Prosthetic Representative (Assistant Chief)
What you'd do
The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. PLEASE READ THE COMPLETE ANNOUNCEMENT TO ENSURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS AND SUBMIT A COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKET.
Major duties
The incumbent will share full responsibility with the Chief; supervising all phases of prosthetic operations, and will serve as Chief of the service in the Chief's absence. The incumbent serves as an expert advisor analyzing, evaluating, planning, developing, and administering work concerned with prosthetic and sensory aids services to patients. Other duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Serves as a Prosthetic Representative (Assistant Chief) completing a variety of supervisory and non-supervisory prosthetic and sensory aids assignments, projects, and activities independently to meet PSASs long-and-short term program goals. Plans, develops, and directs a Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Program at the national, VISN, or local level. Advises the VA Central Office for the development of PSAS policies and manages and provides national-level oversight to a VISN or facility PSAS program to achieve VHA's overall mission goals. Leads projects and project teams on activities related to prosthetic and sensory aid activities. Completes a variety of non-supervisory ad hoc projects and assignments personally as needed. Manages a health care program that provides home medical equipment, rehabilitation services, home oxygen, visual or hearing impairment devices, assistive technology, orthotics, or prosthetics. Serves as an Assistant Chief located at larger facilities that provide specialty services to smaller facilities and report to a PSAS Service Chief. Shares with the Chief full responsibility for managing and supervising all phases of prosthetic operations. Completes human resources assignments independently, including drafting and developing functional statements, performance standards, and competencies. Makes PSAS's staff selections; assigns personnel; and provides direction to subordinate staff. Serves as liaison between Prosthetic Service and other departments. Serves as an advisor to clinicians regarding the selection, prescription, and acquisition of prosthetic devices involving furnishing information concerning such matters as, new developments in the field of prosthetics and sources of supply for such devices. Interprets prescriptions of clinicians to make certain that proper prosthetic devices are selected for, or by, the patients. Authorizes the purchase, fabrication, or repair of prosthetic devices. Maintains continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic supplies, inspecting their facilities and services and participating in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts; Analyzes data and make recommendations to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity within the service. Assures compliance with accrediting agency and regulatory requirements. Develops and maintains a system of internal reviews that ensure service programs operate in compliance with regulatory and accrediting organizations. Identifies and selects national CMS/ Health Care Procedural Coding System (HCPCS) codes are entered for every item purchased through and/or billed to ensure proper reporting. Collaborates with clinical staff and Supply Chain Management to ensure surgical implants are Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved; Collaborates with clinical staff when devices and equipment require repair or replacement and takes necessary actions to resolve issues Contributes to the effective utilization of resources, budgetary allocation, and fiscal management. Develops cost-containment measures for prosthetic equipment and services; to authorize benefit payment and reimbursement. Authorizes the purchase, fabrication, fitting, or repair of prosthetic devices. Serves as a VHA and PSAS representative on local facility committees, workgroups, and teams to address a variety of PSAS's issues, initiatives, and projects. Drafts, develops, and implements new local organizational policies, directives, and procedures that are consistent with national policies, procedures, programs, and processes. Provides documents to the supervisor for final approval after the incumbent submits final, review, comments, and recommendations. Maintains awareness of VA's, VHA's, and PSAS's requirements regarding the Joint Commission standards of care implementation. Oversees the staff completion of contracting requirements, procurement, and inventory management assignments independently to prepare and authorize purchase orders for a wide variety of prosthetic and orthotic devices. Responds to a variety of policy and correspondence inquires related to contractors, congressional inquiries, Veteran concerns, specialty benefit program issues. VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM (Note: Work schedules are determined and approved by the supervisor). Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
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: All applicants must meet the following basic qualifications. United States Citizenship: Must be a US Citizen English Language Proficiency: In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7403(f), no person shall serve in direct patient care positions unless they are proficient in basic written and spoken English. Experience and Education. Must meet at least one of the requirements below. (1) Experience. One year of creditable experience that demonstrates: Knowledge of basic anatomy and medical terminology; knowledge of accounting methods; ability to research, analyze, comprehend, and apply decisions; basic knowledge of inventory management procedures; ability to use computer software packages for word processing, spreadsheet development, and database management; and ability to work independently and as a member of a team; - OR - (2) Education. A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution AND at least 24 semester hours in course work related to health care, public administration, or business. The 24 semester hours could include but is not limited to any combination from the following fields: occupational therapy, physical therapy, kinesiotherapy, social work, psychology, prosthetics, orthotics, respiratory therapy, assistive technology, business law, leadership, healthcare, public administration, or business management. This course work may have been completed within the degree or in addition to the degree; - OR - (3) Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: GS-12 Prosthetic Representative (Assistant Chief): Experience. At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. In addition to the experience above, the incumbent must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, including responsibility for assignment of work to be performed; assessment of competencies; evaluation of performance; selection of staff; and recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. Ability to analyze data and make recommendations to optimize quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity within the service. Ability to manage a health care program that provides home medical equipment, rehabilitation services, home oxygen, visual or hearing impairment devices, assistive technology, orthotics, or prosthetics. Knowledge of compliance and regulatory accrediting organizations. Ability to manage, interpret, and present fiscal data (i.e. fund controls, contracts and equipment expenditures), forecast resource and equipment needs, and administer an allocated budget. 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). Preferred Experience and Certifications: These preferences are highly desired but are not required: Leadership and Supervisory Skills: Team Leadership: Experience supervising or mentoring prosthetic assistants, aides, or technicians, ensuring adherence to protocols and quality standards. Operational Oversight: Ability to manage overflows, coordinate with other healthcare professionals, and maintain compliance with professional codes of conduct. Quality Assurance: Experience implementing and monitoring quality control measures in O&P services Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Pre-placement and periodic physical examinations are required for hybrid occupations to ensure workers are placed in positions where they can perform the essential functions of their job including their physical, mental and emotional capacities, without endangering their health or the health of their co-workers. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
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