The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist. The Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist will function in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service.

Duties

The Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist duties include, but are not limited to: Provide direct patient care and support services to an adult population of patients. Tailor patient care and support services to meet the needs of the individual patient, male or female and from different cultures. Responsible for assessment of each patient's needs and the delivery of services which are responsive to the concerns of individual patients to the extent possible. Schedule Veterans according to established medical center guidelines and policies. Consult with VIST, Cleveland Blind Rehabilitation Center, eye clinics, blind and vision rehabilitation services and community resources to locate and serve potential Veterans to offer direct blind and vision rehabilitation services. Use objective and subjective assessment tools and methods requiring broadly based advanced knowledge in the six areas. Develop an individualized rehabilitation-training plan for each Veteran with rehabilitation potential. Prioritize rehabilitation training activities so as to maximize Veterans served, consistent with quality care and safety. Function as an independent provider of blind and vision rehabilitation services. Provide effective patient counseling in the adjustment to blindness as an integral component of the work. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:00am-3:30pm Telework: Available; 6 or more days per pay period Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 92918-0 (GS-11) and 92919-0 (GS-12) Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f). Education: The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, [or a closely] related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology, and industrial arts education; OR A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, [or a closely] related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology, and industrial arts education; OR A bachelor's [or master's] degree from an accredited college or university (without a major field of study as outlined in (1)(a) and (b) above) and obtained 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. This education must have included supervised practice; and completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the BRS, GS-9 grade level; OR Three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a doctoral degree in blind rehabilitation or a directly related field. Certification: Applicants must possess at least one active, current, full, and unrestricted certification to be eligible for appointment. NOTE: The Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) administers [four (4)] certification programs: Low Vision Therapy, Orientation, and Mobility, [Certified Assistive Technology Instructions Specialist] and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. ) Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialists who provide the following services must obtain and maintain one certification at the GS-11 grade level and two certifications at the GS-12 grade level 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 Specialist (CATIS)]. Foreign graduates. Graduates of foreign programs 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 rehabilitation. 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: GS-11 Education, Experience, and Certification. None beyond the basic requirements for education and experience. Candidates must obtain and maintain one certification granted by ACVREP. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all [of] the following KSAs: Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation. Ability to properly assess a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions. Skill in development and writing of a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes. Knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles. Ability to employ interventions, unusual motivational techniques, and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan. Skill in recommending appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for patients within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required. Ability to plan, direct, and distribute work assignments to volunteers, assistants, interns, and/or BRSs at lower grade levels and perform assigned mentoring duties for staff, students, and interns. GS-12 Education, Experience, and Certification. In addition to the basic requirements, candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level, possess two ACVREP certifications to demonstrate full mastery in two areas of blind rehabilitation and demonstrate all the KSAs below: Skill to independently develop, plan, and administer complex treatment programs. Ability to act as a subject matter expert in the blind/vision rehabilitation field and as consultant, supervisor and/or mentor in evaluating and treating patients in specialty or program areas. Ability to coordinate, motivate, and effectively manage staff and/or committee members to include organizing work, setting priorities, and delegating tasks and responsibilities. Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as a consultant or mentor. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders. Ability to identify team group dynamics, objectively observe, and modify behaviors. Ability to apply decision-making principles to adjust programs on a day-to-day basis, to develop short-term and long-range goals, and to plan for future utilization of resources. Preferred Experience: Experience with Low Vision References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/110 PART II APPENDIX G42 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work requires the ability to cope with a variety and complexity of situations due to the diversity of patients, staff, duties and responsibilities. The work environment may be in an office, clinical setting, VA grounds and community. The work requires regular and recurring exertion such as standing, ascending and descending stairs, or walking for up to two continuous hours; frequent bending; reaching above the shoulder; medium lifting and carrying (up to 40 pounds), pushing or pulling objects. The work requires pushing veterans in wheelchairs on a regular basis. This position requires some exposure to blood borne pathogens, body fluids, and other potentially infectious materials.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System 10701 East Boulevard Cleveland, OH 44106 US
• Name: Karrie Kole
• Phone: (269)873-3563
• Email: [email protected]