The Prosthetic Representative (Assistant Chief) is responsible for ensuring all prosthetic services are carried out in accordance with Prosthetic and Rehabilitative Items and Services (PARIS) regulations 38 Code of Federal Regulations 17.3230, VA Directives, VHA Handbooks and VA policies. Administer, supervise, or perform work concerned with rendering prosthetic and sensory aids services to disabled patients.
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. Experience and Education. Individual must meet at least one of the requirements below. (a) 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 (b) 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 (c) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Grandfathering Provision: 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). All persons employed in VHA as a Prosthetic Representative on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: (a) Employees grandfathered into the GS-0672 occupational series as prosthetic representatives may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation, but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions. (b) Prosthetic Representatives 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. (c) Employees who are retained as a Prosthetic Representative under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a prosthetic representative. Grade Determinations: GS-12 Prosthetic Representative (Assistant Chief) (a) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, including responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; assessment of competencies; evaluation of performance; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. Ability to analyze data and make recommendations to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity within the service. Ability to manage a health care program that provides home medical equipment, rehabilitation services, home oxygen, visual or hearing impairment devices, assistive technology, orthotics, or prosthetics. Knowledge of compliance and regulatory accrediting organizations. Ability to manage, interpret, and present fiscal data (i.e. fund controls, contracts and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer an allocated budget. (c) Assignments. For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, complexity (difficulty), and range of variety, and be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time. Assistant Chief positions are normally located at larger facilities that provide specialty services to smaller facilities and report to a PSAS Service Chief. Assignment as an Assistant Chief is restricted to those serving as a full Assistant to the Chief. Assistant Chiefs share with the Chief full responsibility for managing and supervising all phases of prosthetic operations. This person functions as the Chief of the service in the Chief's absence. They develop and maintain a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operate in compliance with regulatory and accrediting organizations. They contribute to the effective utilization of resources, budgetary allocation and fiscal management. He/She makes selections; assigns personnel; and provides direction to subordinate staff. They manage the training and evaluation of staff and develop local organizational policies and procedures. Serves as liaison between Prosthetic Service and other departments. Typically, there are no subordinate supervisory prosthetic representatives at the facility level. 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. 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.
VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ Major Duties: 1. Planning, developing, and directing a Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Program at the national, VISN or local level; 2. Serving as an advisor to clinicians with regard to selection, prescription, and acquisition of prosthetic devices involving furnishing information concerning such matters as new developments in the field of prosthetics and sources of supply for such devices; Interpreting prescriptions of clinicians in order to make certain that proper prosthetic devices are selected for, or by, the patients; 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. 7. Applying and interpretation of laws concerning benefits available to disabled patients and of the regulations, procedures and practices based thereon and, in addition, 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. 8. Must have an understanding of statistics, budgeting, contracting, procurement, human resources, the National Prosthetic Patient Database, inventory management, and a knowledge of the Prosthetic national software package. 9. Must have the analytical ability, social awareness, tact and diplomacy, and good communication skills. 10. Possessing knowledge of established management principles, concepts and methodology to identifying, analyzing, and resolving managerial and administrative issues or problems of a procedural or factual nature. 11. Anticipating the need for action and possessing the ability to deal effectively with individuals and groups and to adjust to difficult or stressful situations. 12. Responsible for the supervision, administrative management, and direction of assigned PSAS staff. The supervisor is delegated full administrative and professional responsibility for planning and directing the staff activities for the section or equivalent work unit. Program areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to, procurement; PSAS clinical services, customer service/reception, inventory management associated with medical, rehabilitative, and durable medical equipment devices, home durable medical equipment deliver/set-up/installation. 13. Serving as contract officer representative for PSAS contracts and chair facility committees and administer benefit programs. 14. Providing education and training to Veterans, caregivers, VA clinical teams and PSAS staff. 15. Assuring compliance with accrediting agency and regulatory requirements; establishing and monitoring performance and quality metrics; reviewing and modifying work processes to achieve optimal efficiency and effectiveness; ensuring customer satisfaction; and taking corrective actions as needed. 16. Developing policies and procedures; managing document control; developing performance standards, position descriptions and functional statements; and is responsible for professional and administrative management of an assigned area to include budget execution. 17. Approving and disapproving employee leave requests; monitoring time and attendance; and ensuring that all requests for hiring, promotions, awards and disciplinary actions are justified and carried out according to appropriate VA Human Resources policies and procedures. 18. Maintaining interdepartmental relations with other services to accomplish medical center goals. 19. Independently planning, developing, and implementing the Prosthetics and Sensory Aids program from the general direction received from the Chief, Prosthetic Service Line who sets the overall objectives and resources. 20. Planning and establishing the work schedules, deadlines, and standards for acceptable work. 21. Evaluating work performance of subordinates; giving advice, counsel, or instructions to employees on both work and administrative matters; 22. Interviewing candidates for positions in the unit; recommend appointment, promotion, or reassignment to such positions; 23. Hearing and resolving complaints from employees, referring group grievances and more serious unresolved complaints to a higher-level supervisor or manager. 24. Effecting minor disciplinary measures, such as warnings and reprimands, recommending other action in more serious cases; 25. Identifying developmental and training needs of employees, providing or arranging for needed development and training;