The Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist is a subject matter expert in one or more of the 5 disciplines (Living Skills, Manual Skills, Computer Access Training, Orientation and Mobility, & Visual Skills), which includes the use of partial vision in conjunction with complex low-vision optometric aids and devices; scanning and other eye-movement skills; attention to zones of quality vision within mixed-quality visual fields; focusing vision for short, intermediate and long-distance tasks.

Duties

The Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist provides supervision for the provisions to enhance the quality of life for individuals with vision loss through participation in a comprehensive and individualized rehabilitation program. The Blind Rehabilitation Supervisor performs their duties in a 24-bed, multidisciplinary inpatient Blind Rehabilitation Center (BRC) at the Long Beach VAHS. As such, they are responsible for ensuring patients receive a continuum of care by integrating their specialty with related inpatient and outpatient services. The major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Participates in the planning, reviewing, and evaluating proposed therapy programs at the inpatient Blind Rehabilitation Center. Assists other section supervisors in scheduling the patient's treatment program. Assigns and reviews work as well as the administrative and personnel management functions. Identifies developmental and training needs for instructors and provides provisions for appropriate training. Assigns departmental duties and sets priorities and schedules for completing these duties. Schedules, plans, and coordinates the orientation and training programs for new employees and clinical trainees under their supervision. Coordinates annual leave and authorized absence to ensure adequate patient coverage and approve/disapprove leave requests. Resolves instructor problems or complaints, advises counsel, and instructs employees on work and administrative matters. Responsible for counseling staff in performance matters, meeting regularly to encourage professional growth. Reviews all final reports for completeness and accuracy. Mentors university trainees. Utilizes data and metrics to evaluate and improve processes within program. Responsible for orienting students to the BRC and the respective program(s), organizing internship experiences to enable the development of Blind and Vision Rehabilitation teaching skills, and providing opportunities for both formal and informal evaluation. Responsible for the safety and maintenance of the offices and therapy area in the skill area. Researches and evaluates new devices, training techniques and share findings and recommendations with other members of the team. Responsible for monitoring and ordering supplies and equipment for their section and ensuring that adequate levels are maintained. Reviews prosthetic requests for patients in the skill area. Participates in quality assurance programs and accreditation preparations. Responsible for developing and coordinating research programs, developing and implementing new therapy approaches. Responsible for furthering the goals of equal employment opportunity (EEO). Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Education. 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 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-degree. Foreign 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 rehabilitation. 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. The ACVREP administers four certification programs: Low Vision Therapy, Orientation and Mobility, Assistive Technology Instruction and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. They may then use the designation for the certification they hold (as listed in subparagraph (2)) below: BRS who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows: Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS). Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT) Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT) Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) Loss of Credential Once certified, a BRS must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of certification will result in removal from the BRS occupation and may result in termination of employment. A BRS who has, or has ever had his/her certification revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section B, Paragraph 16 of this part. If hired based on experience as a social worker, rehabilitation counselor, or equivalent, relevant professional counseling credential in rehabilitation, the VIST Coordinator must still maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. Preferred Experience/Qualifications: 1. History and experience working with visually impaired population. 2. Familiarity with Assistive Technology and Visual Aids. 3. Familiarity training and coaching fellow professionals within a learning environment. 4. Professional to closely collaborate with fellow Supervisory and leadership teams to lead staff and Veteran programs. Grade Determinations: GS-12 Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (Supervisory) Experience:In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Certification: BRS must meet the certification requirements mentioned in the certification section above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to plan, direct, mentor, and distribute work assignments to volunteers, assistants, interns, and/or Blind Rehabilitation Specialists at lower grade levels.] 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 Veterans 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 Veterans, 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, develop short term and long-range goals, and plan for future utilization of resources. Skill in developing, planning, and administering complex treatment programs. Assignment. The employee assigned to this position is located within an inpatient Blind Rehabilitation Center (BRC) and functions in a supervisory position for BRS professional staff at the GS-9 and GS-11 grade levels and who are not VIST Coordinators or Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialists. This employee serves as a subject matter expert, assuring that a complete range of skills are available for a diverse Veteran population at affiliated blind rehabilitation inpatient centers or outpatient clinics. At this level, the blind or vision rehabilitation program typically includes a variety of specialties, an extensive educational program, and data collection and review as well as research activities. Additional activities include the evaluation of new products and equipment and making recommendations concerning upgrades/new purchases that would improve operations. Other supervisory responsibilities include informing higher-level management of anticipated staffing variances and recommending promotions, reassignments, or other personnel actions such as retention or release of probationary employees as well as recommending recognition of superior performance when applicable. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G41 - Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion, involving standing/sitting for prolonged periods of time, lifting/carrying of pharmaceutical supplies weighing up to 35lbs, and bending/stooping.

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 Long Beach VA Medical Center 5901 East Seventh Street Long Beach, CA 90822 US
• Name: Mary Almonte
• Phone: 719-216-4769
• Email: [email protected]