Summary

This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), Prosthetic and Sensory Aides Service (PSAS). The incumbent of this position serves as a Prosthetic Representative (Service Chief). They will supervise staff and performs both supervisory and non-supervisory programmatic assignments concerned with rendering prosthetic and sensory aids services to Veterans throughout the VHA.

Duties

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Duties for the Supervisory Prosthetic Representative (Chief of Prosthetics), GS-0672-13, may include but are not limited to:

• Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates and assigns work based on priorities. Provides direction and guidance in accomplishing major milestones, goals, and objectives. Evaluates work performed by employees; interviews candidates for positions and makes selections; hears and resolves employee complaints and grievances; counsels employees and initiates disciplinary actions.
• 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. Develops local policies and procedures consistent with national policies and procedures.
• Oversees the operation of the Prosthetic, Orthotic, and Optical Laboratories including restorations.
• Advises the VA Central Office and VISN in the development of PSAS policies. Implements new, local, and national guidelines and directives. Provides oversight to facility PSAS programs to achieve mission goals.
• 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. Ensures the effective utilization of resources to include space, equipment, supplies, and personnel.
• Plans and prepares budget estimates. Manages special purpose prosthetics funding and ensures proper cost controls and spending procedures throughout the service.
• 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. Furnishes information on developments in the field of prosthetics and sources of supply for such devices.
• Interprets 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.
• Conducts home and vendor visits to authorize benefit payments, reimbursement and contract compliance. Processes and authorizes service and payment of monthly Home 02 program.
• Determines eligibility for prosthetic services/items for veterans. Reviews veterans medical and administrative files; interview veterans; inspects equipment and appliances; and authorizes benefit payments and reimbursements. Ensures that The Joint Commission standards of care is implemented.
• Develops Statement of Work or performance work statements for contracts. Confers with contractors and other healthcare workers on organizational requirements.
• Coordinates and participates in team and clinic discussions with the Major Medical Equipment Committee (MMEC), the Preventive Amputee Care Team (PACT), and Home Improvement and Structural Alterations (HISA) to ensure the most appropriate items are issued and to ensure cost effectiveness. Ensures clinic decisions are based on national PSAS policy.
• Other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Full-time; Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.; Subject to change to meet the needs of the agency

Telework: Ad-hoc available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 09952-F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): May be authorized for highly qualified candidates

PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not authorized

Requirements

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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 identification 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;
• 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

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.
• 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: 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.

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).

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:
  
  • 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.
  • Ability to manage specialty prosthetic services. This includes the ability to provide specialty services based on the unique needs of the patient.
  • Skill and ability to effectively advise senior management officials.
  • 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.
  • Ability to supervise/manage through subordinate supervisors the activities of prosthetic representatives that have diverse functions.
  • Ability to establish and monitor productivity standards and production and performance priorities.

Preferred Experience: At least 2 years of prosthetics and logistics experience, including working in a clinical setting.

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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is a GS-13.

Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service, paragraph 2.

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.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.