The Blind Rehabilitation Chief has responsibility for administering all aspects of a VA inpatient or outpatient blind rehabilitation program of four or more Blind Rehabilitation Specialists, as well as other professionals and support staff. Responsibilities include directing and administering all aspects of blind and vision rehabilitation at 1A medical center.

Duties

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Balances program elements to meet veterans' needs for inpatient, outpatient and home care services. Reviews inpatient and outpatient workload, delegating assignments to staff to provide veteran-centered blind rehabilitation in a variety of settings. Demonstrates a great deal of autonomy in performing responsibilities that include, but are not limited to, assigning work to employees, monitoring workload and clinical volume, staffing, imposing disciplinary measures and monitoring clinical privileges. Demonstrates knowledge of contemporary blind and vision rehabilitation across multiple areas of practice, and the demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge to provide clinical guidance to staff Blind Rehabilitation Specialists within the department. Demonstrates knowledge of human resources administration, including such functions as the ability to interview and select qualified applicants, monitor and evaluate performance, and maintain effective labor management relations within scope of responsibility. Demonstrates the ability to analyze clinically appropriate data effectively to optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the section. Demonstrates the ability to set priorities, delegate tasks, and solve problems in order to meet multiple deadlines and identify/address organizational problems. Provides supervision of key clinical and training programs and assigned staff, including the overall technical oversight of the students whom they administratively supervise. Provides overall clinical supervision that assures the proper coordination and delivery of care within the blind rehabilitation section and the facility at large. Assists Supervisor in utilization review activities, quality improvement, and other administrative reporting. He/she actively follows the tenants of EEO. Assists and guides management in preparations for Joint Commission, CARF, and other accreditation programs or inspections. Communicates performance expectations. Ensures staff completion of orientation and training and maintains competencies for position. Oversees completion of yearly employee performance plans and evaluations based on performance plan. Ensures staff understanding of organizational direction and their part in achieving those goals and mission of VA. Provides feedback, mentoring and coaching as needed. Conducts performance reviews/proficiency ratings in a timely fashion. Provides recognition and/or rewards for high level performance. Addresses performance and conduct issues promptly as they occur. Handles issues with a consistent approach and documents as appropriate. Maintains current functional statements or position descriptions for a variety of disciplines. Monitors staff for compliance with clinical privileges, certifications and licenses. Demonstrates knowledge of federal purchasing regulations, use of Fund Control Points, budgeting, resource procurement and compliance in the use of government funds. Demonstrates knowledge of VHA business regulations including but not limited to scheduling rules, reimbursement process with VERA and DSS, etc. Ensures workload is properly credited. Assures all employees work in a safe, clean, infection-free environment and promotes these practices among program employees. Ensures employees have appropriate supplies, equipment and materials to perform their jobs well. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30AM-4:00PM Telework: Ad-Hoc, as determined by agency and department policy. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement. 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. 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 WITH CONFER DATE REQUIRED): (1) 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: i. 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). ii. One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15 18 semester hours). iii. 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. iv. 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 two active, current, full and unrestricted certifications 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 who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows: (a) Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS®). (b) Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®). (c) Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®). (d) Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS®). BRS Advanced Practitioners at the GS-13 grade level must possess two certifications awarded by ACVREP. Loss of Credential Once certified, a BRS must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent certification to remain qualified for employment. Loss of certification will result in removal from the BRS occupation and may result in termination of employment. A BRS who has, or has ever had his/her certification revoked, suspended, denied, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section B, Paragraph 16 of this part. If hired based on experience as a social worker, rehabilitation counselor, or equivalent, relevant professional counseling credential in rehabilitation, the VIST Coordinator must still maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment. 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: GS-13 Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (Chief) Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of experience as a BRS equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Certification: Candidates must meet the credentialing/certification requirements in paragraph 3c(1) and (2) above. VIST Coordinators must meet the certification requirements in 3c(3) above. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-12 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: (a) Ability to supervise, motivate, and manage effectively a diverse clinical staff applicable to a small Blind Rehabilitation Center or equivalent Program; (b) Skill in assessing qualifications and abilities of current and prospective employees; c) Knowledge] to apply administrative and human resources policies effectively; (d) Skill to] organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks and responsibilities, and manage and direct the work of others to accomplish program goals and missions; (e) Ability to adapt to new and changing work conditions, contingencies, and staffing; (f) Ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled service operations through technical direction, review, analyses and evaluation of program components including productivity, and ability to manage budgets; and (g) Ability to provide consultation and promote best practice procedures in blind/vision rehabilitation nationally; and serve as a national leader in the field of blind/vision rehabilitation. Preferred Experience: Experienced in Blind Rehab Instruction both in inpatient, blind rehab outpatient services and VIST. 1-3 years experience in Blind Rehab supervision. References: VHA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G41, Qualifications for Blind Rehabilitations Specialists The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: light lifting and carrying (under 15 lbs), emotional stability, working closely with others, ability to use a computer.

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 VA Puget Sound Health Care System 1660 South Columbian Way Seattle, WA 98108 US
• Name: Hector Jebulan
• Phone: (253) 582-8440 X75538
• Email: [email protected]