Career Center

The primary purpose of this position is to provide blind and vision rehabilitation services for visually impaired Veterans and Service members. The incumbent identifies, assesses, trains, manages, and provides follow-up for Veterans using clinical resources of the facility. Incumbent is a member of the Blind Rehabilitation Service, the interdisciplinary Visual Impairment Services Team, and interacts with Rehabilitation Medicine, Audiology, Social Work, Prosthetics and Sensory Aids services 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: Blind Rehab Specialists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G41. Certification: Applicants must possess at least one active, current, full, and unrestricted certification to be eligible for appointment. Certification must be granted by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP), or another equivalent, closely related professional credential in special education or rehabilitation. Blind Rehab Specialists who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows: Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®). Education: You must have earned a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, closely related program in rehabilitation, special education for the visually impaired, family and consumer science education, or technology and industrial arts education. OR A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (without a major field of study as outlined above that included, or was supplemented by, at least one of the following: At least 30 semester hours of directly related, upper-level undergraduate courses (e.g., at least 200-course level or higher, or as identified by the college or university). One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15 -18 semester hours). A certificate from an accredited college or university in the core curriculum in orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, assistive technology for blind and visually impaired individuals, or low vision therapy and a directly related practicum/internship in the occupation, either included in the degree or post-degree. Foreign Graduates must have proof of a minimum of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent, as verified through an independent credential evaluation company), with a specialization in blind rehabilitation. Grade Determinations: GS-11 (Entry level) (1) Experience. [None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Certification. Candidates must meet the certification requirements in subparagraph 2c above (at least one certification from ACVREP). (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all [of] the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation. (b) Ability to properly assess a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions. (c) [Skill in development and writing of a]blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes. (d) Knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles. (e) Ability to employ interventions, unusual motivational techniques, and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan. (f) Skill in recommending appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for patients within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required. (g) Ability to plan, direct, and distribute work assignments to volunteers, assistants, interns, and/or BRSs at lower grade levels and perform assigned mentoring duties for staff, students, and interns. NOTE: Upon hire, GS-11 grade employees are required to obtain a 2nd certification from ACVREP within 2 years of the initial appointment date to demonstrate journey mastery in two specialty areas and to become a GS-12.. Failure to do so will result in removal from the occupation and may result in termination of employment GS-12 Requirements: Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade. Certification. Candidates must meet the certification requirements in subparagraph 3c above. BROS at the GS-12 grade level must achieve two ACVREP certifications to demonstrate full mastery in two areas of blind rehabilitation. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the KSAs at the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate all [of] the following KSAs: (a) Skill to independently develop, plan, and administer complex treatment programs. (b) Ability to act as a subject matter expert in the blind/vision rehabilitation field[,] and as consultant, supervisor[,] and/or mentor in evaluating and treating patients in specialty or program areas. (c) Ability to coordinate, motivate, and effectively manage staff and/or committee members to include organizing work, setting priorities, and delegating tasks and responsibilities. (d) Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as a consultant or mentor. (e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders. (f) Ability to identify team group dynamics, objectively observe, and modify behaviors. (g) Ability to apply decision-making principles to adjust programs on a day-to-day basis, to develop short[-]term and long[-]range goals, and to plan for future utilization of resources. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G42 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 toGS-12. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring exertion such as standing or walking for a short period of time; frequent bending; reaching above the shoulder; stooping to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; moderate lifting and carrying (up to 40 pounds), pushing, or pulling objects. The work requires the ability to read typewritten material and cope with a variety of complex situations due to the diversity of patients, duties and responsibilities. ["Major duties include: The Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist provides direct patient care and support services to an adult population of patients which is characterized by a very significant number of older male patients as well as young OEF/OIF Veterans who may have wound and trauma related vision loss. The incumbent, in concert with Blind Rehabilitation Center, Polytrauma team, all VIST and other facility resources, is responsible for identifying beneficiaries who have the potential to benefit from blind and vision rehabilitation training. Incumbent consults with Polytrauma team and all VIST, eye clinics, blind and vision rehabilitation services and community resources to locate and serve potential Veterans to offer direct blind and vision rehabilitation service in all five skill areas in the veteran's home, other residence or within the community as the need arises. The incumbent is responsible for blind and vision rehabilitation assessment, planning, training, and outcomes evaluation on each Veteran for whom service is provided. Incumbent uses objective and subjective assessment tools and methods requiring broadly based advanced knowledge in the five skill areas. Consults with local, regional, and national resources for information. Incumbent selects, interprets and adapts traditional strategies in order to meet Veteran needs. The incumbent develops an individualized rehabilitation-training plan for each Veteran with rehabilitation potential. Each plan includes Veteran and/or family goals, as well as achievable and measurable outcomes. Prioritizes rehabilitation training activities so as to maximize Veterans served, consistent with quality care and safety The incumbent makes use of a wide variety complex training aids and devices. Incumbent also uses complex assessment tools and trains Veterans on sophisticated prosthetics and sensory aids to accomplish the work, i.e., sophisticated computer interfaces for use with e-mail and Global positioning systems. The incumbent works closely with local VIST, Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service and the regional Blind Rehabilitation Center to identify, recommend and obtain equipment for Veterans during their rehabilitation and provides full training. Provides effective patient counseling in the adjustment to blindness as an integral component of the work Incumbent may administer a blind and vision rehabilitation-training program for the operation of a Poly Trauma unit, creating necessary local policies, projecting and administering budgets, documenting workload, writing reports, outcomes, scheduling of patients, etc. The incumbent is expected to provide blind and vision rehabilitation services as a team member but also as an independent clinician as he/she carries out treatments. Duty Station: This position is located at the Jefferson Barracks Division but may be changed to any other VASTLHCS station at any time based on the needs of the medical center\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #:\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized"]