Prosthetic Representative

Veterans Health Administration • Lexington, KY

3d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, Lexington VAMC, Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS). The Prosthetic Representative administers and performs work concerned with providing prosthetic and sensory aids services to disabled patients. The vacancy may be filled at GS-5 through GS-11; GS-11 is the full-performance level.

The role involves planning, developing, and directing a Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Program; advising clinicians on selecting, prescribing, and acquiring prosthetic devices; interpreting clinical prescriptions to help ensure appropriate devices are selected; and authorizing the purchase, fabrication, or repair of devices. The representative maintains liaison with manufacturers and dealers, inspects facilities and services, and participates in prosthetic appliance contract awards. The role may also involve participating in research projects by selecting pilot wearers for newly developed items, evaluating their usefulness, compiling data, and providing technical and administrative advice on prosthetic problems to other facilities. Other duties may be assigned.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. Applicants must meet the applicable education or experience requirements and grade-level qualifications. Employment is subject to citizenship and English-proficiency requirements, background investigation, pre-employment physical examination, seasonal influenza vaccination, and completion of onboarding requirements. A one- or two-year trial period is required.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Meet at least one basic qualification pathway: one year of qualifying experience demonstrating knowledge of basic anatomy and medical terminology, accounting methods, research and analysis, inventory management, computer software for word processing, spreadsheets and databases, and ability to work independently and as part of a team; a bachelor's degree plus at least 24 semester hours in related health care, public administration, or business coursework; or an equivalent combination of experience and education.
• For GS-7: one year of directly related experience equivalent to GS-5, plus the required knowledge, skills, and abilities concerning purchasing processes and rules, coordinating durable medical equipment requests, working with providers, patients, caregivers and vendors, and monitoring vendors and contractors.
• For GS-9: one year of directly related experience equivalent to GS-7, or qualifying graduate education (two full years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a master's or equivalent graduate degree) with at least 24 related semester hours; plus the required abilities in data and trend analysis, prioritization and timeliness, explaining benefits options, applying and educating others about directives and policies, and collaborating with clinical teams.
• For GS-11: one year of directly related experience equivalent to GS-9, plus the required abilities in independent work planning and problem solving, team coordination and work monitoring, effective oral and written communication, staff development and strategic planning, resolving informal staff concerns, and knowledge of rehabilitative treatment goals and specialized program requirements.
• Applicants relying on education must provide transcripts; education must be from an institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Foreign education requires a certificate of foreign equivalency with the transcript.
• Pass a background/security investigation and pre-employment physical examination; complete online onboarding and required application documentation; and participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period; continued employment requires written certification that it advances the public interest.

Responsibilities

• Administer and perform work concerned with providing prosthetic and sensory aids services to disabled patients.
• Plan, develop, and direct a Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Program at the national, VISN, or local level.
• Advise clinicians on the selection, prescription, and acquisition of prosthetic devices, including information about developments in the field and sources of supply.
• Interpret clinicians’ prescriptions to help ensure appropriate prosthetic devices are selected for or by patients.
• Authorize the purchase, fabrication, or repair of prosthetic devices.
• Maintain liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic supplies, inspect their facilities and services, and participate in awarding prosthetic appliance contracts.
• Participate in investigative or research projects by selecting patients as pilot wearers of newly developed prosthetic items, evaluating the items, and compiling data.
• Provide technical and administrative advice and assistance on prosthetic problems to other facilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package, with benefits eligibility depending on position type and other factors.
• Potential credit toward annual leave accrual for qualifying prior federal or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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