This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific individual eligibility requirements in accordance with VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000) and eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after complete review of the EDRP application.

Duties

If you are not a current, permanent VA employee, please apply to announcement CBST-12542355-24-LS. The major duties of the Blind Rehabilitation Specialist - VIST Coordinator include, but are not limited to: Develop a strong VIS Team program by providing effective leadership and high visibility at the VA facility. Conduct VIS Team meetings. Develop written policies/procedures/documentation for VIST program to meet Joint Commission standards. Provide in-service educational training for VA and non-VA agencies and personnel. Utilize developed methodologies to identify Veterans who may be eligible for VIST program services, to include identifying blind Veterans from VA medical center encounters and diagnostic codes entered in electronic medical records. Perform assessments to establish Veterans' needs as they relate to the continuum of vision treatment services. Refer Veterans to the appropriate service component in the continuum of care for visually impaired Veterans. Develop focused treatment plans containing goals to meet the Veterans' needs. Collaborate closely with Blind Rehabilitation/clinical staff for coordination of care. Complete required patient record documentation that is meaningful, accurate, timely and concise. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. Subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Telework: May be negotiable on an as needed basis. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 01097-F, 01098-F, 01099-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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, 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. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates 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 basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates: 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. GS-11 (Developmental Level) 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. Certification: VIST Coordinator candidates must meet the certification requirements in paragraph 3c(3) above. 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:(a) Certification via the ACVREP;(b) Licensure via the Social Worker Licensure Board;(c) Certification via the CRCC;OR(d) 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 (KSAs): In addition to meeting the KSA's described at the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSA's: 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. Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions. Ability to write a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes. Knowledge of VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs. Skill in interpersonal relationships in 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 suitable training programs. GS-12 requirements continued in Education Section: References: VA Handbook 5005/109, Part II, Appendix G41. March 13, 2019. Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Qualification Standard Preferred Experience: Prior experience as a Blind Rehabilitation Specialist. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position. May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing. May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as a condition of employment. Work Environment: Work is performed in an office/clinic setting with minimal risks that requires normal safety precautions; the area is adequately lighted, heated, and ventilated. However, the work environment requires someone with the ability to handle several tasks at once in sometimes stressful situations.

Education

Continued from Qualifications Section:

GS-12 Grade Level (Full Performance Level)
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 and 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.

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

Contacts

• Address GV Sonny Montgomery VAMC 1500 East Woodrow Wilson Drive Jackson, MS 39216 US
• Name: Lindsay Storm
• Phone: (319) 509-6873
• Email: [email protected]