The Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) Coordinator plans, develops, implements, directs and evaluates the VIST program at the VHA sites within the North Florida/South Georgia VA Health System catchment area. The VIST Coordinator has major responsibility for the coordination of all services for visually impaired Veterans and Servicemembers and their families through the Visual Impairment Services Team.

Duties

The Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) Coordinator functions independently in a number of settings including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, educational institutions and home environments. The work environment may be in an office, clinical setting, classroom, private home, VA grounds, nursing home, community sites, and hospitals. The NF/SG VIST Coordinator is a part of the Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Department (PMRS) and is responsible for a primary VIST Roster by location, and coverage for all other VIST Rosters when needed. The VIST Coordinator case manages patient care and support services to an adult population of patients which is characterized by a very significant number of older male patients as well as young OEF/OIF Veterans who may have wound and trauma related vision loss. Within these broad categorizations, the employee must tailor patient care and support services to meet the needs of the individual patient. This includes the responsibility for assessment of each patient's needs and assuring the delivery of services that are responsive to the concerns of individual patients to the extent possible. VIST Coordinator duties may include by are not limited to: Program Administration 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. Conducting VIS Team meetings with agenda and minutes and promoting member investment. Identifying gaps in services and/or programs and revising care in consultation with supervisor VIS Team/Management UBlind Rehabilitation National Consultant. Participating and developing quality assurance and quality improvement activities with oversight from direct supervisor and program office; Developing written policies/procedures/documentation for VIST program to meet CARF and Joint Commission Home Care standards for Vision Rehabilitation based on direction from immediate Supervisor. Completing written narrative reports and presenting same as requested for VA medical facility and program office. Outreach and Education Developing a cache of educational materials, in a variety of media that can be utilized to help achieve VIST outreach goals and objectives; Providing in-service educational training for VA and non-VA agencies and personnel; Seeking to improve others' awareness with regard to blindness/low vision issues and services. Utilizing developed methodologies to identify Veterans who may be eligible for VIST program services, to include identifying Veterans with legal blindness and low vision from VA medical center encounters and diagnostic codes entered in electronic medical records; and Educating VA medical center staff on the functional implications of vision loss, blind rehabilitation matters and services. VIST Coordinators are case managers for all eligible Veterans who have visual impairments requiring blind rehabilitation services. Other duties include: The coordination and overview of all of the Veteran's blind/low vision rehabilitation needs. Determining the intensity of services based upon clinical judgment and the Veteran's goals. Assuring that Veterans with legal blindness/low vision have this status in their problem lists VIST Coordinators assess, treat, plan and follow up treatment for visually impaired Veterans. This includes: Performing problem-based needs assessments to establish Veterans' needs as they relate to the continuum of vision treatment services. Referring Veterans to the appropriate service components in the continuum of care for visually impaired Veterans. Developing focused treatment plans containing S. M. A. R. T. goals to meet the Veterans' needs. Collaborating closely with Blind/Low Vision Rehabilitation/Other Clinical staff for coordination of care. Completing required patient record documentation that is meaningful, accurate, timely and concise. Inputting referrals/required information in national Blind Rehabilitation database to avoid fragmented care. Providing follow-up for rehabilitation services that the Veteran has received. The VIST Coordinators maintains effective communication with all of the BRS field elements to maximize Veterans' blind/low vision rehabilitation outcomes. VIST Coordinators also develop helpful relationships with consumer groups, such as Blinded Veterans Association. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Telework: Not Available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: PD51791F and PD51790F 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: 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 the referenced Qualification Standard.) 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, of the referenced Qualification Standard. Education. Applicants must meet one of the following minimum education requirements to qualify as a Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (BRS) (VIST Coordinator): 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 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. 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 Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (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. GRADE REQUIREMENTS The full performance level for Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (VIST Coordinator) is the GS-12 grade level. In addition to the Basic Requirements, the following are the grade requirements. Grade Determinations: GS-11 BRS (VIST Coordinator) - Developmental Level - Experience or Education AND Certification: Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level. -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. -AND- Certification. VIST Coordinator candidates must meet the certification requirements in the referenced Qualification Standard, paragraph 3c(3). BRSs who are 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 may be credentialed/certified through any of the following: Certification via the ACVREP; -OR- Licensure via the Social Worker Licensure Board; -OR- Certification via the CRCC; -OR- Equivalent and relevant professional credential in counseling or rehabilitation. [Examples of other health care occupations may include but are not limited to Marriage and Family Therapists or Licensed Mental Health Counselors.] Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Ability to 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 about visual impairment. (b) Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions. (c) Ability to write a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes. (d) Knowledge of VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs. (e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers and other stakeholders. (f) Knowledge of psychological, rehabilitation, and counseling theories and principles. (g) Ability to coordinate with various resources to identify suitable training programs. GS-12 BRS (VIST Coordinator) - Full Performance Level - Experience AND Certification: Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. -AND- Certification. Certification requirements are the same as the GS-11 level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: (a) 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. (b) Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for therapeutic interventions. (c) Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines and contains observable, measurable goals that identify specific outcomes. (d) Knowledge of VA and non-VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs. (e) Skill in interpersonal relationships dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders. (f) Knowledge of psychological, rehabilitation, and counseling theories and principles. (g) Ability to coordinate with various resources to identify and refer Veterans to suitable training programs. (h) 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.

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 Malcom Randall Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center 1601 Southwest Archer Road Gainesville, FL 32608 US
• Name: Diana Dieringer
• Phone: 727-967-6873
• Email: [email protected]