The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC) is a 32-bed residential facility located at the Palo Alto Division of the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). The WBRC provides supports and services annually to visually impaired veterans and active-duty service members. The WBRC embraces an interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of visual impairment so that program participants receive the full complement of services.

Duties

The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist must be capable of facilitating a program of diverse activities using appropriate strategies, modalities and interventions to meet the needs and interests of patients who may be physically, psychologically, emotionally and/or socially dysfunctional. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist draws upon a broad spectrum of knowledge of blind rehabilitation and the characteristics of human behavior when judging the condition of the Veteran. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist recognizes the relationship between disability and the effects of rehabilitation in addition to assessing the response to treatment. This position requires the incumbent possess strong interpersonal skills, mature professional judgment, technical knowledge of wood working tools, computer skills, resourcefulness, initiative, creativity and the flexibility to use a wide range of blind rehabilitation practice skills. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist provides a full range of assessment and rehabilitation services to patients with multiple problems arising from the broad spectrum of concomitant disabilities with vision loss. The complexity of the impact of vision loss often necessitates innovative approaches to resolving critical issues in the provision of 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. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000-000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required This position may be hired at GS9 ($85,799 - $111,535) or GS11($103,808 - $134,946).

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: 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. Grade Determinations: To Qualify for the GS-09: Blind Rehabilitation Specialist, GS-9 (Entry Level) Experience: Bachelor's degree and completion of one year of experience. OR Education: Completion of at least two full years of progressive graduate education or a master's degree in a field directly related to the position. Certification: No certification is required at this level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the education and experience above the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Knowledge of policies and procedures of the blind/vision rehabilitation service. Knowledge of administration and interpretation of assessments and evaluations in blind/vision rehabilitation. Ability to develop a basic written blind/vision rehabilitation plan from assessment results and develop more complex plans with consultation from supervisor. Skill in instructing [Veterans] and families in a meaningful rehabilitation program and applying blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic techniques. Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision prosthetic devices for Veterans within the scope of practice. Ability to serve as team coordinator for assigned Veterans during their rehabilitation programs. To Qualify for the GS-11: Blind Rehabilitation Specialist, GS-11 (NOTE: Full performance level for BRS who are not VIST Coordinators.) Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade. OR Education. Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Doctoral Degree; or Doctoral Degree in Blind Rehabilitation or a directly related field. Certification. Certification is required at this grade level and above. Staff BRS candidates must meet the certification requirements in paragraph 3c(1) above. BRSs at the GS-11 grade level must have at least one certification from ACVREP or a related, equivalent, professional certification. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation. Ability to properly assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions. Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes. Skill in instructional methods and learning principles. Ability to employ interventions and unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan. Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for Veterans within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required. 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). References: VA Handbook 5005/109 PART II APPENDIX G41 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11. 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: Shannon Blemberg
• Phone: 9166408042
• Email: [email protected]