Orthotist-Prosthetist

Veterans Health Administration • Baltimore, MD

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Orthotist-Prosthetist works at the Baltimore VA, primarily in the Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory Section of the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service. The position provides orthotic and prosthetic care to Veterans, including developing treatment plans, delivering appropriate services, and providing ongoing care to ensure devices fit and function optimally. Duties may include fabricating orthoses or prostheses, assessing patients with complex medical conditions, and participating in treatment teams, education, research, and professional activities.

The position is full performance level GS-11. It follows a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Telework is ad hoc only, as determined by agency policy; the position is not virtual. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change of station are not authorized. Employment includes a one- or two-year trial period, during which the agency evaluates the employee’s fitness and whether continued employment advances the public interest.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, except that non-citizens may be appointed when qualified U.S. citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• A bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a CAAHEP-accredited program, or a bachelor's degree or higher in any major plus a postgraduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP-accredited program.
• Current board certification as an orthotist, prosthetist, or orthotist/prosthetist from ABC or BOC, with compliance with the certifying body's continuing education requirements. Technician, pedorthist, assistant, or fitter certification does not satisfy this requirement.
• One year of experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level, demonstrating the knowledge and skills needed to provide orthotic/prosthetic services in a hospital setting.
• Experience and knowledge sufficient to participate in clinical treatment teams, including medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, disease etiology, psychology, age-related competencies, and HCPCS.
• Ability to conduct clinical analyses for patients with complex conditions and take measurements, casts, or scans to develop positive molds for orthoses or prostheses.
• Ability to participate fully in treatment teams and influence treatment-plan development, with advanced knowledge of relevant clinical and biomedical subjects.
• Ability to assess patients with a wide range of complex medical conditions, including unusual problems or complications, and design unique or innovative devices to address them.
• Ability to recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life-threatening implications.
• Complete required application documentation and online onboarding; satisfy background and security investigation requirements and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• For males born after December 31, 1959, Selective Service registration is required.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period; continued employment after the trial period requires written certification that it advances the public interest.
• Education used to qualify must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and from an accredited institution. Foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.

Nice To Haves

• At least two years of recent clinical experience providing direct patient care in both prosthetics and orthotics, ideally with a diverse and medically complex patient population.
• Proficiency in patient assessment, device design, fitting, and follow-up care using advanced materials and technologies.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, educating patients and families, and using electronic health records.
• Knowledge of accreditation standards and commitment to serving Veterans.

Responsibilities

• Comply with policies and procedures for human resource, physical environment, business and financial, and organizational management.
• Follow applicable federal and state laws, regulations, and professional and ethical guidelines, including those related to FDA, ADA, OSHA, MSDS, NCOPE, ABC, and BOC.
• Document patient histories and financial records using established record-keeping techniques to verify care and other pertinent information.
• Communicate employer and employee roles and expectations through documentation to support a professional, cooperative work environment and improve patient care.
• Participate in continuing education and provide education to health care professionals, orthotic and prosthetic practitioners, associates, technicians, and office staff through activities such as publications, seminars, and case studies.
• Participate in education for residents, students, and trainees.
• Participate in product development research, clinical trials, and outcome evaluation studies.
• Participate in consumer and nongovernmental organizations to promote competency and enhance the orthotic/prosthetic profession.
• Provide continuing patient care and periodic evaluations to assure, maintain, and document optimal orthosis or prosthesis fit and function.
• Perform procedures needed to deliver appropriate orthotic and prosthetic services, which may include fabricating devices.
• Create comprehensive orthotic and prosthetic treatment plans that meet patient needs and goals.
• Attend clinics and participate as a member of the treatment team.
• Conduct clinical patient analyses, including gait, range of motion, and lifestyle assessments; obtain measurements, casts, or scans to develop positive molds for orthoses or prostheses.
• Recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions that may have life-threatening implications.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual based on prior federal work or military service, subject to request and approval before appointment and not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level