This Blind Rehabilitation Specialist position is in Surgical Service (Optometry) at the VA Boston Health Care System, located at the Jamaica Plains location. This position is a full-time at 40 hours per week.

Duties

The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist-CAT Instructor provides direct patient care and support services to an adult population of patients which is characterized by a majority of older male patients. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist provides a full range of assessment and rehabilitation services to patients with multiple problems including vision loss and a broad spectrum of concomitant physical and cognitive disabilities. The employee must tailor patient care to meet the needs of the individual patient. This includes the responsibility for assessment of each patient's needs and the delivery of services which are responsive to the concerns of individual patient to the extent possible. The complexity of the impact of vision loss often necessitates innovative approaches to resolving critical issues for effective rehabilitation. This work involves planning and developing essential services and functions that are critical to the treatment of someone with the loss of a vital sensory system. Issues connected with safety, self-esteem, families, qualities of life are paramount to effective rehabilitation. The incumbent is responsible for providing Computer Access Technology (CAT) Training Programs 1. The incumbent reviews and interprets pertinent patient documentation and records as consulted. 2. The incumbent independently assesses, plans, and instructs in CAT and teaches the skills necessary to use specialized access software/equipment to operate assistive technology. The CAT Instructor continues to reassess patient's needs and goal attainment throughout the rehabilitation process and modifies as necessary. Assessment includes: a) Review of the patient's background, interests, future plans, motivation, needs, goals, and aptitude. b) Considers input from team members. c) Evaluates the patient's functional visual capabilities, ability to use large print, synthetic speech, and/or voice recognition to perform computer related activities. d) Determines appropriate instructional techniques. 3. The incumbent may serve as a subject matter expert for other medical and allied health staff by providing counseling to healthcare providers and professionals on the nature of blindness/visual impairment and Vision Rehabilitation. Performs other duties as assigned. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist is expected to obtain and maintain certification in the appropriate discipline of blind/vision rehabilitation. Work Schedule: M-F 7 am - 4 pm Compressed: Not Authorized Telework: Not Authorized Functional Statement #: 523-F03955 Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not AuthorizedPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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. Education (1) The individual must have earned: (a) 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, (b) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (without a major field of study as outlined in (1)(a) above) that included, or was supplemented by, at least one of the following: i. 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). ii. One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15 - 18 semester hours). iii. 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. iv. 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. (1) 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. [ ] English Language Proficiency. Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who are not proficient in written and spoken English. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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.] In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. This criteria is consistent with the two grade interval structure for professional/scientific professions found in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G17. [BRS, GS-12 (Sole Practice)] (1) Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. (2) Certification. Staff BRS candidates must meet the certification requirements in paragraph 3c(1) above. (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: [(a) Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized, complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation. (c) Ability to properly assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for therapeutic interventions. (d) Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines and contains observable, measurable goals that identify specific outcomes. (e) Ability to act as a subject matter expert in the blind/vision rehabilitation field and as a consultant, supervisor and/or mentor in evaluating and treating Veterans in specialty or program areas. (f) Ability to employ interventions and unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan. (g) Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for Veterans within the scope of practice, while making adaptations and modifications, as required. (h) Ability to independently develop, plan, and administer complex treatment programs. (i) Ability to communicate both orally and in writing with staff at all organizational levels, Veterans and their family members, community groups, and individuals with varying degrees of understanding.] References: The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 12.

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 Boston Healthcare System 940 Belmont Street Brockton, MA 02301 US
• Name: James Wilson
• Phone: 518-779-4210
• Email: [email protected]