Supervisory Othotist​/Prosthetist Advanced Practitioner

Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP)

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) & eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application.

Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

The general responsibilities of the Supervisory Orthotist-Prosthetist are to administer, supervise, and/or perform work concerned with providing clinical and laboratory prosthetic/orthotic services to disabled patients at designated facilities in VISN 2 and their associated Community Based Outpatient Centers (CBOC) under the supervision of the VISN 2 Clinical Coordinator and facility Chief of P&SAS. Included in this series is such work as:

• Planning, developing, and directing an Orthotic-Prosthetic Laboratory and related Clinical Activities at the national, VISN or local level;
• Treatment of all amputation levels including upper limb and hip disarticulation levels.
• Serving as an advisor to physicians, therapists and other medical professionals with regard to indications and contraindications of prosthetic and orthotic componentry, prescription criteria.
• Authorizing the purchase, fabrication or repair of prosthetic devices.
• Maintaining continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic supplies, inspecting their facilities and services and participating in the award of prosthetic appliance contracts.
• Participating in investigative/research project studies by selecting patients as pilot wearers of newly developed prosthetic items, evaluating the usefulness of such items and compiling of data.
• Giving technical and administrative advice and assistance on prosthetic problems to other facilities.

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.

The administrative aspects of the work require an understanding of contracting, human resources, the National Prosthetic Patient Database, inventory management and knowledge of the Prosthetic national software package.

This position/the incumbent must have analytical ability, social awareness, tact and diplomacy, and good communication skills. The Orthotist/Prosthetist at this level must be able to anticipate the need for action. He/she must also possess the ability to deal effectively with individuals and groups and to adjust to difficult or stressful situations.

This position/the incumbent may serve as the (NCOPE) Residency Director for the site, or otherwise may be required to directly contribute to the education of Prosthetic-Orthotic Residents.

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