The incumbent serves as a Prosthetic Representative (Service Chief) for the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Services. The incumbent supervises staff and performs both supervisory and non-supervisory programmatic assignments concerned with rendering prosthetic and sensory aids services to Veterans throughout the VHA. The incumbent manages and provides local-level oversight to facility PSAS programs to achieve mission goals.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 09/18/2025 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. 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. Grandfathering Provision: 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: (1) 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. (2) 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. (3) 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. Foreign Education: To be creditable, education completed outside the United States must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials, and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to experience gained in conventional United States programs. 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. Grade Determinations: GS-13 Prosthetic Representative (Service Chief) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: 1. Knowledge of directives, handbooks, clinical practice guidelines, and regulations that apply to Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service to resolve complex, controversial, or precedent-setting matters. 2. Ability to manage specialty prosthetic services. This includes the ability to provide specialty services based on the unique needs of the patient. 3. Skill and ability to effectively advise senior management officials. 4. 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. 5. Ability to supervise/manage through subordinate supervisors the activities of prosthetic representatives that have diverse functions. 6. Ability to establish and monitor productivity standards and production and performance priorities. 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. 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. Preferred Experience: Experience supervising, performing both supervisory and non-supervisory programmatic assignments. Experience managing and providing oversight for multiple programs at the local level and interacting with other government agencies and standard organizations. Experience interpreting prescriptions of clinicians to make certain that medically indicated prosthetic devices and/or services are prescribed for patients. Experience developing proposals, business plans, and action plans to improve improve effectiveness. 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-13. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation and would generally not require a pre-placement examination.
Duties include, but are not limited to: Planning work to be accomplished by subordinates and assigning work based on priorities Providing direction and guidance in accomplishing major milestones, goals and objectives Evaluating work performed by employees; interviewing candidates for positions and making selections Hearing and resolving employee complaints and grievances Counseling employees and initiating disciplinary actions Identifying developmental and training needs to ensure organizational proficiency Managing time and leave Developing functional statements, performance standards and competencies Recommending promotions and special advancements for performance and advancements for achievements Adjusting workloads and projects and forecasting future work Ensuring all supervisory functions are carried out in accordance with VA Human Resources rules, regulations, policies and procedures Planning, developing, organizing, directing, managing, controlling, implementing and evaluating programs for the Service Managing and providing oversight for multiple programs at the local level and interacting with other government agencies and standards organizations Developing local policies and procedures consistent with national policies and procedures Ensuring proper coordination between care delivered by PSAS and the overall delivery of healthcare within the facility Assisting in drafting and/or recommending national policies Implementing new, local, and national programs, guidelines, policies and directives Overseeing the operation of the prosthetic, orthotic and optical laboratories including restorations Responsible for the professional practice of all facility PSAS staff Member of the senior leadership team providing advice for integrated care programs for a diverse Veteran population with multiple diagnoses, and other needs Advising VA Central Office and VISN in the development of PSAS policies Implementing new, local and national guidelines and directives Providing oversight to facility PSAS programs to achieve mission goals Serving as a technical advisor and subject matter expert in prosthetic and sensory aids Advising clinicians with regards to selection, prescription and acquisition of prosthetic devices Furnishing information on developments in the field of prosthetics and sources of supply for such devices Keeping abreast of current issues in the health care industry and technological advances Providing advice and guidance to clinicians regarding the selection, prescription and acquisition of prosthetic devices Interpreting prescriptions of clinicians to make certain that medically indicated prosthetic devices and/or services are prescribed for patients Authorizing the purchase, fabrication or repair of prosthetic devices Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 54393F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized