Prosthetic Representative (Service Chief)

Veterans Health Administration • West Palm Beach, FL

16h • Onsite

About The Position

The Prosthetic Representative (Service Chief) is the senior leader responsible for the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) at the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System. The role directs all phases of PSAS operations and ensures Veterans receive prosthetic and sensory-aid support across inpatient, outpatient, and domiciliary services. The Service Chief manages programs and laboratories, administers budgets, ensures regulatory compliance, leads strategic planning, supervises staff, and addresses complex operational issues. The position also collaborates with clinicians, responds to Congressional and stakeholder inquiries, and serves as the facility’s technical expert in prosthetics and sensory aids.

The Service Chief develops local policies aligned with national guidance; oversees prosthetic, orthotic, and optical laboratories and specialty programs; determines eligibility and authorizes services and purchases; and advises facility, VISN, and VA Central Office leadership. The position is GS-13 and is the highest-level professional PSAS position at the facility, with responsibility for the professional practice of PSAS staff and overall coordination with facility healthcare delivery.

The work schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Telework is not available, and the position is not virtual. A recruitment incentive is authorized. Relocation/PCS is not authorized. New supervisors may be required to complete a one-year supervisory probationary period. The position is subject to a one- or two-year trial period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated VA policy exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Meet one of the basic qualification pathways: one year of qualifying experience; 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 the GS-13 Service Chief level, at least one year of experience equivalent to GS-12.
• GS-12-equivalent experience must demonstrate leadership and managerial skills, including interpersonal relations and conflict resolution; ability to perform supervisory duties; ability to manage a healthcare program involving relevant prosthetic, rehabilitation, home medical equipment, oxygen, sensory-aid, or assistive-technology services; work-flow coordination; and ability to counsel patients and work effectively with clinical teams.
• Demonstrate knowledge of PSAS directives, handbooks, clinical practice guidelines, and regulations sufficient to resolve complex, controversial, or precedent-setting matters.
• Demonstrate ability to manage specialty prosthetic services tailored to patients’ needs.
• Demonstrate skill in advising senior management officials effectively.
• Demonstrate ability to manage healthcare programs providing home medical equipment, rehabilitation services, home oxygen, visual or hearing impairment devices, assistive technology, orthotics, or prosthetics.
• Demonstrate ability to supervise or manage through subordinate supervisors representatives performing diverse functions.
• Demonstrate ability to establish and monitor productivity standards and production and performance priorities.
• Meet pre-employment requirements, including a background/security investigation and physical examination; testing-designated positions require pre-appointment drug screening.
• Participate in the VA seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Complete the required online onboarding and application documentation; submit transcripts when using education to qualify.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must meet Selective Service registration requirements.
• Selected applicants in a new supervisory role will be required to complete a one-year supervisory probationary period.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification for continued employment.

Responsibilities

• Manage, direct, and evaluate all PSAS operations, programs, and activities at the West Palm Beach VA Healthcare System.
• Supervise staff, assign work, evaluate performance, resolve complaints, and take or recommend personnel actions, including disciplinary actions when appropriate.
• Plan, develop, organize, direct, manage, control, implement, and evaluate PSAS programs and establish local policies consistent with national guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations and Joint Commission standards.
• Provide professional oversight for prosthetic, orthotic, and optical laboratories, including fabrication and restoration activities.
• Advise facility leadership, VISN, and VA Central Office on prosthetic policies, technology developments, supply sources, and clinical recommendations.
• Oversee specialty programs including Clothing Allowance, Home Oxygen, Automobile Adaptive Equipment, and Home Improvement & Structural Alterations (HISA).
• Determine eligibility for prosthetic services; review clinical files; conduct home and vendor visits; and authorize purchases, repairs, and benefit payments.
• Develop contract Statements of Work, inspect contractor facilities, ensure contract compliance, and recommend approval of prosthetic shops.
• Prepare strategic plans, business proposals, and budgets, and ensure effective use of space, equipment, supplies, and personnel.
• Represent the facility in external meetings; respond to inquiries; and participate in committees, workgroups, and national initiatives.
• Serve as a technical advisor and subject matter expert to clinicians on prosthetic prescriptions, device selection, and emerging technologies.
• Coordinate PSAS care with overall healthcare delivery and contribute to medical center, VISN, and national management planning.
• Carry out supervisory functions, including recruitment and hiring, employee leave administration, and ensuring personnel actions follow VA Human Resources policies and procedures.
• Establish and monitor productivity standards, production priorities, and performance priorities.

Benefits

• Competitive salary with regular salary increases.
• 37–50 days of annual paid time off per year, including 13–26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, and 11 paid federal holidays.
• After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster-care placement.
• Eligible full-time employees may qualify for a childcare subsidy after 60 days of employment, subject to income and other eligibility requirements.
• Traditional federal pension with five-year vesting and federal 401(k), with VA contributions up to 5%.
• Federal health, vision, dental, term life, and long-term-care insurance; many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement.
• Recruitment incentive authorized for the position.
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual-leave accrual based on prior work or military service, subject to request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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