Prosthetic Representative (Service Chief)

Veterans Health Administration•Harlingen, TX

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Prosthetic Representative (Service Chief) is the Supervisory Chief of Prosthetics for the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System. The role administers, supervises, or performs Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Services (PSAS) for disabled patients and Veterans in the assigned catchment area. The position provides direct support to clinical areas including Primary Care, podiatry, PM&R, Surgical Services, Community Based Outpatient Clinics, hospital wards, and VA, state, and community nursing homes. It requires practical knowledge of operations, products, procedures, programs, policies, and regulations related to prosthetic services, as well as specialized knowledge of medical and psychological issues associated with prosthetic devices and their fabrication and fitting. The Service Chief has full management and supervisory responsibility for the prosthetic program, including program administration, education, human resource management, staff supervision, procurement, contracts, budget execution, inventory, and organizational stewardship. The position manages workload distribution and staff training, ensures regulatory and accrediting compliance, develops local policies and procedures, and monitors service quality and performance. It also coordinates prosthetic benefits and specialty programs, advises Veterans and clinical staff, and represents the department with internal and external stakeholders. Work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Ad-hoc telework is available; this is not a virtual position. Relocation and recruitment incentives and Permanent Change of Station are not authorized. Financial disclosure is required. The position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
Proficiency in written and spoken English.
One year of creditable experience demonstrating knowledge of basic anatomy and medical terminology, accounting methods, research and analysis, inventory management, word processing, spreadsheets, database management, and the ability to work independently and as part of a team; or a qualifying education/experience combination.
For GS-13, one year of experience equivalent to the GS-12 level in prosthetic program supervision and management.
Qualifying experience must be documented in the application and verifiable; examples include experience in a health care setting and familiarity with home medical equipment, rehabilitation, home oxygen, visual or hearing impairment, assistive technology, orthotics, or prosthetics.
A bachelor's degree plus at least 24 semester hours in health care, public administration, or business may meet the basic qualification in lieu of the experience pathway; transcripts are required when relying on education.
Compliance with Selective Service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959.
Satisfactory completion of background/security investigation, online onboarding, and employment identification requirements.
Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA Health Care Personnel.
Must serve a one- or two-year trial period, with continued employment contingent on written certification that it advances the public interest.
Financial disclosure is required.

Responsibilities

Develop local organizational policies and procedures consistent with national policies and procedures, and implement new national and local guidelines, policies, and directives.
Authorize and approve purchase orders; act as an intermediary among purchasing agents, clinicians, and vendors to procure appropriate supplies, equipment, and devices for Veterans.
Develop statements of work for service contracts and monitor contracts for compliance.
Prepare annual budget estimates, monitor spending against spending plans, analyze costs, and develop cost-containment initiatives.
Receive, analyze, and process requests for prosthetic equipment and services; determine eligibility and review Veterans’ medical and administrative files.
Identify and select national CMS/HCPCS codes for purchased or billed items to ensure proper reporting.
Establish program goals, performance measures, quality-assurance monitoring tools, and workload forecasts; evaluate results from monitors and databases and take corrective action as needed.
Respond to correspondence from Veterans, congressional representatives, contractors, and the Home Oxygen program; communicate with management and stakeholders orally and in writing.
Chair facility committees and participate in committees, workgroups, teams, national initiatives, and intra-agency activities.
Assess and provide technical guidance about equipment and benefits to beneficiaries and health care workers; inform Veterans and families about available appliances and services.
Coordinate specialty programs and clinics, including Clothing Allowance, Home Oxygen, AAE, HISA, wheelchair, amputee, Major Medical Equipment Committee, and PAVE/PACT activities; schedule Veterans and provide necessary documentation.
Directly supervise PSAS staff; manage personnel administration, time and leave, hiring, employee training, performance standards and evaluations, counseling, and disciplinary processes.
Conduct interviews and equipment inspections; authorize benefit payments and reimbursements; conduct home and vendor visits; and inspect and recommend approval of contractor prosthetic shops.
Implement Joint Commission standards of care, participate in team discussions, serve as technical advisor and subject matter expert, and ensure clinic decisions are implemented.
Manage inventory, issue inventory, and refer Veterans to appropriate clinical areas for evaluation; oversee Prosthetic, Orthotic, and Optical laboratories, including restorations.
Set guidelines and procedures for a safe work environment and safe use of equipment.
Administer the Veterans’ appeal process and ensure the proper application of laws, rules, and regulations.
Develop proposals, business plans, and action plans; manage resources including space, equipment, supplies, and personnel; and prepare and present lectures to VA and non-VA audiences.
Resolve conflicts and represent the department in public relations activities such as lectures, town halls, and in-services.
Participate in drafting or recommending national policies or directives and keep current with health care issues and technological advancements.