Orthotist and Prosthetist

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application. Learn more

Duties

Major Duties, but not limited to:

• Provide the most complex clinical and laboratory prosthetic and orthotic services to disable patients. Included in this series such as: Treatment of all amputation levels including upper limb, hip disarticulation levels. Serving as advisor to physicians, therapists and other medical professionals with regard to indication s and contraindications of prosthetics and orthotics componentry, prescription criteria. Authorizing the purchase, fabrication or repair of prosthetic devices.
• Management and operation of programs of orthotics, prosthetics and footwear devices. Assists the professional staff in the treatment and care of seriously disabled veterans to include amputees, spinal cord injury patients, and those with related disabilities requiring the use of orthotic, prosthetic, and footwear devices to take the place of, or assist a part* or function of the body which is lost or impaired. Strives for continuous improvement of the use of equipment and funding resources in order to eliminate delays of delivery that reduce hospital days and to expedite rehabilitation of patients so that they may return to their daily lives.
• Sets up evaluation techniques in order to evaluate current and proposed programs, so as to determine the need for changes or the advantages of new technology or products. Takes responsibility for the overall operating budget of the laboratory including costs of materials, supplies and equipment. Proposes and provides justification for the necessary equipment to support the operation of the laboratory.
• Continually reviews the overall program as to needs and strives to reduce cost of materials by evaluation of techniques in fabrication and the actual needs of the finished products. Changes procedures on own initiative to improve service or produce a cost savings.
• Carries out the responsibilities of special clinics including Prosthetic and Orthotic Clinic, ensuring that program goals are met. Incumbent is responsible for assisting in the prescription of ali orthotic and prosthetic devices as a consultant for the Orthopedic, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, and Vascular services. Also assists in the prescriptions of those same types of devices for Rheumatology, Ambulatory Care, Surgical and General Medicine Services.
• Assists in the evaluation of the final product as to the specifications of the prescriptions, fit and alignment and patient comfort. This station accepts patients whom are difficult to fit with a proper device. These include patients with very short stumps or extensive scarring, paraplegic, quadriplegic, and other patients requiring special supports.
• Responsible for performing a broad range of work for the patients listed above. This involves the design, choice of materials fabrication thereof, fitting and final adjustments. Each device is constructed and fitted to meet the most rigid - prescription requirements. Employee must be aware of the psychological problems of the patients related or unrelated to the physical disability. This also involves consultations with the prescribing physician related to the prescription of the proper device.
• Employee must be aware of the psychological problems of the patients related or unrelated to the physical disability. This also involves consultations with the prescribing physician related to the prescription of the proper device.
• Maintains current knowledge of new items and procedures. Must recognize and accept those which are superior and reject those which are inferior to items customarily used. The incumbent deals directly with physicians from Surgery Service, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Service, Orthopedic Service, Vascular Service, and any other service which would have a patient in need of an orthotic or prosthetic device.
• Must have the analytical ability, social awareness, tact and diplomacy and good communication skills.
• He/she must also possess the ability to deal effectively with the individuals and groups and to adjust to difficult of stressful situations.

Work Schedule: 8:00am- 4:30pm Monday to Friday.

Compressed/Flexible:Not Available

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 00000

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives:

EDRP Authorized: Eliegible Contact VISN 8 Compensation Center of Excellence at , and the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance.*See "Additional Information" section below for more details.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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