Summary

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.

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
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates who are not proficient in written and spoken English will not be appointed to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA under the authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74
• See Chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• Education and Experience: 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 - [or a closely] related program in rehabilitation - special education - family and consumer science education - technology - and industrial arts education
• OR - A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation - [or a closely] related program in rehabilitation - special education - family and consumer science education - technology - and industrial arts education
• OR - A bachelor's [or master's] degree from an accredited college or university (without a major field of study as outlined in (1)(a) and (b) above) and obtained 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
• This education must have included supervised practice
• and Completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the BRS - GS-11 grade level
• OR - Three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a doctoral degree in blind rehabilitation or a directly related field
• 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 all levels
• Applicants must possess at least one active - current - full - and unrestricted certification to be eligible for appointment
• An applicant who has - or ever had his/her certification suspended - restricted - limited - or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 3 - Section B - Paragraph 16 of this part
• An applicant who has or has ever had a certification revoked or terminated for cause - or voluntarily relinquished such certification after being notified in writing by the State of potential revocation or termination for cause - is ineligible for employment and must be removed from the GS-0601 series
• This applies even if the applicant possesses one or more valid certifications or registration (38 U.S.C. § 7402(f))
• NOTE: The Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) administers [four (4)] certification programs: Low Vision Therapy - Orientation - and Mobility - [Certified Assistive Technology Instructions Specialist] and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
• They may then use the designation for the certification they hold (as listed in subparagraph (2)) below: BROS who provide the following services must obtain and maintain two certifications at the GS-12 grade level 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 Specialist (CATIS®)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS) - GS-12 (Full Performance Level): GS-12 Experience: Candidates must possess one year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level is required
• Certification
• Candidates must meet the certification requirements in subparagraph 3c above
• BROS at the GS-12 grade level must achieve two ACVREP certifications to demonstrate full mastery in two areas of blind rehabilitation
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to meeting the KSAs at the GS-11 grade level - the candidate must fully demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Skill to independently develop - plan - and administer complex treatment programs
• (b) Ability to act as a subject matter expert in the blind/vision rehabilitation field - and as consultant - supervisor - and/or mentor in evaluating and treating patients in specialty or program areas
• (c) Ability to coordinate - motivate - and effectively manage staff and/or committee members to include organizing work - setting priorities - and delegating tasks and responsibilities
• (d) Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as a consultant or mentor
• (e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients - employees - other team leaders - managers - and other stakeholders
• (f) Ability to identify team group dynamics - objectively observe - and modify behaviors
• (g) 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
• Assignment
• Individuals in this assignment may serve as the only BROS at a medical center - or an outpatient clinic - or in patients' homes and communities - and are responsible for independent decision-making and independent care
• Individuals in this assignment may serve as a member of - or as [a] consultant to a specialty care team - such as the Polytrauma System of Care
• BROS will demonstrate mastery abilities in two of the blind/vision rehabilitation specialty areas: orientation and mobility - low vision therapy - vision rehabilitation therapy - and assistive technology for blind and visually impaired individuals
• BROS will also demonstrate advanced skill in the practice of the other content specialties in blind rehabilitation - e.g. - computer training and manual skills
• At the GS-12 grade level - BROS practice independently - seeking support from the Blind Rehabilitation Service National Consultant for the region when necessary
• Preferred Experience: Prior experience as a Blind Rehabilitation - Outpatient Specialist as well as meeting all specifications
• References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/110 May 14 - 2019 Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ The full performance level of this vacancy is 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 conditions of employment.

Duties

• Current permanent VA employees and Federal employees from other federal agencies should apply under CBST-12606100-24-LS
• The Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist identifies - assesses - trains - manages - and provides follow-up for Veterans using clinical resources of the facility
• Is a member of the Blind Rehabilitation Service - the interdisciplinary Visual Impairment Services Team - and interacts with Rehabilitation Medicine - Audiology - Social Work - Prosthetic and Sensory Aids - and other Services and agencies of the VA and the community - including polytrauma team at polytrauma centers and sites
• This is an open continuous announcement
• Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis and qualified candidates will be considered as vacancies become available
• The primary purpose of the position is to manage and provide direct blind and vision rehabilitation training services to visually impaired Veterans and Servicemembers
• The duties of the Blind Rehabilitation - Outpatient Specialist include but are not limited to: Provide direct patient care and support services to an adult population of patients which is characterized by a very significant number of older male patients as well as young OEF/OIF Veterans who may have wound and trauma related vision loss
• Identify beneficiaries who have blind rehabilitation training potential by working in concert with the VIST coordinator - eye clinic staff - and other facility resources
• Use objective and subjective assessment tools and methods requiring broadly based advanced knowledge in low vision orientation and mobility - living skills teaching - manual skills and other associated disciplines
• Develop an individualized rehabilitation-training plan for each Veteran with rehabilitation potential
• The BROS functions as an independent provider of blind rehabilitation training services and document assessment - rehabilitation training progress - consults - referrals and recommendations in the Veteran's medical records
• Work Schedule: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm - Monday - Friday - subject to change based on the needs of the facility
• Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 00893-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required