The primary purpose of this position is to provide blind and vision rehabilitation services for visually impaired Veterans and service members. Blind Rehabilitation includes the disciplines of low vision therapy, orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, manual skills instruction and computer access instruction. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist possesses professional knowledge of, and skill in applying concepts, principles, and practices of blind and vision rehabilitation.

Duties

Duties include, but are not limited to: Provides direct patient care and support services as a Blind Rehabilitation Specialist for an adult population clientele, which is characterized by a very significant number of older male patients. Tailor patient care and support services to meet the individual patient's needs. Assess each patient's needs and deliver services responsive to individual patient's concerns to the extent possible. Evaluating and assessing needs, capabilities, limitations, goal setting, and prescribing a treatment plan for individuals experiencing blindness/visual impairment caused by injury or disease. Serve as a team coordinator for one or more assigned veterans during the Veteran's program. Responsible for developing and coordinating the Veteran's Interdisciplinary Plan of Care with input from the Veteran and all team members. Evaluates, treats, and manages 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. 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. Use diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and instrumentation to identify and resolve or minimize these problems. Assess the difficulties confronting the Veteran and the barriers to treatment and then develop and provide interventions designed to enhance the blind and vision rehabilitation process. Develops a treatment plan with an interdisciplinary team to improve the quality of life for blind and visually impaired Veterans by developing skills and capabilities needed for personal independence, emotional stability, and successful integration into the community, family, and environment. Maintains the technology necessary to assist veterans' rehabilitation needs and processes, such as electronic travel aids, computer-assisted technology, speech output and input devices, large print devices, and Braille devices. Determines the need for these devices based on the type, nature, and severity of the problem and assessments and instructs the Veteran in properly using the device along with its abilities and limitations. Optical devices prescribed by an eye care provider are incorporated into the Blind Rehabilitation Specialist's training plan. Works with family members and/or significant others to educate and counsel about the ramifications of visual impairment. Maintains awareness of new technological developments through research and education. May serve as a subject matter expert for other medical and allied health staff by counseling healthcare providers and professionals on the nature of blindness/visual impairment and blind and vision rehabilitation. Responsible for providing Veterans' treatment programs coverage without their regularly assigned Blind Rehabilitation Specialists. Requires knowledge of VHA laws and VA Medical Center guidance regarding documentation, privacy, and Patient Safety Goals to ensure successful accreditation by the Joint Commission and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. work schedule, but work schedule may be adjusted to meet the needs of the service. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. Education. The individual 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 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. 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: BRS who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows: Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS®). Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®) Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®) Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS®) 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. Preferred Experience/Qualifications: 1. Familiarity with Rehabilitation Programs 2. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: 3. Patient Education and Counseling. 4. Assistive Technology Competence: 5. Sensitivity and Empathy: 6. Knowledge of VA Healthcare System. Grade Determinations: GS-9 Blind Rehabilitation Specialist 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. GS-11 Blind Rehabilitation Specialist 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. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G41 - Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Qualification Standard. 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. Physical Requirements: Work may require, moderate lifting (15-44 lbs), light lifting (under 15 lbs), light carrying, reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, both hands required, standing (4 hours), both legs required, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing aid permitted, hand hygiene. Environmental factors are working alone, dust, and working closely with others.

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 Long Beach VA Medical Center 5901 East Seventh Street Long Beach, CA 90822 US
• Name: Mary Almonte
• Email: [email protected]