"Alerted.org

Summary The Prosthetic Representative (Service Chief) for the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Services (PSAS) supervises staff and performs both supervisory and non-supervisory programmatic assignments concerned with rendering prosthetic and sensory aids services to Veterans through the VHA, manages and provides local-level oversight to facility (PSAS) programs to achieve mission goals. Responsibilities The incumbent performs the majority or all the following major duties and responsibilities, but not limited to: Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates and assigns work based on priorities. Identifies developmental and training needs to ensure organizational proficiency. Manges time and leave. Plans, develops, organizes, directs, manages, controls, implements, and evaluates programs for the Service. Manages and provides oversight for multiple programs at the local level and interacts with other government agencies and standards organizations. Ensures proper coordination between care delivered by PSAS and the overall delivery of healthcare within the facility. Assist in drafting and/or recommending national policies. Oversees the operation of the Prosthetic, Orthotic, and Optical Laboratories including restorations. Responsible for the professional practice of all facility PSAS staff. Advises the VA Central Office and VISN in the development of PSAS policies. Implements new, local, and national guidelines and directives. Establishes short and long-term strategic plans to ensure that programs are managed in a manner that enhances the achievement of goals and objectives. Develops proposals, business plans, and action plans to improve effectiveness. Plans and prepare budget estimates. Manages special purpose prosthetics funding and ensures proper cost controls and spending procedures throughout the service. Represents VA with other agencies on issues regarding prosthetic and sensory aids services. Responds to Congressional inquiries and other correspondence dealing with the assigned program area. Serves as a technical advisor and subject matter expert in prosthetic and sensory aids. Advises clinicians with regards to selection, prescription, and acquisition of prosthetic devices. Provides advice and guidance to clinicians regarding the selection, prescription, and acquisition of prosthetic devices. Interpret prescriptions of clinicians to make certain that medically indicated prosthetic devices and/or services are prescribed for patients. Authorizes the purchase, fabrication, or repair of prosthetic devices. Maintains continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic supplies. Inspects their facilities and services and participates in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts. Coordinates Facility level reviews and monitoring of specialty programs that include Clothing Allowance, Home Oxygen, Automobile Adaptive Equipment, and Home and Structural Alterations to assure all program activities are carried out in accordance with eligibility requirements and VHA regulations. Conducts home and vendor visits to authorize benefit payments, reimbursement and contract compliance. Ensures that issues are resolved timely. Conducts home and vendor visits. Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 20328F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a trial period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). 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: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens, necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405 without regard to the citizenship requirements of 38 U.S.C. 7402 or any other law prohibiting the employment of or payment of compensation to a 3 person who is not a citizen of the United States. Candidates must meet all other requirements for the grade level and position concerned. 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. Individuals 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. Foreign Education. To be creditable, education completed outside the United States 4 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.- Documentation Submitted 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: 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. 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. 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-13 Prosthetic Representative (Service Chief) Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 1. Knowledge of legal, ethical, and professional standards applicable to providing home medical equipment, rehabilitation services, home oxygen, visual or hearing impairment devices, assistive technology, or orthotics/prosthetics services. 2. Ability to manage, interpret, and present fiscal data (i.e. fund controls, contracts and equipment expenditure), forecast resource and equipment needs and administer an allocated budget. 3. 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. 4. 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. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: GS-13. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all 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 11 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 Preferred Experience: 1. Implements new, local, and national programs, guidelines, policies and directives specifically for Prosthetics. 2. Manages special purpose prosthetics funding and ensures proper cost control and spending procedures throughout the service. 3. Advises clinicians with regards to selection, prescription, and acquisition of prosthetic devise. 4. furnishes information on developments in the field of prosthetics and sources of supply for such devices. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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. The full performance level of this vacancy is (GS-13) . The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the (GS-13). Education Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.