Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (Visual Skills)

About the role

The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist position is located at the GCBRC, which provides training and instruction in blind and vision rehabilitation services for visually impaired Veterans and Service Members. The purpose for blind rehabilitation is to enhance the quality of life for individuals with vision loss through participation in a comprehensive and individualized rehabilitation program, so they may successfully reintegrate back into their community and family environments.

Responsibilities

• Function as a full member of the rehabilitation teams responsible for the total rehabilitation process including assessing needs and identifying Veteran-specific goals, development of individualized treatment plan, implementation of that plan, counseling, and recommending prosthetic and adaptive equipment to best meet the Veteran's training goals.
• Provide direct patient care and support services to an adult population of Veterans characterized by a very significant number of older Veterans.
• Review demographic data which discloses that the average age of the GCBRC Veteran is over 60 years old with a distribution of 90% male and 10% female.
• Work with family members and/or significant others to educate and counsel about the ramifications of visual impairment, family members are taught to recognize and change behaviors and behavior patterns that impede Blind and Vision Rehabilitation and how to cope with the psychological and social problems and their own individual stress.
• Independently evaluate, treat, and manage a Blind and Vision Rehabilitation program of instruction that teaches Veterans with visual impairments to utilize adaptive skills and techniques necessary to cope with the demands of everyday life.

Requirements

Basic Requirements:

• United States Citizenship: Candidate must be a citizen of the United States.
• English Language Proficiency: Candidate must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C.7403(f).

Qualifications

• Educational or certification/licensure requirements may be completed pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements.
• Certification: Required at the GS-11 grade level and above. Applicants must possess 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.

Skills

Skills required for the Blind Rehabilitation Specialist position include:

• Ability to function as a full member of the rehabilitation teams responsible for the total rehabilitation process.
• Ability to assess needs and identify Veteran-specific goals, develop individualized treatment plans, implement those plans, counsel, and recommend prosthetic and adaptive equipment.
• Ability to review demographic data and educate and counsel family members and/or significant others about the ramifications of visual impairment.
• Ability to independently evaluate, treat, and manage a Blind and Vision Rehabilitation program of instruction.

Benefits

No specific benefits are mentioned in the provided job posting.

Pay

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is between GS-09 to GS-11.

Schedule

Work schedule: 7:30am-4:00pm Monday to Friday (Subject to change based on the need of the facility).

Physical Requirements

Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Driver's license and physical exam required to confirm ability to operate a government vehicle.

Work Environment

The work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations. See Duties section for essential job duties of the position.

Functional Statement

Functional Statement #: 02149F - 02150F

Relocation/Recruitment Incentives

No relocation/recruitment incentives are available for this position.

Permanent Change of Station (PCS)

No PCS is available for this position.