Orthotist/Prosthetist- Advanced Practitioner

Summary

Advanced Clinical Orthotist-Prosthetist operating the Mobile Prosthetic and Orthotic Care (MoPOC) program for Puget Sound VA Medical Center. Independently manages a mobile lab, traveling to VA Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) to deliver clinical care, administrative oversight, and accreditation compliance. As sole on-site provider, treats clinically complex cases including multiple limb amputations and mobility disabilities, independently developing and implementing treatment plans.

Duties

Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Clinical Care Independently manages and operates a small mobile lab, traveling via a specialized vehicle (Ford Transit 350) equipped as a mobile orthotics and prosthetics workshop/laboratory to serve assigned Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs) three days per week, with one day reserved for administrative duties, fabrication, and occasional home visits Provides care for clinically complex cases, including at least 25% of caseload involving Veterans with multiple limb amputations and mobility disabilities from diagnoses such as traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and stroke Conducts complex patient analyses, including gait, range of motion, and lifestyle assessments, discussing findings with physicians to develop treatment plans with considerable influence Recognizes complicating conditions with potentially life-threatening implications, and designs innovative devices for complex or unusual conditions Develops customized treatment plans with referring physicians, implements plans, and provides follow-up and periodic evaluation to maintain optimal device fit and function Device Fabrication and Technical Procedures Performs procedures to provide custom devices as prescribed, including casting, digitizing, scanning, model preparation and modification, material selection, thermoforming, trimming, and assembling devices Evaluates workmanship from outside fabrication facilities, ensuring structural safety and manufacturer compliance prior to patient delivery Interdisciplinary Collaboration Regularly attends interdisciplinary clinics virtually at American Lake VA Medical Center (VAMC) as a full treatment team member with considerable influence on complex treatment plans Serves as subject matter expert across settings including rehabilitation medicine, orthopedics, neurosurgery, vascular care, podiatry, and oncology Accreditation, Compliance, and Regulatory Knowledge Assures CBOC accreditation per American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics (ABC) rules, maintaining knowledge of requirements from the Board of Certification/Accreditation (BOC), National Commission for Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE), International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics (ISPO), American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP), and Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) Complies with federal acquisition regulations for vendor referrals, conducts site surveys of vendors within 25 miles of served CBOCs, and oversees contracted employees' work when applicable Administrative and Resource Management Oversees budget development, inventory and resource management, and scheduling; devises goals aligned with Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) and Veterans Health Administration (VHA) direction; conducts quality assurance activities Reviews and triages prosthetics requests daily, coordinating in-house versus outside vendor care based on patient needs and resource availability Manages a patient caseload and completes documentation in systems including Veterans Health Information Systems and Technology Architecture (VistA), Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS), and Online Workload System (OWLS) Performs inventory stock-posting, manages mobile lab equipment, places patient-specific orders, and reviews vendor quotes Analyzes data and generates reports using CPRS, VistA, Decision Support System (DSS), and Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes May provide oversight of fitters and/or technicians as assigned Education and Training Provides educational in-services to physician groups, including podiatry, primary care, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service (PMRS), and orthopedics Trains other Orthotists-Prosthetists, including residents and trainees, in new technologies related to mobile care delivery Certification and Professional Development Maintains certification as both an Orthotist and Prosthetist through ABC, including continuing education and VA-required Talent Management System (TMS) training Work Schedule: Tuesday-Friday 6:00AM-4:30PM (subject to change dependent on services needs). Compressed/Flexible: Yes. Telework: Ad-hoc, not on a reoccurring basis Virtual: This is not a virtual position. 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. 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 10/30/2026 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/13093845. 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) Professional Certification Transcript 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 (Schedule A) Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Other (1) PCS Orders Performance Appraisal 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.

Additional information

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.