Prosthetic Representative (Assistant Chief)

The Prosthetic Representative (Assistant Chief) GS-12 co-manages and supervises comprehensive operations within a Prosthetic & Sensory Aids Service (PSAS). This role involves significant leadership, program management, and fiscal oversight to ensure efficient service delivery and compliance with all regulations.

• *Key Responsibilities:**
• Share full responsibility for managing and supervising all prosthetic operations, acting as Chief in their absence.
• Develop and maintain internal review systems to ensure program compliance with regulatory and accrediting organizations.
• Oversee resource utilization, budgetary allocation, and comprehensive fiscal management for the service.
• Manage subordinate staff, including selection, assignment, direction, training, performance evaluation, and disciplinary actions.
• Develop and implement local organizational policies and procedures.
• Serve as a primary liaison between Prosthetic Service and other departments.
• Analyze program data to make recommendations for optimizing quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity.
• Administer various healthcare programs, including those related to home medical equipment, rehabilitation services, home oxygen, visual/hearing impairment devices, assistive technology, orthotics, and prosthetics.
• Manage, interpret, and present fiscal data (e.g., fund controls, contracts, equipment expenditures), forecast resource needs, and administer the allocated budget.
• Develop and monitor quality improvement metrics to ensure program functions according to established guidelines.
• *Requirements:**
• *Experience (GS-12 Specific):**
• Minimum of one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. This experience includes:

* Oversight and coordination of procurement, clinical services, customer service, and inventory management for various medical and rehabilitative equipment. * Assistance with managing contract programs such as home oxygen, durable medical equipment, and eyeglasses. * Administration of benefit programs like home/structural alterations, automobile adaptive equipment, and clothing allowance. * Working directly with Veterans and clinical teams to assist with applications and address benefit program questions. * Providing technical assistance and guidance to treatment teams on complex patient medical and rehabilitative needs. * Developing and monitoring quality improvement metrics for prosthetic programs. * Possessing a full working knowledge of national, VISN, and facility contracts applicable to PSAS.

• *Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (GS-12 Specific):**
• Proven ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, including staff assignment, competency assessment, performance evaluation, selection, and recommendation of awards/disciplinary actions.
• Strong analytical skills to assess data and make recommendations for optimizing service quality, efficiency, performance, and productivity.
• Expertise in managing a health care program involving home medical equipment, rehabilitation services, home oxygen, visual/hearing impairment devices, assistive technology, orthotics, or prosthetics.
• Comprehensive knowledge of compliance and regulatory accrediting organizations.
• Proficiency in managing, interpreting, and presenting fiscal data, forecasting resource/equipment needs, and administering allocated budgets.
• *Basic Entry Requirements (One of the following):**
• **Experience:** One year of creditable experience demonstrating:

* Knowledge of basic anatomy and medical terminology, accounting methods, and inventory management procedures. * Ability to research, analyze, comprehend, and apply decisions. * Proficiency in computer software for word processing, spreadsheet development, and database management. * Ability to work both independently and as a team member.

• **Education:** A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and at least 24 semester hours in coursework related to health care, public administration, or business. This may include fields such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work, psychology, prosthetics, orthotics, assistive technology, business law, leadership, and management.
• **Combination:** Equivalent combinations of experience and education are also qualifying.
• *Physical Requirements:**
• Ability to perform heavy lifting and carrying (up to 20 lbs), straight pulling, pushing, and reaching above shoulders.
• Requires use of fingers and both hands.
• Mobility includes walking, standing, and repeated bending for extended periods.
• Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously.
• Near vision correctable at 13" to 16" and functional hearing (aid permitted).