The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist adheres to the guiding principles of the Medical Center, policies, missions and philosophy of Blind Rehabilitation Service. Helps to provide an atmosphere for patients, families, visitors and others that is productive in terms of morale, attitude, cooperation and reflects positively upon the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center.

Duties

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until March 5, 2024. The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applicants will be December 19, 2023, with subsequent cut-off dates on the 15th of each month. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as needed basis until the positions are filled. Duties Include: The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist provides direct patient care and support services to an adult population of patients which is characterized by a very significant number of older male patients. Responsibility for overseeing the assessment of each patient's needs and the delivery of services which are responsive to the concerns of individual patients to the extent possible. This work involves evaluating and assessing needs, capabilities and limitations, goal setting and prescribing a treatment plan for individuals experiencing blindness/visual impairment caused by injury or disease. The Specialist works as part of a team coordinating care for blind and visually impaired Veterans. The Specialist may serve as team coordinator for one or more assigned Veterans during the Veteran's program. Evaluation, treatment, and management of a blind and vision rehabilitation program of instruction that teaches Veterans with visual impairments to utilize adaptive skills and techniques necessary to cope with the demands of everyday life. These needs constitute significant physical, emotional, and social disabilities. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist studies visual and non-visual barriers and related processes that result in activity limitations, participation restrictions, loss of vocational and avocational opportunities, and psychological distress. In providing direct services, they use diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and instrumentation to identify and resolve or minimize these problems. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist must identify the difficulties confronting the Veteran and the barriers to treatment and then develop and provide intervention designed to enhance the blind and vision rehabilitation process. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist develops a close rapport with assigned Veterans. When assigned the role of Team Coordinator, the Blind Rehabilitation Specialist becomes the primary advocate for the Veteran, communicating feelings and concerns to other members of the rehabilitation team. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist demonstrates flexibility/adaptability to adjust to change and/or workload in a pleasant manner, handles differences of opinion in a business like fashion, follows instructions conscientiously, assists and functions as a team worker. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist is responsible for using and maintaining technology (discipline specific) necessary to assist in the Veteran's rehabilitation needs and processes. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist also works with family members and/or significant others to educate and counsel about the ramifications of visual impairment. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist is expected to obtain and maintain certification in the appropriate discipline of blind/vision rehabilitation. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist is responsible for using and maintaining technological equipment (discipline specific) necessary to assist in the Veteran's rehabilitation needs and processes such as Electronic travel aids, computer assisted technology, closed circuit television, speech output and input devices, large print devices and Braille devices. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist determines the need for these devices based on type, nature and severity of the problem, and assessments, and instructs the Veteran in the proper use of the device along with its abilities and limitations. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30am to 4pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS40316F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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.) 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. Education (Transcripts supplied) -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: 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-(Submit)- 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. 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 can be found in VA Handbook 5005/1009 Part II, Appendix G-41 dated March 13, 2019. Grade Determinations: BRS-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. Assignment. 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.] BRS, GS-11 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. 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. Assignment. 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. Preferred Experience: Candidates must possess one unrestricted active ACVREP Certificate References: VA Handbook 5005/109, Part II, Appendix G41 The full performance level of this vacancy is 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: It requires reaching overhead, reaching at or below the shoulder, pushing, pulling, some light lifting less than 25lbs. Walking, bending, sitting and stooping. The employee works with inpatients and occasionally with outpatients in a medical center setting.

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 West Palm Beach VA Medical Center 7305 North Military Trail West Palm Beach, FL 33410 US
• Name: Samantha Portuondo
• Phone: (727) 398-6661
• Email: [email protected]