The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (BRS) - Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) Coordinator plans, develops, implements, directs, and evaluates the Visual Impairment Service (VIS) program at the VHA Loma Linda, CA and includes all sites within their catchment area. The VIST Coordinator has major responsibility for the coordination of all services for visually impaired Veterans and Service members and their families through the Visual Impairment Services Team.

Duties

Duties include, but may not be limited to the following: Develops a cache of educational materials, in a variety of media that can be utilized to help achieve VIST outreach goals and objectives. Provides in-service educational classes for VA and non-VA agencies and personnel. Seeks to improve others' awareness with regard to blindness issues. Develops methodologies to identify Veterans who are eligible for VIST program services, to include identifying blind Veterans from the VA medical center diagnosis codes entered in their electronic medical record. Educates VA medical center staff on the functional implications of vision loss and on blind rehabilitation matters. Determines the intensity of services based upon clinical judgement and the Veteran's goals. Flags VISIT-eligible Veterans' patient records so that medical center staff who access patients' records electronically alerts Veteran's visual status. Assesses, treats, plans and follow up treatment for visually impaired Veterans. Performs assessments to establish Veterans' needs s they relate to continuum of vision and rehabilitation treatment services. Refers Veterans to the appropriate service component in the continuum of care for visually impaired Veterans. Develops focused treatment plans containing goals to meet the Veterans' needs. Provides follow-up for rehabilitation services that the Veteran has received. Develops, implements and oversee special programs for visually impaired Veterans such as the local provision of computer equipment and training. Maintains effective communication with all of the BRS field elements to maximize Veterans' blind and vision rehabilitation outcomes. Recommends issuance of prosthetic equipment for blind and visually impaired Veterans in accordance with VHA policies. Leads a support group for Veterans and Servicemembers with visual impairment and their families or may partner with another entity to provide such support. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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: Applicants must have earned: 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 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: 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. 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 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. 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). Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to GS-11 grade level. Certification. VIST Coordinators must meet the certification requirements listed above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the KSA's described at the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSA's: 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. Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for therapeutic interventions. Skill in writing a blind vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines and contains observable measurable goals that identify specific outcomes. Knowledge of VA /non VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs. Skill in interpersonal relationships dealing with patients employees other team leaders managers and other stakeholders. Knowledge of psychological rehabilitation and counseling theories and principles. Ability to coordinate with various resources to identify and refer Veterans to suitable training programs. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G41 Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Qualification Standard

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Jerry L Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital 11201 Benton Street Loma Linda, CA 92357 US
• Name: Erin Youngman
• Phone: (480) 492-0605
• Email: [email protected]