Blind Rehabilitation Specialist

Summary The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Blind Rehabilitation Specialist for the GS-09/GS-11 grade levels at the Thomas H. Corey West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. Please note that this is an open continuous job announcement. Applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis as vacancies become available. 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 CitizenshipNon-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA PolicyEnglish Language ProficiencyCandidates 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 EnglishEducation - 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-degreeForeign 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 rehabilitationCertification - 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 appointmentCertification 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 rehabilitationNOTE: The ACVREP administers four certification programs: Low Vision Therapy - Orientation and Mobility - Assistive Technology Instruction and Vision Rehabilitation TherapyThey may then use the designation for the certification they holdBRS 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 positionCertification - No certification is required at this levelDemonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) - In addition to the education and experience above the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Knowledge of policies and procedures of the blind/vision rehabilitation serviceKnowledge of administration and interpretation of assessments and evaluations in blind/vision rehabilitationAbility to develop a basic written blind/vision rehabilitation plan from assessment results and develop more complex plans with consultation from supervisorSkill in instructing [Veterans] and families in a meaningful rehabilitation program and applying blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic techniquesAbility to recommend appropriate blind/vision prosthetic devices for Veterans within the scope of practiceAbility to serve as team coordinator for assigned Veterans during their rehabilitation programsBlind 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 Degreeor Doctoral Degree in Blind Rehabilitation or a directly related field***CANDADATE MUST POSSESS ONE UNRESTRICTED ACVREP CERTIFICATE ( O&M - CVRT - CLVT - OR CATIS) AT THE GS-11 LEVEL.*** Certification - Certification is required at this grade level and aboveBRSs at the GS-11 grade level must have at least one certification from ACVREP or a related - equivalent - professional certificationDemonstrated 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 rehabilitationAbility to properly assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventionsSkill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable - measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomesSkill in instructional methods and learning principlesAbility to employ interventions and unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation planAbility to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for Veterans within scope of practice - making adaptations and modifications as requiredReference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS09 to GS11Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service. Duties Major Duties and Responsibilities Enable Veterans to understand visual diagnoses - navigate sight loss - and assess mental health status - including screening for depression and suicide riskEvaluate visual-motor and visual-perceptual capabilities - physical health - cognitive functions - and social/cultural elements to accurately identify rehabilitation needs and goalsPartner with Veterans and interdisciplinary team members to establish - track - and modify individualized rehabilitation treatment plans using SMART goalsTrain patients in adaptive techniques - assistive technology - optical devices - and visual-perceptual enhancement to maximize independence in everyday lifeServe as a team coordinator - establish peer support networks - collaborate with external agencies and the VIST Coordinator - and coordinate care across multidisciplinary platformsMaintain accurate - concise clinical documentation - progress notes - discharge summaries - and administrative prosthetic consults in compliance with VHA and regulatory standardsEducate family members and significant others on coping mechanisms - and act as a subject matter expert and mentor to healthcare professionals and clinical traineesWork Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual positionFunctional Statement #: 40696F & 40316F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized