The primary purpose of this position is to provide supervision and subject matter expertise for provision of blind and vision rehabilitation services for visually impaired Veterans and Service Members in the area of Orientation and Mobility. Blind Rehabilitation includes the disciplines of low vision therapy, orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, manual skills instruction, and computer access technology.

Duties

The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (Orientation and Mobility Supervisor) possesses professional knowledge of, and skill in applying concepts, principles, and practices of blind and vision rehabilitation to include assessment, treatment, and follow-up in Orientation and Mobility for the purpose of overseeing the work of Blind Rehabilitation Specialists who are GS-9 to GS-11 level in Orientation and Mobility and potentially to other Blind Rehabilitation Specialists. Duties include, but are not limited to: Identifies developmental and training needs for instructors and provides provisions for appropriate training and maintains the program guidelines, lesson plans and manuals which serve as the method of prescriptive training to be used by instructors working with patients Plans and coordinates staff meetings, orientations, training programs, and manages weekly/daily teaching schedule and patient assignments for direct reports while ensuring adequate patient coverage and researches/evaluates new devices and training techniques Provides coverage of Veterans' treatment programs in the absence of regularly assigned blind rehabilitation specialists Resolves employee complaints and refers group grievances to higher level Collaborates with Human Resources on disciplinary actions, such as warning and reprimands, recommending higher actions to upper-level management and interviews candidates for vacancies and makes recommendations for appointment, promotion, or reassignment Develops performance standards, position descriptions, and other HR related paperwork or requests Ensures that staff members submit all required progress notes, reports, and summaries in a timely fashion and after receipt reviews all final reports for completeness and accuracy Conducts periodic evaluations of instructional plans developed by instructors for Veterans assigned to them for training to ensure consistency in curriculum, teaching methodology and quality of instruction Coordinates and maintains a comprehensive cross-training curriculum for training the staff from other skill areas Educates visitors and family members about Orientation and Mobility and how it fits into the general Blind Rehabilitation program Responsible for the maintenance of supplies and equipment essential in the administration of Veteran training programs and ensures that both are ordered in a timely manner and that adequate levels are maintained Develops and implements new therapy approaches after development and coordination of research programs as a subject matter expert (SME) in blind rehabilitation Periodically assumes administrative responsibilities to ensure satisfactory continuation of the rehabilitation program in the absence of the Chief and/or Assistant Chief, the Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Serves as a member of the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center Leadership Team which develops policy/guidelines and contributes to defining the vision, values, goals and action plans that supports the VA Palo Alto Health Care System Blind Rehabilitation Strategic Plan Advances the goals of equal employment opportunity (EEO) by taking positive steps to adhere to nondiscriminatory employment practices in regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability Monitors and reports on the status and progress of work, evaluate program quality to ensure that methods, deadlines, and quality have been met; and make adjustments to accomplish the workload Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 049850 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent 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. 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. Education: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, a 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 in any field of study 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: Applicants must possess at least one active, current, full and unrestricted certification to be eligible for appointment which 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 NOTE : 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 below: Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT) Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS) Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT) Grade Determination: GS-12: 1. 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. 2. Certification. Blind Rehabilitation Specialist must meet the certification requirements listed above. 3. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. 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 Preferred Experience: None. Reference: VA HANDBOOK 5005/109, PART II, APPENDIX G41 The full performance level of this occupation is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring exertion such as standing or walking; frequent bending, reaching, stooping to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patient's equipment and pushing or pulling heavy objects. The work may require special physical characteristics and abilities such as above average dexterity to perform intricate procedures. The work requires the ability to cope with a variety and complexity of situations due to the diversity of patients, duties and responsibilities. The work requires patience and controlling of emotions when providing rehabilitation. The work environment may be in an office, clinical setting, computer classroom, VA grounds, and hospitals. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work, however, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items, such as papers and books. Travel involves the normal risks and discomforts of automobile, bus, rail, or air transportation.

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 Palo Alto VA Medical Center 3801 Miranda Avenue Palo Alto, CA 94304 US
• Name: VHA National Recruitment Center
• Phone: (844)456-5208
• Email: [email protected]