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 a complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist position is located at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Washington, DC, in the Visual Impairment Services Outpatient Rehabilitation (VISOR) Clinic under the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. The primary purpose of this position is to provide blind and vision rehabilitation services to visually impaired Veterans and Servicemembers. Blind Rehabilitation includes the disciplines of low vision therapy, orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, manual skills, and computer access instruction. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist possesses professional knowledge of skill in applying concepts, principles, and practices of blind and vision rehabilitation to include assessment, treatment, and follow-up. A Blind Rehabilitation Specialist functions independently in several settings, including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, educational institutions, and home environments. Primary duties include providing low vision/visual skills instruction to the blind and visually impaired Veterans and Servicemembers. Low Vision/Visual Skills: The Low Vision/Visual Skills instructional area assesses the Veteran's visual functioning and remaining sight and provides education and training to Veterans on how to optimize this vision. Training is designed to improve the Veteran's ability to successfully complete daily tasks by using specialized visual perceptual and visual motor skills, optical and non-optical devices, ergonomic enhancement, and environmental modification. The treatment plan and visual profile is formulated in collaboration with the low-vision optometrist who is providing clinical low-vision care. Specific responsibilities of the Low Vision Specialist include: Works with the low-vision optometrist, assesses visual acuity, visual fields, contrast sensitivity function, color vision, stereopsis, visual perceptual and visual motor functioning, and literacy skills in reading Assists in the evaluation of appropriate devices prescribed by the eye care professional Teaches visual perceptual and visual motor skills in relation to overall perceptual and motor skills and coordination and specific visual perceptual skills. Provides instruction in the use of adaptive equipment that enhances visual function and/or compensates for loss of vision. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist provides direct patient care and support services to an adult population of Veterans with severe visual impairment or blindness. As a Polytrauma Amputation Network Site (PANS), the program also receives referrals from the Polytrauma program. Within these broad categorizations, the Blind Rehabilitation Specialist must tailor rehabilitation care and support services to meet the needs of the individual Veteran. This includes the responsibility for assessing each Veteran's needs and delivering services that are responsive to the concerns of individual Veterans to the extent possible. GS-9 (Entry Level): Individuals at this grade level serve as entry-level staff BRSs. They are responsible for intake, assessment, planning for rehabilitation, intervention, and follow-up in the content specialties. They receive guidance from experienced staff members for the most complex Veteran cases. GS-11 (Full performance level): This is the full performance level for BRSs who are not VIST Coordinators. Assignments at this grade level include the following: Staff BRS. In addition to providing services to Veterans described at the GS-9 grade level, individuals at this level have duties that typically include the following: serving as a consultant to blind/low vision rehabilitation and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating Veterans in the specialty area; serving as a mentor to other therapists who are evaluating and treating Veterans in the content specialty or program area; serving as internship supervisor to students who are completing their supervised practice; and providing in-service and clinical training programs in the content specialty or program area. BRS (Sole Practice). Individuals in this assignment may serve as the only BRS at a medical center or an outpatient clinic and are responsible for independent decision-making and independent care. Individuals in this assignment serve as a member of or as consultants to a specialty care team, [and provide in-service and clinical training programs in the content specialty or program area. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be Authorized for highly qualified applicants. EDRP Authorized: Contact the VISN 5 EDRP Coordinators at [email protected], EDRP Coordinator, for questions/assistance. Learn more 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. 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. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy) English Language Proficiency. Candidates appointed under the authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74 to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA must be proficient in written and spoken English. 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. 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 subparagraph (2)) below:(2) BRS who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows: Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS). Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT). Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT). Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS). Grandfathering Provision. Applicants 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 and educational requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: BRS, GS-9 (Entry Level) (1) Experience. Bachelor's degree and completion of one year of experience (see Creditable Experience); OR, (2) 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. (3) Certification. No certification is required at this level. (4) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the education and experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of policies and procedures of the blind/vision rehabilitation service. (b) Knowledge of administration and interpretation of assessments and evaluations in blind/vision rehabilitation. (c) Ability to develop a basic written blind/vision rehabilitation plan from assessment results and develop more complex plans with consultation from supervisor. (d) Skill in instructing Veterans and families in a meaningful rehabilitation program and applying blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic techniques. (e) Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision prosthetic devices for Veterans within the scope of practice. (f) Ability to serve as team coordinator for assigned Veterans during their rehabilitation programs. BRS, GS-11 (Full performance level) (1) Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade (see Creditable Experience); OR, (2) 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. (3) Certification. Certification is required at this grade level and above. Staff BRS candidates must meet the certification requirements above. BRSs at the GS-11 grade level must have at least one certification from ACVREP or a related equivalent, professional certification. (4) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-9 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. (b) Ability to properly assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions. (c) Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes. (d) Skill in instructional methods and learning principles. (e) Ability to employ interventions and unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan. (f) Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for Veterans within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required. Creditable Experience: To be creditable, the experience must demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current blind and vision rehabilitation practice, as outlined in the current scope and standards of practice for blind and vision rehabilitation. Applicants may have one or more of the following: The equivalent of one year of active practice. Active practice means paid/non-paid employment (VA or Non-VA) as a Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (BRS) or Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS). Academic course work leading to an advanced degree in blind or vision rehabilitation or closely related rehabilitation therapeutic intervention program (see Graduate Education). Preferred Experience: Applicants that hold a current ACVREP certification in Low Vision Therapy (CLVT). Physical Requirements: Requires regular and recurring exertion such as standing, ascending, and descending stairs, or walking for up to two continuous hours; frequent bending; reaching above the shoulder; medium lifting and carrying (up to 10; pushing or pulling objects. The work requires the ability to cope with various and complex situations due to the diversity of patients, duties, and responsibilities. The work requires pushing veterans in wheelchairs on a regular basis. References: VA Handbook 5005-109, Part II, Appendix G41, Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Qualification Standard GS-601 Veterans Health Administration. 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-09 to GS-11. Note: This open continuous announcement will close on January 19, 2024, or until the position is filled. Qualified applicants will be considered and referred once a month until the vacancy is filled.

Education

Basic Requirement:

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, a 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 (a) above that included, or was supplemented by, at least one of the following:

1. At least 30 semester hours of directly upper-level undergraduate courses (e.g., at least 200-course level or higher, or as identified by the college or university).
2. One full year of directly graduate-level the level coursework (typically at least 15 -18 semester hours).
3. 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.
4. 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.

Graduate Education: Master's/Doctoral degrees may be substituted for experience through the GS-11 grade level (Master's degree up to the GS-9 grade level, Doctoral degree up to the GS-11 grade level). Degrees must be from a college or university that was regionally or nationally accredited at the time the candidate completed the program. To substitute the degree, it must have been completed after the individual met the basic requirements for appointment.

References: VA Handbook 5005-109, Part II, Appendix G41, Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Qualification Standard GS-601 Veterans Health Administration.

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 Washington VA Medical Center 50 Irving Street, Northwest Washington, DC 20422 US
• Name: Denitria Washington
• Phone: 1(443)240-3497
• Email: [email protected]