work effectively with a clinical team and provide recommendations for prosthetic devices. GS-11 Prosthetic Representative (Full Performance Level) Experience: In addition to the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level, that is directly related to the position to be filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to work independently to set priorities; delegate tasks; meet multiple deadlines; analyze organizational problems; and develop and implement effective solutions to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity. Ability to work with a team, to provide technical guidance, plan, organize, and coordinate activities to effectively complete job duties of assignment, such as distributing workload; and monitoring the accuracy, status and progress of work. Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively, both orally and in writing, to meet program objectives. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels. Ability to assist in staff development, outcome management, and strategic planning. Ability to act as liaison between staff to resolve informal employee complaints and concerns. Knowledge of rehabilitative treatment goals and strategies that are unique to patients in specialized programs and knowledge of those specific program requirements. Reference: VA Handbook 5005/94, Part II, Appendix G34. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of 7 to 11. Physical Requirements: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job including their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
Duties include but are not limited to: Serve as an advanced trainee Prosthetic Representative performing a variety of technical, administrative, and analytical prosthetic related assignments. Obtains formal and informal on-the-job-training and exposure on the full range of Prosthetic Representative duties. Receive guidance from more senior PSAS's staff regarding complex, developmental assignments, projects, activities, and long-and-short term program goals, as it relates to prosthetic and sensory aids. Gain PSAS program exposure that is designed to build upon the advanced trainee knowledge, skills, and abilities while receiving detailed training and instruction. Serves as a team participant on local facility committees, workgroups, and teams to learn and obtain additional PSAS's training and exposure. Serves as a trainee representative at the Department's public relations activities, (i.e. lectures, town halls, and in-services). Completes advance developmental assignments and receives guidance as need on a variety of administrative areas, including statistics, data analysis, budgeting, contracting, procurement, inventory management, human resources, etc. Work closely with senior PSAS's staff to draft and develop local organizational policies and procedures that are consistent with national policies and procedures. Maintain awareness of VA's, VHA's, and PSAS's requirements by governing bodies, i.e. The Joint Commission (JC), Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (GARF) and American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC). Complete advance trainee contracting and procurement assignments working closely with supervisors and/or senior Prosthetic Representatives to prepare and authorize purchase orders for a wide variety of prosthetic and orthotic devices. Ensure requests for items or services are complete and received under established timeframes. Confers with contractors, vendors, and other health care workers regularly regarding procurement needs, referring to senior staff for guidance as needed. Monitor contracts for compliance to the statement of work; and receives, analyzes, and completes requests for prosthetic equipment and services. Familiar with PSAS compliance metrics and scorecards. Assists with developing tools that monitor a quality assurance program. Work closely with supervisor or senior staff to plan, draft, and prepare budget estimates; to develop cost-containment measures for prosthetic equipment and services; to assist with authorizing benefit payment and reimbursement. Procure materials, supplies, and equipment; familiar with inventory stock and works collaboratively with Supply Chain to provide oversight of prosthetic service inventories; and refers veterans to proper clinical area for evaluation with guidance from supervisor and senior staff. Work may include authorizing and preparing purchase orders for a wide variety of prosthetic and orthotic devices, medical supplies and home medical equipment and repairs. Identify and select codes for the National CMS/ Health Care Procedural Coding System (HCPCS). Enters codes for every item purchased through and/or billed to ensure proper reporting. Conducts data analysis using the program's statistical data to prepare various VHA and PSAS reports regarding prosthetics and sensory aids. Refers complex coding, data analysis, and statistical data related issues to senior staff for guidance. Ensure surgical implants are Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved/cleared; collaborates with Supply Chain Management to establish local procedures and to disposition implants appropriately. Collaborate with clinical staff when devices and equipment require repair or replacement and takes necessary actions to resolve issues. Use analytical abilities, communication skills, and social awareness to identify, analyze, and resolve routine prosthetic issues or problems to effectively complete assignments. Review, interprets, and applies laws concerning benefits available to disabled patients. Maintains awareness regarding medical and psychological problems related to patients Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: F03306, F03307, F03308. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.