The Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) Coordinator plans, develops, implements, directs and evaluates the VIST program at the VA Long Beach and other sites within his or her catchment area. Responsible for the coordination of all services for visually impaired Veterans and Service members and their families. The VIST Coordinator works closely with a VIST Program Support Assistant who provides daily support for VIST scheduling and other administrative tasks to maximize Veteran coordination.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to: Developing a strong VIS Team program by providing effective leadership and high visibility at the VA facility. Building/developing a strong VIS Team with membership consisting of Service Chiefs or designates who are in a position to implement policy. Developing written policies/procedures/documentation for VIST program to meet Joint Commission Home Care standards for Vision Rehabilitation; and Completing written narrative reports and presenting same as requested for VA medical facility and program office. Developing a cache of educational materials, in a variety of media that can be utilized to help achieve VIST outreach goals and objectives. Utilizing developed methodologies to identify Veterans who may be eligible for VIST program services, to include identifying blind Veterans from VA medical center diagnosis codes entered in their electronic medical record. Educating VA medical center staff on the functional implications of vision loss and on blind rehabilitation matters and services. The coordination and overview of all of the Veteran's blind rehabilitation needs. Determining the intensity of services based upon clinical judgment and the Veteran's goals. Assuring that legally blind patients have this status in their problem lists. Perform assessments to establish Veterans' needs as they relate to the continuum of vision and rehabilitation treatment services. Referring Veterans to the appropriate service component in the continuum of care for visually impaired Veterans. Completing required patient record documentation that is meaningful, accurate, timely and concise. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:PD001429 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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®) BRS VIST Coordinators may be drawn from traditional blind/vision rehabilitation backgrounds, and from counseling backgrounds such as social work, vocational rehabilitation counseling, etc. VIST Coordinators must be credentialed/certified through: Any certification via the ACVREP. OR Individuals appointed based on experience as a Social Worker must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work. If appointed as a VIST Coordinator, Social Workers are appointed to the GS-0601 series, but must still maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. OR Certification via the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, (CRC), OR Individuals appointed based on experience in other health care occupations must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice in their field. If appointed as a VIST Coordinator, such individuals are appointed to the GS-0601 series, but must still maintain their full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification in their occupation to remain qualified for employment. Examples of occupations may include but [are not limited to Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Preferred Experience/Qualifications: History and experience working with visually impaired population. Familiarity with assistive Technology and Visual Aids. Grade Determinations: GS-12 Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (VIST Coordinator- Full Performance Level) Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to GS-11 grade level. Certification: VIST Coordinator candidates 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 KSA: Skill to effectively communicate both orally and in writing with staff at all organizational levels, with Veterans and their family members, with community groups, and individuals with varying degrees of understanding. Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for therapeutic interventions. Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines and contains observable, measurable goals that identify specific outcomes. Knowledge of VA and non-VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs. Skill in interpersonal relationships dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders. Knowledge of psychological, rehabilitation, and counseling theories and principles. Ability to coordinate with various resources to identify and refer Veterans to suitable training programs. 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. Assignment. The GS-12 grade level is the full performance level for a VIST Coordinator. Individuals in this assignment will demonstrate mastery in adjustment counseling, coordinating access to services, assuring adequate compensation and benefits, and must conduct complex negotiations with the medical and benefit systems as well as non-VA service delivery systems. VIST Coordinators convene and manage a local medical center Visual/Impairment Services Team that meets regularly to influence and make recommendations regarding the best programs for Veterans who are visually impaired. VIST Coordinators at the full performance level manage a support group for blinded Veterans, publish a VIST newsletter, and provide community presentations to professional and lay groups to publicize the program. They plan and execute programs to locate blinded Veterans previously unknown to Blind Rehabilitation Service through outreach in their medical centers, in the community and in other service delivery systems such as vocational rehabilitation, community services for the visually impaired, community eye care, etc. They work closely with the BRS national consultants and VA central office staff to continuously upgrade and improve their practice and programs. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G41 - Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Qualification Standard. Physical Requirements: Work may require, moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), light lifting (under 15 lbs), light carrying, reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, both hands required, standing ( 4 hours), both legs required, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing aid permitted, hand hygiene. Environmental factors are working alone, dust, and working closely with others.

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
• Email: [email protected]