Summary

The purpose of this position is to provide blind and vision rehabilitation services for visually impaired Veterans and service members. Blind Rehabilitation includes the disciplines of low vision therapy - orientation and mobility - vision rehabilitation therapy - manual skills instruction and assisted technology instruction. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist possesses professional knowledge of and skill in applying concepts - principles - and practices of blind and vision rehabilitation.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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
• 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 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
• BRS VIST Coordinators may be drawn from traditional blind/vision rehabilitation backgrounds - and from counseling backgrounds such as social work - vocational rehabilitation counseling - etc
• VIST Coordinators must be credentialed/certified through: Any certification via the ACVREP - OR - Individuals appointed based on experience as a Social Worker must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level
• A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work
• If appointed as a VIST Coordinator - Social Workers are appointed to the GS-0601 series - but must still maintain a full - valid - and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment - OR - Certification via the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor - (CRC) - OR - Individuals appointed based on experience in other health care occupations must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice in their field
• If appointed as a VIST Coordinator - such individuals are appointed to the GS-0601 series - but must still maintain their full - valid - and unrestricted independent license or certification in their occupation to remain qualified for employment
• Examples of occupations may include but [are not limited to Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Mental Health Counselor
• Grandfathering Provision
• All BRSs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and certification(s) that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Such employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification(s) that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required equivalent credential(s) as a condition of employment in the occupation
• If a BRS who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation - the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service GS-12 (VIST Coordinator-Full Performance Level) Experience
• In addition to meeting the basic requirements - completion of a minimum of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to GS-11 grade level
• Certification
• VIST Coordinators must meet the certification requirements in paragraph above
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-11 grade level - the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Skill to effectively communicate both orally and in writing with staff at all organizational levels - with Veterans and their family members - with community groups - and individuals with varying degrees of understanding
• Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for therapeutic interventions
• Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines and contains observable - measurable goals that identify specific outcomes
• Knowledge of VA and non-VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs
• Skill in interpersonal relationships dealing with patients - employees - other team leaders - managers - and other stakeholders
• Knowledge of psychological - rehabilitation - and counseling theories and principles
• Ability to coordinate with various resources to identify and refer Veterans to suitable training programs
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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-12
• Preferred Experience: 2 years experience Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service

Duties

• Major duties include but not limited to: Provides direct patient care and support services to an adult population of patients
• Tailors' patient care and support services to meet the needs of the individual patient
• Responsibility for assessment of each patient's needs and the delivery of services which are responsive to the concerns of individual patients to the extent possible
• Evaluates and assess needs - capabilities and limitations - goal settings and prescribing a treatment plan for individuals experiencing blindness/visual impairment caused by injury or disease
• Works as part of a team coordinating care for blind and visually impaired veterans
• Serves as Team Coordinator for one or more assigned veterans during the veteran's program
• Develops and coordinates the veteran's Interdisciplinary Plan of Care (IPOC) with input from the Veteran and all team members
• 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
• Use diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and instrumentation to identify and resolve or minimize these problems
• Develops a treatment plan in conjunction with an interdisciplinary team to improve the quality of life for blind and visually impaired Veterans through the development of skills and capabilities needed for personal independence - emotional stability and the successful integration into community - family and environment
• Use and maintain technology (discipline specific) necessary to assist in the veteran's rehabilitation needs and processes such as electronic travel aids - computer assisted technology - speech output and input devices - large print devices and Braille devices
• Determines the need for these devices based on type - nature and severity of the problem - and assessments - and instructs the Veteran in the proper use of the device along with its abilities and limitations
• Optical devices - prescribed by an eye care specialist - are incorporated into the Blind Rehabilitation Specialist's treatment plan
• Works with family members and/or significant others to educate and counsel about the ramifications of visual impairment
• Family members are taught to recognize changed behaviors and behavior patterns that impede blind and vision rehabilitation progress and how to cope with the psychological and social problems and their own individual stress
• Maintains awareness of new technological developments in the field through research and education
• Serves as a subject matter expert for other medical and allied health staff by providing education and training to healthcare providers and professionals on the nature of visual impairment and blind and vision rehabilitation
• Serves as a mentor for clinical trainees within the specific disciplines
• Expected to obtain and maintain certification in the appropriate discipline of blind/vision rehabilitation Performs other related duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #:09821F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized