Blind Rehabilitation Specialist-Orientation and Mobility Specialist

About the role

The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist located at the Michael E. DeBakey VISOR Program provides care and services to enhance the quality of life for individuals with vision loss. This is accomplished when the Veteran/Servicemember participates in the VISOR program which provides an individualized treatment plan designed to enhance independence and integration back into the family and community.

Duties

• Interpreting documentation prior to evaluation and training
• Interpreting assessments, medical, and other professional documentation on an on-going basis during the patient's rehabilitation program
• Interpreting policies and directives to veterans in blind rehabilitation
• Evaluating with other team members and ancillary staff (e.g. Optometry, low vision therapy, computer/technology, etc.) the patient's cognitive abilities, visual functioning, memory, and motivation
• Developing a training plan based on assessment results, patient goals, and patient needs
• Providing instruction in the use of low vision and mobility aids
• Recommending adaptive prosthetic devices to meet individual needs
• Working with prosthetics to order equipment
• Working with local vendors for the delivery and setup of specific devices
• Keeping abreast of current literature, teaching strategies, and technological advances specific to visual impairment
• Documenting, in written form, the patient's progress, barriers to training and current treatment plan
• Becoming cross-trained with other specialties within the VISOR program for providing instruction in this area
• Attending and actively participating in staff/team meetings and serving as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team
• Writing required treatment plans, progress notes, and summaries for patient treatment
• Maintaining 5.0 data as required by VA Blind Rehabilitation
• Managing clinic utilization by scheduling and canceling appointments according to VA policies
• Assisting in the research of new devices and techniques for orientation and mobility training
• Presenting in-service, consultation, intra-VA details and community programs about visual impairment
• Completing required hours for VA educational training
• Obtaining and maintaining certification in respective areas
• Coordinating courtesy Quarter during VISOR HOPTEL
• Performing other duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Completion of 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.
• Completion of at least two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Doctoral Degree; or Doctoral Degree in Blind Rehabilitation or a directly related field.
• Certification is required at the GS-11 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.