Orthotist-Prosthetist

The position of Orthotist/Prosthetist is located at the Baltimore VA and functions primarily in the Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory Section of the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service.

VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ

Major Duties include but are not limited to:

• Comply with policies, procedures and regulations regarding human resource management, physical environment management, business/financial management and organizational management
• Adheres to established policies and procedures in compliance with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations as well as professional and ethical guidelines (e.g., FDA, ADA, OSHA, MSDS, NCOPE, ABC and BOC.)
• Demonstrate proper documentation of patient history and financial records by using established record-keeping techniques to verify patient care and other pertinent information
• Communicates roles and expectations of employers and employees by providing documentation to create a professional, cooperative working environment and improve patient care
• Participates in continuing education and/or provide such education for other health care professionals, orthotic and prosthetic practitioners, associates, technicians and office staff (e.g., publications, seminars, case studies)
• Participates in education for residents, students and trainees
• Participate in product development research, clinical trials and outcome evaluation studies
• Participates in/with consumer organizations and non-governmental organizations to promote competency and enhancement of orthotic/prosthetic profession
• Provides continuing patient care and periodic evaluation to assure/maintain/document optimal fit and function of the orthosis/prosthesis
• Performs the necessary procedures to deliver the appropriate orthotic/prosthetic services, which may include fabrication of the orthosis/prosthesis
• Creates a comprehensive orthotic/prosthetic treatment plan to meet the needs and goals of the patient

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: AD-HOC ONLY, as determined by the agency policy.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 512-00229-F, 512-00230-F, 512-00231-F, 512-00232-F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

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.
• Education.1. A bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program. OR, 2. A bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program.
• Board Certification. Candidates must be board certified by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics and Prosthetics (ABC) or the Board for Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC) as an orthotist, prosthetist, or orthotist/prosthetist. The board certificate must be current and the applicant must abide by the certifying body's requirements for continuing education. Certification as a technician, pedorthist, assistant or fitter does not meet this requirement.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). See the Additional Information section for more Grandfathering information.


Grade Determinations:
GS-05 Orthotist-Prosthetist.
Experience. None beyond the basic requirements.

GS-07 Orthotist-Prosthetist.
Experience. One year of creditable experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level GS-05, to include: receiving developmental assignments designed to build upon the base knowledge, skills, and abilities, receives training and instruction to develop proficiency in essential occupational tasks such as taking measurements, patient communication, and fabrication and fitting of simple appliances.
AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).
1. Knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases.
2. Knowledge of psychology and age-related competency.
3. Knowledge of materials science including materials such as plastics, composites, metals, and leather commonly used in fabrication.
4. Ability to use hand and power tools in the fabrication of devices.
5. Ability to communicate orally and in writing.


GS-09 Orthotist-Prosthetist. Experience/Education.
Education. Education equivalent to 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree in orthotics and/or prosthetics, provided the applicant's total background demonstrates the core competencies for GS-9 level assignment. OR,

Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level which demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to provide orthotic/prosthetic services in a hospital setting. Experience at the GS-07 level include: knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases, as well as knowledge of psychology and age-related competency. Knowledge of materials science including materials such as plastics, composites, metals, and leather commonly used in fabrication. Ability to use hand and power tools in the fabrication of devices and ability to communicate orally and in writing.
AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).
1. Ability to attend clinics and participate as a member of the treatment team. This includes knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age-related competencies.
2. Knowledge of the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).
3. Ability to conduct clinical patient analyses such as gait, range of motion, life style, etc., for patients with complex but typical conditions.
4. Ability to take necessary measurements, casts, or scans to develop positive molds of the affected area of the body to create orthoses and/or prostheses.


GS-11 Orthotist-Prosthetist.
Experience. Completion of 1 year of experience as an orthotist/prosthetist equivalent to the next lower grade level that demonstrates possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to provide orthotic/prosthetic services in a hospital setting. Experience includes: Ability to attend clinics and participate as a member of the treatment team, including knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age-related competencies, and knowledge of the Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS).Ability to conduct clinical patient analyses such as gait, range of motion, life style, etc., for patients with complex but typical conditions and ability to take necessary measurements, casts, or scans to develop positive molds of the affected area of the body to create orthoses and/or prostheses.
AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).
1. Ability to attend clinics and participate as a fully participating member of the treatment team with considerable influence in the development of the treatment plan. This includes advanced knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, kinesiology, physics, and etiology of diseases as well as knowledge of psychology and age related competencies.
2. Ability to conduct clinical patient analyses such as gait, range of motion, life style, etc., for patients with a wide range of complex medical conditions which include unusual problems or complications, and to design unique or innovative devices to accommodate those conditions.
3. Ability to recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications.


Preferred Experience:

• Possess at least two years of recent clinical experience providing direct patient care in both prosthetics and orthotics, ideally working with a diverse and medically complex patient population.
• Demonstrated 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 utilizing electronic health records is highly valued. Knowledge of accreditation standards and a commitment to serving Veterans further distinguish exceptional candidates for this position.

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

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-05 to GS-11.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

• 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.
• 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.