"Alerted.org

Summary The duties of the VISN 20 Northwest Health Network Chief of Prosthetics Centralized Purchasing Unit are to administer, supervise, or perform work concerned with rendering Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Services (PSAS) to disabled patients. The Supervisory Chief of Prosthetics Centralized Purchasing Unit is responsible for providing services for Veterans in the VISN 20 catchment area. Responsibilities Major Duties: The VISN 20 Northwest Health Network is the largest georgraphic healthcare network in the VHA. The Chief of Prosthetics Centralized Purchasing Unit will be located in the V20 Centralized Purchasing Unit in Vancouver, WA. Included in this series is such work as: (1) 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; (2) Interpreting prescriptions of clinicians in order to make certain that proper prosthetic devices are selected for the patient. (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) Giving technical and administrative advice and assistance on prosthetic problems to other facilities in the VISN 20 catchment area. (6) The incumbent supervises all Centralized Purchasing Unit staff. S/he ensures that metrics important to the VISN 20 VPR are met. S/he ensures that proper HCPC codes are used, Surgical Compliance and proper contract numbers are used for all devices. This Position functions as the Chief of Prosthetics Centralized Purchasing Unit in the Prosthetics & Sensory Aids Service. The incumbent reports to the VISN Prosthetic Representative. The incumbent performs work in direct support of each V20 facility for clinical areas such as Primary Care, Surgical Services, Community Based Outpatient Clinics, hospital wards, nursing homes (VA , state and community)etc. The incumbent provides direct support in the provision of services, products, supplies, and or equipment requiring a practical knowledge of applicable operations, products, procedures, programs, policies and regulations. The primary focus of this leadership role is to monitor and manage even distribution of the workload among the prosthetic staff, and to assist with the provision of training for this staff. This work requires the application 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. The administrative aspects of the work require 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. A Prosthetic Representative must have analytical ability, social awareness, tact and diplomacy, and good communication skills. S/he must possess knowledge of established management principles, concepts and methodology to identify, analyze and resolve managerial and administrative issues or problems of a procedural or factual nature. The Representative must be able to anticipate the need for action. S/he must also possess the ability to deal effectively with individuals and groups and to adjust to difficult or stressful situations. Work Schedule: Sunday-Thursday 0800-1630 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest. Qualifications 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. (1) 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 (2) 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 (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. 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. Preferred Experience: Prosthetics, customer service, and government purchase card experience. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. 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. Exceptions: A pre-placement examination is required for any occupation or assignment that requires the operation of a government-owned or -leased motor vehicle in order to properly carry out assigned duties. Examinations may also be required for any occupation or assignment that requires a pre-placement examination by virtue of another policy, regulation, or statute 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 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.