Prosthetic Representative (Assistant Chief)

Summary

The Prosthetic Representative (Assistant Chief) for the Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks is fully responsible for sharing full responsibility with the Chief for directing, supervising, and managing all phases of the prosthetic service operations. This individual serves as Chief of the service in the Chief's absence. The VHSO has active specialty services including Spinal Cord Injury, Home Based Primary Care, Low Vision services, and Prosthetic Implants.

Duties

Duties of the Prosthetic Representative (Assistant Chief) include, but are not limited to: Manages procurement and contracting for the VHSO Prosthetic Program to include, distributing national prosthetic contract requirements and guidelines as part of the National Prosthetics Clinical Management Program (PCMP) to staff, reviewing PCMP contract compliance, ensuring usage of Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) contracts, and VISN 16 contracts and blanket purchasing agreements (BPA), preparing procurement requests, evaluating proposals for work, acting as a COR for procurements and VISN 16 contracts, and/or maintaining procurement and contracting records. Reviews contracting and procurement for small procurements that require varying approaches initiation of new ideas and demonstrated resourcefulness. Initiates and prepares contracts to secure adequate resources to facilitate operations to include determining appropriate costs, performs costs analyses, and communicates both orally and in writing with contractors. Incumbent exercises authorizations for obligation and expenditures of funds. Contributes to developing an annual specific-purpose budget for the Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service by evaluating financial trends, ensuring compliance with agency guidance, and executing the budget on a facility program level. Coordinates budget and planning processes in order to inform upper management on key issues, which impacts agency processes and decision-making and future facility budget planning. Gathers information for programs and reviews budget formulations and workload analysis submissions. Monitors budget allocation and execution to ensure that operating program objectives are met. Performs in-depth, rigorous analysis of budget requests by employing techniques such as cost benefit analysis, program trade-offs, and exploring alternative methods of funding. Monitors the use and rate of expenditure of budgeted funds through continuing dialogue with facility administrative and clinical staff, review of written documents, and examination of obligations and expense totals. Determines the service's personnel requirements and controlling expenditures. Determines resource requirements and recommends resource allocations based on priorities and needs. Follows the network business plan through the coordination and cooperation of the facility's prosthetic program and ensures that the functions, abilities, and plans link to and effectively supports VHA, Network, VHSO and VISN 16 Prosthetics initiatives, goals, plans, programs, and achievements with internal and external stakeholders. Ensure that objective requirements of Public Law 104-262 (Provision of Prosthetic Services) and Public Law 107-135 to maintain capacity to provide for the specialized treatment and rehabilitative needs of disabled Veterans (including spinal cord dysfunction, blindness, amputations, and mental illness) are met. Participates in national initiatives, intra-agency workgroups and/or committees. Assists in the drafting and/or recommending national policies or directives. Works with facility to develop policy, SOP's, and memorandums that align with national policies and directives. Seeks best practices from other VHA facilities to enhance PSAS's program to meet Veteran's needs. Develops functional statements, performance standards and competencies. Handles administrative matters pertinent to all issues related to the facilities Prosthetic Program. Prepares specific instructions for ongoing operations and/or implements policies designated by higher-level personnel. Serves on or chairs various committees such as the Home Oxygen Committee, or any others as assigned by the Medical Center. Ensures compliance with Joint Commission Home Care and hospital standards and other regulations governing this function; works closely with oxygen and medical equipment companies to assure maximum delivery of their services and compliance to their contracts; coordinates quality assurance monitoring of this equipment program and represents program to Joint Commission and VA audit teams. Furthering the goals of equal employment opportunity by taking positive steps to assure the accomplishment of affirmative action objectives and by adhering to nondiscriminatory employment practices in regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or handicap. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 564-00584-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

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. Must be able to independently operate Government Vehicle. Must provide clean driving record report from the DMV during the pre-employment process. 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 and evaluation

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

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/.

How to apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/21/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13057422. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package. NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Required documents

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes: Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Resume Requirement: Your resume must include all of the following information for each position listed: Job title, description of duties, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment; AND average hours worked per week. SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applicable for Eligibility): Most recent SF-50 if you are a current or former Federal employee Examples of appropriate SF-50's include: Within grade increases at the highest grade held; or Promotions with an effective date more than one year old; or SF-50's at the highest grade held with an effective date more than one year old. The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. Cover Letter DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) Professional Certification Separation Notice (RIF) SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and dates of impending separation. Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference. Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

Additional information

Area of consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order: 1st Area of Consideration - current permanent "Veterans Health Care Systems of the Ozarks" employees; 2nd Area of Consideration - current permanent Veterans Healthcare Administration employees; 3rd Area of Consideration - current permanent VA Nationwide employees; 4th Area of Consideration - all other applicants based on Veterans' Preference. 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. 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.