This position functions primarily in the Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory Section of the Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service, located at the Orlando VAMC. The Orthotist Prosthetist provides custom, prefabricated, off the shelf orthoses prosthesis that need limited or no modification. **A Recruitment Incentive may be authorized for a highly qualified candidate subject to approval, available funding, and in accordance with agency policy.**
Applicants must meet the requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 05/23/2025 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. MSTs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j, of VA Handbook 5005. 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. Current federal employees 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). Grandfathering Provision. Orthotists, prosthetists, or orthotist/prosthetists employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard (03/21/2017) 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. GRADE DETERMINATIONS: In addition to the basic requirements, you must also meet the grade level requirements. For purposes of this VA occupation standard, the reference "orthotist/prosthetist" is intended to mean orthotist, prosthetist, or orthotist/prosthetist. 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-05 Grade Level (Entry Level) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. GS-07 Grade Level Experience. One year of creditable experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases. Knowledge of psychology and age-related competency. Knowledge of materials science including materials such as plastics, composites, metals, and leather commonly used in fabrication. Ability to use hand and power tools in the fabrication of devices. Ability to communicate orally and in writing. GS-9 Grade Level Education. Education equivalent to 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree in orthotics and/or prosthetics, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the core competencies for GS-9 level assignment.-OR-, Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-07) which demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to provide orthotic/prosthetic services in a hospital setting. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the education or experience above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: Ability to attend clinics and participate as a member of the treatment team. This includes knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age-related competencies. Knowledge of the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS). Ability to conduct clinical patient analyses such as gait, range of motion, life style, etc., for patients with complex but typical conditions. Ability to take necessary measurements, casts, or scans to develop positive molds of the affected area of the body to create orthoses and/or prostheses. GS-11 Grade Level (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: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005/91, dated March 2017. For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/OHRM/QualificationStandards/HT38/0667-Orthotist-Prosthetist.pdf. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019
The Orthotist-Prosthetist functions primarily in the Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory Section of the Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service at the Orlando VAMC. The Orthotist/Prosthetist provides appropriate orthotic and/or prosthetic devices and treatment. To accomplish this goal, the Orthotist/Prosthetist: Conducts an examination of the patient and assessment of their individual needs and desires. Ensures compliance with the treatment plan. Designs, selects components, takes measurements/casting of the patient, executes fabrication and fitting of the device to the patient. Ensures proper documentation of the patient record. Provides continuing care and periodic examination of the patient and the orthotic/prosthetic device to assess fit, function and changing needs of the patient. This is a developmental position and duties may include but are not limited to the following at each progressive grade level up to the full-performance level (GS-11): GS-05 Participates with the orthotist prosthetist in the assessment of the patient to obtain an understanding of the patient's orthotic/prosthetic needs and desires. Participates with the orthotist prosthetist in the formulation of an orthotic and/or prosthetic treatment plan to meet the specific needs and goals of the patient. Participates with the orthotist prosthetist in the performance of the necessary procedures to deliver the appropriate orthotic and or prosthetic services. Participates with the orthotist prosthetist in the performance in appropriate follow-up care to assure optimal fit and function of the orthosis/prosthesis. Complies with practice, procedures and regulations regarding human resource management, physical environment management, business/financial management and organizational management. GS-07 Performs a limited assessment of the patient to obtain an understanding of the patient's orthotic prosthetic needs and desires under the supervision of the orthotist prosthetist. In conjunction with the orthotist prosthetist formulates an orthotic prosthetic treatment plan to meet the specific needs and goals of the patient. Within scope of this functional statement, performs the necessary procedures to deliver the appropriate orthotic services, which may include modification of the orthosis. Within scope of this functional statement, provides appropriate follow up care to assure optimal fit and function of the orthosis prosthesis. Complies with practice, procedures and regulations regarding human resource management, physical environment management, business/financial management and organizational management. GS-09 Performs a limited assessment of the patient to obtain an understanding of the patients orthotic prosthetic needs. This includes, but is not limited to, the evaluation of the following: physical assessment circulation skin integrity posture orthotic prosthetic requirements Within the scope of privileging, follows an orthotic prosthetic treatment plan to meet specific needs and goals of the patient. Within scope of privileging, performs the necessary procedures to deliver the appropriate orthotic prosthetic device. Within scope of privileging, provide continuing patient care and periodic evaluation to assure/maintain/document optimal fit and function of the orthosis prosthesis. Complies with policies, procedures and regulations regarding human resource management, physical environment management, business/financial management and organizational management. Participate in personal and professional development through continuing education, training, research and organizational affiliations GS-11 Performs a limited assessment of the patient to obtain an understanding of the patients orthotic/prosthetic needs. Within the scope of privileging, follows an orthotic/prosthetic treatment plan to meet specific needs and goals of the patient Within scope of privileging, performs the necessary procedures to deliver the appropriate orthotic/prosthetic services, which may include fabrication of the orthosis/prosthesis Within scope of privileging, provide continuing patient care and periodic evaluation to assure/maintain/document optimal fit and function of the orthosis/prosthesis Complies with policies, procedures and regulations regarding human resource management, physical environment management, business/financial management and organizational management. Participate in personal and professional development through continuing education, training, research and organizational affiliations. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 82453F, 82454F, 82455F, 80142F / ORTHOTIST/PROSTHETIST Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for a highly qualified candidate subject to approval, available funding, and in accordance with agency policy. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized