Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (VIST Coordinator)

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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
• Assesses each patient's needs and the delivery of services which are responsive to the concerns of individual patients to the extent possible
• Evaluates and assesses 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
• Uses 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
• Uses and maintains 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
• Familys 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

Qualifications

• Completion of a minimum of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to GS-11 grade level
• 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
• 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
• 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