This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

A recruitment or relocation incentive may be paid to a Highly Qualified candidate. Duties of the Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist include, but are not limited to: Provides supervision as well as direct patient care and support services to an adult population of Veterans which is characterized by a very significant number of older Veterans. Must have professional knowledge in Low Vision, Orientation and Mobility, Living Skills, Manual Skills, and Computer Access Training. Adapt assessments to clients' unique medical, physical, psychosocial needs including environmental considerations. Esures that Blind Rehabilitation Specialists maintain close communication with all other members of the interdisciplinary GCBRC staff, including optometry, psychology, social work, recreation, and nursing, to ensure the needs and goals of the Veteran are being met. Responsible for assisting other section supervisors in scheduling the Veteran's treatment program. Participates in the family training program to promote the continued personal development of the patient after returning to the home environment. Assigns departmental duties and sets priorities and schedules for the completion of these duties. Identifies developmental duties and sets priorities and schedules for the completion of these duties. Responsible for maintaining the program guidelines, lesson plans and manuals which serve as the method of prescriptive training to be used by other instructors working with patients in the department. Coordinates annual leave and authorized absence for this section to ensure adequate patient coverage and approve/disapprove leave request. Responsible for providing coverage of Veterans' treatment programs in the absence of their regularly assigned Blind Rehabilitation Specialist. Resolves instructor problems or complaints, advises, counsels, and instructs employees on work and administrative matters. Responsible for counseling staff in matters of performance, meeting on a regular basis to encourage personal and professional growth and increased involvement in the rehabilitation program. Responsible for ensuring that staff members submit all required progress notes, reports and summaries in a time fashion. Oversees the internship training of university trainees assigned to their team, and is responsible for orienting them to GCBRC. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 520-00678-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May Be Authorized EDRP Authorized: Contact [email protected], the EDRP Coordinator for questions/assistance. Learn more Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.g., of this part.) Education: The individual must have earned: 1(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, 2(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: 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. 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. Grandfathering Provision: All BRSs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification(s) that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply: Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation. Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification(s) that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required equivalent credential(s) as a condition of employment in the occupation. If a BRS who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. Grade Determinations: Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist GS-12 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. 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) Ability to plan, direct, mentor, and distribute work assignments to volunteers, assistants, interns, and/or Blind Rehabilitation Specialists at lower grade levels. (b) 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. (c) Ability to coordinate, motivate, and effectively manage staff and/or committee members to include organizing work, setting priorities, and delegating tasks and responsibilities. (d) Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as a consultant or mentor. (e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with Veterans, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders. (f) Ability to identify team group dynamics, objectively observe, and modify behaviors. (g) 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. (h) Skill in developing, planning, and administering complex treatment programs. References: VA Handbook 5005/109, PART II, APPENDIX G41 Preferred Experience: Experience with Visual Skills and Manual Skills The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS12. Physical Requirements: Must have adequate vision to perform functional vision assessments to include--color vision, contrast sensitivity, lighting and glare, visual clutter, targeting, eccentric viewing, ocular motor abilities, etc. Work is active and, on occasion, physical-- dependent upon the activity engaged with the Veteran. Physical activities such as lifting up to 40 pounds, moving, bending, and stooping are required. Use of both hands is required. Ability to assist Veterans with transfers. Exposure to heat and cold, inside and outside activities are part of the position. This is an inpatient setting and occasional exposure to ill Veterans will occur.

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 Biloxi VA Medical Center 400 Veterans Avenue Biloxi, MS 39531 US
• Name: Alan Stagg-Scalia
• Phone: (501) 231-9930
• Email: [email protected]