Blind Rehabilitation Specialist

About the role

This position is located at the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System (TVHS) in Nashville - TN. The incumbent will provide discipline specific instruction to visually impaired Veterans as they are assigned to the Advanced Low Vision Clinic.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate Veterans by interviews - tests - and measurements
• Develop and implement blind and vision rehabilitation programs for each individual Veteran
• Make recommendations for therapeutic interventions
• Serves as a consultant to blind/low vision rehabilitation and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating Veterans
• Serves as a mentor to other therapist who are evaluating and treating Veterans
• Provide in-service and clinical training programs in the content specialty or program area

Requirements

• Basic Requirements: US Citizenship, English Language Proficiency, Education, Certification
• Experience: One year of progressively complex experience or three years of progressively higher level graduate education
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities: Knowledge of policies and procedures, administration and interpretation of assessments and evaluations, development of rehabilitation plans, instruction, recommendation of prosthetic devices, serving as a team coordinator

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in blind or vision rehabilitation or closely related fields, or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Certification: Active - current - full and unrestricted certification from ACVREP or equivalent credential

Skills

• Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures
• Ability to properly assess Veterans with diverse and multiple disabilities
• Ability to write a comprehensive rehabilitation plan with observable - measurable goals and specific outcomes
• Ability to employ interventions and unusual motivational techniques
• Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices

Benefits

N/A

Pay

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11

Schedule

Monday-Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm

Physical Requirements

• Work may require - moderate lifting (15-44 pounds) - light lifting (under 15 lbs.) - light carrying - reaching above shoulders - use of fingers - both hands required - standing ( 4 hours) - both legs required - ability to distinguish basic colors - ability to distinguish shades of colors - hearing aid permitted - hand hygiene
• Environmental factors are working alone - dust - and working closely with others

Environmental Factors

• Exposure to blood borne pathogens - body fluid - and other potentially infectious materials

Reference

For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards

Preferred Experience

• Highly preferred: Certified Low Vision Therapist
• Preferable: Experience in a VA low vision clinic
• Preferable: Experience working with low vision patients