Prosthetic Representative (Assistant Chief)

Summary

The incumbent serves as a prosthetic representative service assistant chief for the prosthetic and sensory aids services. The incumbent supervises staff and performs both supervisory and non-supervisory programmatic assignments concerned with rendering prosthetics and sensory aids services to veterans throughout the VHA.

Duties

This Prosthetic Representative (Assistant Chief) position is located within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), South Texas Veterans Healthcare System, Prosthetic and Sensory Aides Service (PSAS). The PSAS provides comprehensive support to optimize health and independence of the Veteran services are provided within various settings, including the Veteran Integrated Service Network (VISN), Inpatient Clinics, Outpatient Clinics, and domiciliaries throughout the United States. The incumbent serves as a Prosthetic Representative (Assistant Chief); sharing full responsibility with the Chief for supervising all phases of prosthetic operations. The incumbent serves 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 throughout the VHA. Duties 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, 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. Serves as Chief of the service in the Chief's absence Works closely with human resources and senior management to counsel employees Serves as liaison between Prosthetic Service and other departments Serves as an advisor to clinicians regarding the selection, prescription, and acquisition of prosthetic devices Interprets prescriptions of clinicians to make certain that proper prosthetic devices are selected Maintains continuous liaison with manufacturers and dealers of prosthetic supplies, etc. Work Schedule: TBD (Typically M-F, 0800-1630 - but may change, based on the needs of the Organization). Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 55445-F 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. May be required to pass pre-employment physical examination, based on the needs of the organization. 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

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement, 11/23/2026 Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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 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 Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of experience and education are qualifying. Grandfathering Provision. 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). 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. 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. Grade Determinations. Experience - At least one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate 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 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. PREFERRED EXPERIENCE: Supervisory Leadership one year (or more) of experience serving as a Supervisory Prosthetic Representative, demonstrating responsibility for personnel management, workload distribution, employee performance evaluations, staff development, and oversight of daily Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service (PSAS) operations Specialized Prosthetic Program Management one year (or more) of supervisory experience overseeing full-performance-level Prosthetic Representatives responsible for administering specialized programs, including Automobile Adaptive Equipment (AAE), Home Improvements and Structural Alterations (HISA), Service Dog benefits, Home Oxygen, and Clothing Allowance. Experience must demonstrate knowledge of applicable VA policies, regulatory compliance, program administration, and timely delivery of Veteran benefits Purchasing and Acquisition Supervision one year (or more) of experience supervising Purchasing Agents responsible for prosthetic purchasing and acquisition activities, including purchase card transactions, procurement documentation, vendor coordination, fiscal accountability, and compliance with applicable VA acquisition policies and procedures Budget and Resource Management managing or overseeing PSAS budgets, monitoring expenditures, analyzing resource utilization, identifying cost-saving opportunities, and ensuring appropriate stewardship of government funds while maintaining timely access to prosthetic services and benefits for Veterans Operational Leadership and Performance Improvement developing, implementing, and evaluating operational processes to improve PSAS efficiency, reduce workload backlogs, monitor performance metrics, strengthen internal controls, and ensure compliance with VA policies, directives, and established performance standards Strategic Leadership and Interdisciplinary Collaboration collaborating with executive leadership, clinical service chiefs, contracting, fiscal, and other interdisciplinary stakeholders to resolve complex prosthetic service issues, implement organizational initiatives, support strategic planning, and improve the delivery of prosthetic services to Veterans This vacancy is for an above full performance grade-level (GS-12) position. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is at the same GS-12 grade-level. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds.

Education

Notes: 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/. If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. How You Will Be Evaluated

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. 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. Other Information

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 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.