Summary This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit a EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply. Responsibilities The Primary Purpose of the Position is: To function as an Orthotist, Prosthetist or Orthotist-Prosthetist and will primarily provide custom designed, fabricated, modified, and fitted orthoses and prostheses assessments and services for the disabled patients' unique needs, desires· and the provider's prescription. The organizational location of this position is: Orthotics, Prosthetics, Pedorthics Clinical Services (OPPCS) section of the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) division of the Neurology Department within the Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System (OKCVAHS). Major Duties and Responsibilities: The Orthotist/Prosthetist provides appropriate orthotic and/or prosthetic devices and treatment. Performs a comprehensive examination of the patient and assessment of their individual needs and desires. The Orthotist/Prosthetist provides a formulation of a treatment plan. Designs, component selection, measurement/ casting of the patient, fabrication, and fitting of the device to the patient. Provides proper documentation of the patient record. Evaluates continuing care and periodic examination of the patient and the orthotic/prosthetic device to assess fit, function and changing needs of the patient. Reviews patient's prescription/referral. Takes a comprehensive patient history, including demographic characteristics, family dynamics, previous use of orthoses/prosthesis, diagnosis, work history, vocational activities, signs and symptoms, medical history (including allergies to materials), reimbursement status, patient expectations and results of diagnostic evaluations. Assists in formulating the treatment plan by performing a diagnosis-specific functional clinical examination, including manual muscle-testing, gait assessment and evaluation of sensory function, cognitive ability, range of motion, joint stability, skin integrity and compliance. Consulting with other health professionals and caregivers about patient's condition to assist in formulating care a treatment plan. Communicating with patient and/or caregiver about the recommended treatment plan, an any optional plans, to involve them in orthotic or prosthetic care; include disclosure of potential risks/ benefits. Verifying patient care by documenting history, ongoing care, and follow-up, using established record keeping techniques. Referring patients, if appropriate, to other health care professionals (e.g., psychologist, therapist, and or physician) for intervention beyond orthotic/ prosthetic scope of practice. Evaluating findings to determine an orthotic/prosthetic recommendation. Formulating treatment goals and expected orthotic/prosthetic outcomes to reduce pain/increase comfort, enhance function and independence, provide stability, prevent deformity, address cosmoses and/or promote healing. Providing consultations with physician/referral source to modify, if necessary, the original prescription and/ or treatment plan. Identifying material design and components to support-anticipated outcome. Developing a plan for patient needs, including patient education and follow-up. Documenting treatment plans using established record -keeping techniques to verify patient care. Providing the patient with preparatory care for orthotic/prosthetic treatment (e.g., diagnostic splint, residual limb shrinker). Fabrication/ assembly of the prescribed device by assembling selected materials/components to prepare for fitting and/or delivery (e.g., laminate/ vacuum form, remove socket/ orthosis from model, smooth and finish orthosis/prosthesis, contour side bars to model/delineation, smooth and finish sidebars, bench align components to socket, strap orthosis/prosthesis as necessary, perform final assembly of orthosis/ prosthesis for patient fitting/delivery). 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, ABC and BOC.) Additional duties may be assigned as determined necessary for the service. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 56762-A Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized EDRP Authorized: Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply for incentive. Contact Additional duties may be assigned as determined, the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements Conditions of Employment 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 dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment. Must pass pre-employment physical examination / evaluation. 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. Qualifications 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. English Language Proficiency. Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. Education: A bachelor's degree or higher in orthotics and prosthetics from a Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) accredited program. OR A bachelor's degree or higher in any major along with a post-graduate orthotics or prosthetics certificate from a CAAHEP accredited program. Foreign Graduates: Graduates of foreign degree programs must have proof of a minimum of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent, as verified through an independent credential evaluation company), with a specialization in orthotics and prosthetics. 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 Grade Determinations: GS 11 Orthotist-Prosthetist (Full Performance) 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 GS 11 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSA's): In addition to meeting the experience for the GS-11 level, do you possess the following Knowledge, Skills and Abilities? 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. 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. Ability to recognize physical abnormalities, deviations, and complicating conditions with potentially life threatening implications Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. This vacancy is being announced at the Full Performance Level GS 11. Physical Requirements: Ability to lift patients using biomedical techniques frequently throughout the course of a workday/shift; must be capable of easily lifting fifty (50) pounds of weight alone. Ability to walk, bend, stand, and reach constantly during the workday Visual acuity (near & distant) sufficient to maintain accurate records, recognize people and understand written direction. Ability to speak and hear sufficiently to understand and give directions. Ability to push wheeled equipment throughout the facility. Fine motor skills adequate for scheduling and preparing patients, equipment and supplies for treatment. Ability to participate in sustained activities for many hours in duration in accordance with state labor laws. Education 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/. Additional Information Receiving Service Credit or 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. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.