Orthotist-Prosthetist (Advanced Practitioner)

Summary

The Orthotist-Prosthetist (Advanced Practitioner) functions in Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service within the St. Louis VA Medical Center. The general responsibility of the Non-Supervisory Orthotist-Prosthetist is to provide the most complex clinical and laboratory prosthetic and orthotic services to disabled patients.

Duties

• *****This is an Open Continuous Announcement and will remain open until 12/18/2026. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be 7/27/2026. Eligible applications received will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. ***** VA Careers - Prosthetics: https://youtube.com/embed/3NUvF5jjErQ This work requires a specialized knowledge of the medical and psychological problems directly related to the use of prosthetic devices; and a specialized knowledge and understanding of the fabrication and satisfactory fitting of prosthetic devices. An Orthotist Prosthetist at this level must have analytical ability, social awareness, tact and diplomacy, and good communication skills. The Orthotist Prosthetist must be able to anticipate the need for action. They must also possess the ability to deal effectively with individuals and groups and to adjust to difficult or stressful situations. Major Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: Treatment of all amputation levels including upper limb, hip disarticulation levels Advise physicians, therapists and other medical professionals with regard to indications and contraindications of prosthetic and orthotic componentry, prescription criteria Authorize the purchase, fabrication or repair of prosthetic devices Maintain continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic supplies Inspect the facilities and services Participate in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts Participate in investigative/research project studies Give technical and administrative advice and assistance on prosthetic problems to other facilities Follow established regulations and procedures to insure patient privacy Conduct gait analysis, range of motion, coordination and balance, motor skills, and clinical assessment studies in accordance with occupational principles for unusual conditions, multiple complex interrelated conditions Interview patients to determine expectations, lifestyle, home/work environment, ability to use the device Fabricate components, or selects and modifies components, and assembles these into the finished device Use CAD/CAM system as appropriate in this process and performs preliminary alignment Fit devices on patients Assess and/or modify fit and function of devices Maintain professional credentials and/or competency Follow environmental and occupational safety guidelines Provide guidance and direction to lower graded O/P staff Conduct quality assurance activities Work Schedule: Monday - Friday | 8:00 am - 4:30 pm CST Telework: Available (Ad-Hoc) Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 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. 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.

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/.