Summary

This position is to provide blind and vision rehabilitation services for Veterans and Service members who are visually impaired. Blind Rehabilitation includes the disciplines of low vision therapy - orientation and mobility - vision rehabilitation therapy - manual skills instruction and computer access instruction. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist possesses professional knowledge and skill in applying concepts - principles - and practices of blind and vision rehabilitation.

Qualifications

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
• Education - The individual 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 in (1)(a) 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
• Certification - Required at the GS-11 grade level and above - Applicants at the GS-11 level and above 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
• NOTE: The ACVREP administers four certification programs: Low Vision Therapy - Orientation and Mobility - Assistive Technology Instruction and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
• They may then use the designation for the certification they hold
• BRS who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows: Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS®)
• Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®)
• Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®)
• Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS®)
• 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)
• Grade Determinations Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (BRS) - GS-9 (Entry Level) Experience - Bachelor's degree and completion of one year of experience
• -OR- Education - Completion of at least two full years of progressive graduate education or a master's degree in a field directly related to the position
• Certification - No certification is required at this level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) - In addition to the education and experience above the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of policies and procedures of the blind/vision rehabilitation service
• (b) Knowledge of administration and interpretation of assessments and evaluations in blind/vision rehabilitation
• (c) Ability to develop a basic written blind/vision rehabilitation plan from assessment results and develop more complex plans with consultation from supervisor
• (d) Skill in instructing [Veterans] and families in a meaningful rehabilitation program and applying blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic techniques
• (e) Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision prosthetic devices for Veterans within the scope of practice
• (f) Ability to serve as team coordinator for assigned Veterans during their rehabilitation programs
• Assignment - Individuals at this grade level serve as [entry level] staff BRSs
• They are responsible for intake - assessment - planning for rehabilitation - intervention - and follow-up in the content specialties
• They receive guidance from experienced staff members for the most complex Veteran cases
• Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (BRS) - GS-11 (Full Performance Level) Experience - In addition to meeting the basic requirements - completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade
• -OR- Education -
• Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Doctoral Degree
• or Doctoral Degree in Blind Rehabilitation or a directly related field
• Certification - Certification is required at this grade level and above
• BRSs at the GS-11 grade level must have at least one certification from ACVREP or a related - equivalent - professional certification
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) - In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-9 grade level - the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation
• Ability to properly assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions
• Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable - measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes
• Skill in instructional methods and learning principles
• Ability to employ interventions and unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan
• Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for Veterans within scope of practice - making adaptations and modifications as required
• Assignment - This is the full performance level for BRSs who are not VIST Coordinators
• Assignments at this grade level include the following: Staff BRS
• In addition to providing services to Veterans described at the GS-9 grade level - individuals at this level have duties that typically include the following: serving as a consultant to blind/low vision rehabilitation and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating Veterans in the specialty area
• serving as a mentor to other therapists who are evaluating and treating Veterans in the content specialty or program area
• serving as internship supervisor to students who are completing their supervised practice
• and providing in-service and clinical training programs in the content specialty or program area
• BRS (Sole Practice)
• Individuals in this assignment may serve as the only BRS at a medical center or an outpatient clinic and are responsible for independent decision- making and independent care
• Individuals in this assignment serve as a member of or as consultant to a specialty care team - [and provide in-service and clinical training programs in the content specialty or program area
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/OHRM/QualificationStandards/HT38/0601-BlindRehabilitationSpecialist.pdf
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is within the range of GS-09 to GS-11.

Duties

• Duties Include: Provide direct patient care and support services to an adult population of patients which is characterized by a very significant number of older male patients
• Evaluating and assessing needs - capabilities and limitations - goal setting and prescribing a treatment plan for individuals experiencing blindness/visual impairment caused by injury or disease
• Responsible for ensuring that practice credentials and certifications for respective disciplines and skill areas are current
• Enabling Veterans with visual impairment to gain a better understanding of their visual diagnoses and resulting problems
• Assessing functional capabilities in the use of visual motor and visual perceptual skills - in areas such as reading - writing - self-care - safe independent travel and comprehensively and accurately assessing and identifying the blind rehabilitation needs and goals of Veterans while taking into consideration all other factors affecting the Veteran with visual impairment
• Developing and modifying - as needed - an individualized rehabilitation treatment plan
• Instructing in rehabilitation techniques and assistive technology to support Veterans in reaching their rehabilitation goals
• instructing Veterans in effective use of their remaining vision through techniques that improve visual perceptual and visual motor function for daily tasks
• providing information and education about visual impairment for family members and significant others - where needed - to support Veterans with visual impairment in incorporating practice of training techniques and use of assistive technology in the home and their surrounding environments
• Maintaining effective communication and team cohesion within the BRS CoC to maximize Veterans' blind rehabilitation outcomes
• Understanding the importance of recording and maintaining clear - accurate and concise documents that pertain to Veteran's profiles
• Studies visual and non-visual barriers and related processes that result in activity limitations - participation restrictions - loss of vocational and avocational opportunities - and psychological distress
• Demonstrates flexibility/adaptability to adjust to change and/or workload in a pleasant manner - handles differences of opinion in a business like fashion - follows instructions conscientiously - assists and functions as a team worker
• Responsible for using and maintaining technology (discipline specific) necessary to assist in the Veteran's rehabilitation needs and processes
• Works with family members and/or significant others to educate and counsel about the ramifications of visual impairment
• Attends and participates in educational experiences pertinent to meeting the age-related special needs and behaviors of assigned patient - and to keep abreast of current developments in their field
• Maintains awareness of new technological developments in the field through research and education
• The incumbent serves as a subject matter expert for other medical and allied health staff by providing counseling to healthcare providers and professionals on the nature of visual impairment and blind and vision rehabilitation
• Preferred Experience: Candidates are preferred to possess a current/unrestricted ACVREP Certificate as REQUIRED at the GS-11 level
• Work Schedule: Monday-Friday - 7:30am to 4pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 40696F/40316F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized