Blind Rehabilitation Specialist

About the role

The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (BRS) provides a full range of blind rehabilitation therapies to Veterans and service members within the Southwestern Blind Rehabilitation Center (SWBRC) at the Southern Arizona VA Health Care System (SAVAHCS) in Tucson, AZ. Service may occasionally be provided via Telehealth. The position is for Blind Rehab Specialist Technology Instructors to join the Technology Team.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship required; non‑citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited per VA policy.
• English language proficiency (written and spoken) required for direct patient‑care roles under 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74.
• Education – one of the following:
  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university with a major in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program such as rehabilitation, special education for the visually impaired, family and consumer science education, or technology and industrial arts education.
  • A bachelor’s degree (without the major above) that includes or is supplemented by at least one of:
    • ≥30 semester hours of directly related upper‑level undergraduate coursework (≥200‑level or as identified by the institution);
    • One full year of directly related graduate‑level coursework (typically 15‑18 semester hours);
    • A certificate from an accredited college/university in the core curriculum of orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, assistive technology for blind/visually impaired individuals, or low vision therapy, plus a directly related practicum/internship (either within the degree or post‑degree).
• Foreign graduates must provide proof of a minimum bachelor’s degree (or foreign equivalent) from an accredited institution, verified by an independent credential evaluation company, with a specialization in blind rehabilitation.
• May qualify under the Grandfathering Provision per the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (applicable only to current VHA employees already in this occupation who meet the criteria).
• Grade Determination – GS‑09:
  • Experience: Bachelor’s degree plus 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;
  • Demonstrated KSAs (in addition to education/experience):
    • Knowledge of policies and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation service;
    • Knowledge of administration and interpretation of assessments/evaluations in blind/vision rehabilitation;
    • Ability to develop a basic written blind/vision rehabilitation plan from assessment results and more complex plans with supervisor consultation;
    • Skill in instructing Veterans and families in a meaningful rehabilitation program and applying blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic techniques;
    • Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision prosthetic devices for Veterans within scope of practice;
    • Ability to serve as team coordinator for assigned Veterans during their rehabilitation programs.
• Grade Determination – GS‑11:
  • Experience: In addition to basic requirements, 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 a doctoral degree in Blind Rehabilitation or a directly related field;
  • Certification: Required at GS‑11 and above – must possess at least one active, current, full and unrestricted certification granted by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) or an equivalent/closely related professional credential in special education or rehabilitation. Specific certifications required based on service area:
    • Assistive Technology – Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist (CATIS®) or equivalent;
    • Orientation and mobility – Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS®);
    • Communication and daily living therapy/Rehabilitation Teaching – Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT®);
    • Low vision therapy – Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT®) or equivalent.
  • Additional KSAs (beyond GS‑9 level):
    • Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests/procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation;
    • Ability to properly assess Veterans with diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions;
    • Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes multidisciplinary evaluation information, observable‑measurable goals, and 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 rehabilitation plan outcomes;
    • Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required.
• References: VHA Directive 1174 and VA Handbook 5005‑48, Part II – Appendix G 41 – Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Qualification Standard GS‑601, Veterans Health Administration.
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS‑11; applicants may be selected at any grade in the range GS‑09 to GS‑11.

Responsibilities

• Evaluating and assessing needs, capabilities, and limitations; setting goals; prescribing treatment plans for individuals experiencing blindness/visual impairment due to injury or disease.
• Working as part of the inpatient rehabilitation team to coordinate care for blind and visually impaired Veterans.
• Maintaining close communication with all other members of the interdisciplinary SWBRC staff (optometry, psychology, social work, recreation, nursing) to ensure Veteran needs and goals are met.
• Independently evaluating, treating, and managing a blind and vision rehabilitation program of instruction that teaches Veterans with visual impairments to use adaptive skills and techniques necessary for daily life.
• Using diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and instrumentation to identify, resolve, or minimize problems.
• Identifying difficulties confronting the Veteran and barriers to treatment, then developing and providing interventions to enhance the blind and vision rehabilitation process.
• Developing individualized treatment plans in conjunction with an interdisciplinary team to improve quality of life for blind and visually impaired Veterans through skill development for personal independence, emotional stability, and successful integration into community, family, and environment.
• Serving 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.

Schedule

Full time – Monday‑Friday 7:30am‑4:00pm or 8:00am‑4:30pm.