Prosthetic Representative - TCF Trainee

The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. This is a trainee position that aims to train an incumbent to a Prosthetic Representative within the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service ( IISAS ). The incumbent trainee will serve under the preceptorship of a Supervisory Prosthetic Representative for the purpose of orientation.

The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is desirable for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal training plan for two years during which they are trained, coached, and supervised by a preceptor. Preceptors are selected annually, through an extensive application process, for their technical expertise, their commitment to training and the suitability of their facility as a training location. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility, Training, and Continued Service Agreements.

This is a developmental position leading to a GS-07, performing assignments intended to broaden skills and provide practical experience leading to progressively more complex assignments performed under progressively less supervision. You will ultimately acquire the background necessary to perform at the full performance level of GS-09. Promotion is at the discretion of the supervisor and is contingent upon satisfactory performance, availability of higher level work, and availability of funds.

• Assists with planning, developing, and directing a Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Program at the national, VISN, or local level
• Assists serving as an advisor to clinicians about the selection, prescription, and acquisition of prosthetic devices involving furnishing information concerning such matters as new developments in the field of prosthetics and sources of supply for such devices;
• Interpreting prescriptions of clinicians to make certain that proper prosthetic devices are selected for, or by, the patients;
• Authorizing the purchase, fabrication, or repair of prosthetic devices;
• Maintaining continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic supplies, inspecting their facilities and services, and participating in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts;
• Training will expose the incumbent trainee to the full range of Prosthetic Representative duties including data analysis, statistics, budgeting, contracting, procurement, inventory management, human resources, and supervision
• The incumbent trainee will learn how to
  • Authorize and prepare purchase orders
  • Monitor contracts for compliance
  • Receive, analyze, and process requests for prosthetic equipment and services
  • Prepare correspondence including denials and Statements of the Case
  • Implement new local and national guidelines, policies, and procedures
  • Develop tools that allow monitoring of a quality assurance program in conjunction with The Joint Commission, National Patient, National Patient Safety Goals, and ABC or BOC Standards
  • Validate data
  • Determine eligibility
  • Conduct home and vendor visits
  • Process and authorize service and payment of monthly Home O2 program
  • Coordinate Prosthetic clinics including Major Medical and Amputee
  • Prepare denials and Statements of the Case
  • Prepare and process Auto Adaptive Equipment, HISA, and Clothing Allowance benefits
  • Procure materials and supplies and maintain an inventory as applicable
  • Make and present reports
  • Maintain the service for continuous readiness for unannounced surveys
  • Develop a partnering relationship with the Union and Veterans Service Organizations

Work Schedule: 08:00-04:30 EST- Monday - Friday
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 10415F

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.
• 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.
• 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.

Grade Determinations:

• Experience. In addition to the basic requirements, one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level, directly related to the position to be filled.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
  • Ability to understand and apply processes, procedures, regulations, and laws as it applies to purchasing and the provision of prosthetic items/services.
  • Ability to coordinate multiple requests for durable medical equipment (DME), including repairs, services, and benefits.
  • Ability to act as a liaison with and work effectively with health care providers, patients, caregivers and vendors to ensure that the most appropriate device and services are received timely.
  • Ability to monitor contractors and vendors for compliance with contract requirements.
• Assignment. At this level, responsibilities include interaction with Veterans, caregivers, and clinical staff by answering questions related to benefit programs such as automobile adaptive equipment, home improvement and structural alterations, and clothing allowance programs. Assignments include developmental duties involving more complex work performed under supervision. The Prosthetic Representative addresses questions about the provision of prosthetic items, home care equipment, benefits or service issues, to include discharge planning requirements. The employee ensures requests for items or services are complete and received in accordance with established timeframes. Work may include authorizing and preparing purchase orders for a wide variety of prosthetic and orthotic devices, medical supplies and home medical equipment and repairs. For orders exceeding the micro-purchase threshold, they may conduct market research, price history review, complete justification and approval, and submit to the contracting department. They ensure correct Healthcare Common Procedure Codes are entered into the appropriate database(s). They ensure surgical implants are Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved; shipped to retain product integrity; delivered to correct location; and received before for the surgical procedure. They collaborate with clinical staff when devices and equipment requires repair or replacement and takes necessary actions to resolve issues.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Physical Requirements: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job including their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.

• 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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; and
• 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.