Prosthetic Representative Technical Career Field (TCF) Trainee
Job Location:
Baltimore, MD - USA
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
This is a Technical Career Field (TCF) trainee position that aims to train an incumbent to a Prosthetic Representative within the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS). The incumbent trainee will serve under the preceptorship of a Supervisory Prosthetic Representative (Chief or designee) for the purpose of orientation learning and experiencing specialized functions specific to the management of Prosthetics Service Line and related specialized programs.
The Technical Career Field (TCF) is a national workforce development program within VHA that was designed to replenish technical staff in critically identified positions. The TCF career fields represent those technical fields where VA-specific knowledge and experience is required for success in the field. Individuals selected follow a formal individual development plan for one-two years during which they are trained and coached by a preceptor who is a subject matter expert within the career field/job specialty. Trainees must remain at the hiring grade level for a minimum of one year. *Selectees will be required to sign Mobility Training and Continued Service Agreements.
The Prosthetics Representative Technical Career Field (TCF) may be hired at the GS-7 level with the target grade of GS-11. When you begin your training youll work at the VA in a GS-07 position though over the course of your 2-year development you may acquire the skills and training necessary to qualify for a GS-09 or GS-11 positions.
DUTIES:
Prosthetic Representative GS-5 to GS-9-Trainee:
The duties of the Non-Supervisory Prosthetic Representative Trainee are to administer supervise or perform work concerned with rendering prosthetic and sensory aids services to Veteran-patients. Incumbent trainee will develop intermediate working knowledge and skills in the following technical and administrative areas through orientation visits instructional objectives assigned study and will be involved in a learning/development role in the following areas:
- Develop local organizational policies and procedures consistent with national policies and procedures
- Authorize and prepare purchase orders
- Develop Statement of Work and/or Performance Work Statement for service contracts
- Monitor contracts to ensure compliance adherence to statement of work
- Receive analyze and process requests for prosthetic equipment and services
- Validate data
- Establish long and short-term program goals
- Respond to a variety of correspondence 9. Participate in local facility committees workgroups teams 10. Assess and provide technical guidance concerning equipment and benefits to eligible beneficiaries
- Adjust workload and develop performance measures
- Implement new local and national guidelines policies and procedures
- Develop tools that allow monitoring of a quality assurance program
- Analyze review and evaluate the results of various monitors and databases
- Confers with contractors and other health care workers
- Inform veterans and family on different appliances and services available
- Plan develop and prepare budget estimates
- Develop cost containment measures
- Coordinate specialty programs which include Clothing Allowance Home O2 AAE HISA
- Determine eligibility
- Conduct home and vendor visits
- Develop a partnering relationship with the Union and Veterans Service Organizations
Serves as a Prosthetic Representative completing a variety of prosthetic and sensory aids assignments projects activities independently to meet PSASs long-and-short term program goals. Performs technical administrative and analytical prosthetic related assignments for the PSAS.
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm
Telework: ADHOC ONLY
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
VA Careers - Prosthetics: 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 ( Effective May 7 2025 drivers licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- 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.
- 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.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
- Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. After a determination is made that it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens necessary personnel may be appointed on a temporary basis under authority of 38 U.S.C. 7405.
- Experience and Education. Individual must meet at least one of the requirements below.
- 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
- Education. A bachelors 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
- Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying.
- English Language Proficiency. Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74 to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who are not proficient in written and spoken English.
Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements for employment the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates:
GS-7 Prosthetic Representative (Developmental Level)
- Experience. In addition to the basic requirements one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-5 grade level directly related to the position to be filled.
- Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
- Ability to understand and apply processes procedures regulations and laws as it applies to purchasing and the provision of prosthetic items/services.
- Ability to coordinate multiple requests for durable medical equipment (DME) including repairs services and benefits.
- Ability to act as a liaison with and work effectively with health care providers patients caregivers and vendors to ensure that the most appropriate device and services are received timely.
- Ability to monitor contractors and vendors for compliance with contract requirements.
GS-9 Prosthetic Representative (Developmental level)
- Experience. In addition to the basic requirements one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-7 grade level that is directly related to the position to be filled. OR
- Education. Education equivalent to two full years of progressively higher level graduate education or Masters or equivalent graduate 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 may 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.
- Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
- Knowledge of methods to identify trends and causation factors sufficient to analyze prepared data and gather information to inform and advise management.
- Ability to organize prioritize and monitor actions to ensure timeliness.
- Ability to understand and articulate the benefits program options available. This includes communicating with patients caregivers health care providers and vendors.
- Ability to apply and educate others about national VISN and facility directives policies procedures and regulations.
- Ability to work effectively with a clinical team and provide recommendations for prosthetic devices.
GS-11 Prosthetic Representative (Full Performance Level)
- Experience. In addition to the basic requirements one year of creditable experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level that is directly related to the position to be filled.
- Demonstrated Knowledge Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
- Ability to work independently to set priorities; delegate tasks; meet multiple deadlines; analyze organizational problems; and develop and implement effective solutions to optimize quality efficiency performance and productivity.
- Ability to work with a team to provide technical guidance plan organize and coordinate activities to effectively complete job duties of assignment such as distributing workload; and monitoring the accuracy status and progress of work.
- Ability to communicate tactfully and effectively both orally and in writing to meet program objectives. This may include preparing reports in various formats and presenting data to various organizational levels.
- Ability to assist in staff development outcome management and strategic planning.
- Ability to act as liaison between staff to resolve informal employee complaints and concerns.
- Knowledge of rehabilitative treatment goals and strategies that are unique to patients in specialized programs and knowledge of those specific program requirements.
Preferred Experience- See Education Section
Reference: For more information on this qualification standard please visit full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-5 to GS-11.
Grandfathering Provision. All persons employed in VHA as a Prosthetic Representative on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title series and grade held that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it the following provisions apply:
- Employees grandfathered into the GS-0672 occupational series as prosthetic representatives may be reassigned promoted up to and including the full performance (journeyman) level or changed to lower grade within the occupation but may not be promoted beyond the journeyman level or placed in supervisory or managerial positions.
- Prosthetic Representatives who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed on a temporary or permanent basis until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard.
- Employees who are retained as a Prosthetic Representative under this provision and subsequently leave the occupation lose protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry as a prosthetic representative.
Foreign Education. To be creditable education completed outside the United States must have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in the interpretation of foreign educational credentials and such education must have been deemed at least equivalent to experience gained in conventional United States programs.
Preferred Experience:
1. Develop local organizational policies and procedures consistent with national policies.
2. Authorize and prepare purchase orders.
3. Develop Statement of Work and/or Performance Work Statement for service contracts.
4. Monitor contracts to ensure compliance adherence to statement of work.
5. Receive analyze and process requests for prosthetic equipment and services.
6. Validate data.
7. Establish long and short term program goals.
8. Respond to variety of correspondence.
9. Participate in local facility committees workgroups teams.
10. Assess and provide technical guidance concerning equipment land benefits to eligible beneficiaries.
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: 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: 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.
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 applicants 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.
Whole Health is an approach to health care that empowers and equips people to take charge of their health and well-being and live their life to the fullest. The VA is committed to Whole Health and values Veteran and Employee health and wellbeing. As a VA employee you will practice Whole Health in an environment that supports personalized and proactive care.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Experience:
Intern
