Summary

The primary purpose of this position is to provide blind and vision rehabilitation services for Veterans and Servicemembers who are visually impaired. 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 and skill in applying concepts - principles - and practices of blind and vision rehabilitation.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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
• 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 (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-Submit if Applicable - 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
• NOTE: 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
• BRS who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows: Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS®)
• Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®)
• Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®)
• Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS®)
• 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)
• Grandfathering Provision - All BRSs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and certification(s) that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard - but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it - the following provisions apply: Such employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation
• Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed - on a temporary or permanent basis - until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard
• Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation - who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification(s) that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required equivalent credential(s) as a condition of employment in the occupation
• If a BRS who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation - the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation
• Physical Requirements
• See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service
• Grade Determinations Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (BRS) - 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 education and experience above the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of policies and procedures of the blind/vision rehabilitation service
• (b) Knowledge of administration and interpretation of assessments and evaluations in blind/vision rehabilitation
• (c) Ability to develop a basic written blind/vision rehabilitation plan from assessment results and develop more complex plans with consultation from supervisor
• (d) Skill in instructing [Veterans] and families in a meaningful rehabilitation program and applying blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic techniques
• (e) Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision prosthetic devices for Veterans within the scope of practice
• (f) 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
• Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (BRS) - GS-11 (Full Performance Level) 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
• BRSs at the GS-11 grade level must have at least one certification from ACVREP or a related - equivalent - professional certification
• 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
• Qualifications - Grade Determinations - BRS - GS-11 - KSAs are CONTINUED IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

Duties

• The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist adheres to the guiding principles of the Medical Center - policies - missions and philosophy of Blind Rehabilitation Service
• Helps to provide an atmosphere for patients - families - visitors and others that is productive in terms of morale - attitude - cooperation and reflects positively upon the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center
• A Blind Rehabilitation Specialist functions independently in a number of settings including hospitals - clinics - rehabilitation centers - long-term care facilities - educational institutions and home environments
• The work environment may be in an office - clinical setting - classroom - private home - VA grounds - nursing home - community sites - hospitals and/or virtually
• The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist provides direct patient care and support services to an adult population of patients which is characterized by a very significant number of older male patients
• Review of demographic data discloses that the average age of a WPB Blind Rehabilitation Center patient is 71 years with a distribution of 93% male and 7% female
• Within these broad categorizations - the employee must tailor supervision and patient care and support services to meet the needs of the individual patient
• This includes the responsibility for overseeing the assessment of each patient's needs and the delivery of services which are responsive to the concerns of individual patients to the extent possible
• This work involves evaluating and assessing needs - capabilities and limitations - goal setting and prescribing a treatment plan for individuals experiencing blindness/visual impairment caused by injury or disease
• The Specialist works as part of a team coordinating care for blind and visually impaired Veterans
• The Specialist may serve as team coordinator for one or more assigned Veterans during the Veteran's program
• As a team coordinator - the specialist is responsible for developing and coordinating the Veteran's Interdisciplinary Plan of Care with input from the Veteran and all team members
• The essential elements are the independent evaluation - treatment - and management of a 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
• The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist is responsible for ensuring that practice credentials and certifications for respective disciplines and skill areas are current
• NOTE: Blind Rehabilitation Specialists may provide care in an outpatient setting - inpatient setting or in a home as deemed appropriate for clinical care
• The BRS is also responsible for practicing their full scope - including: Adjustment Counseling Assessment Goal Development and Treatment Plan Therapeutic Instruction Coordinating Care Documenting Care The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist 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
• In providing direct services - they use diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and instrumentation to identify and resolve or minimize these problems
• Daily working relationships with supervisors - co-worker and others within the medical center are courteous - cooperative and professional - contributing to the efficient and effective operations of the unit - team and overall work environment
• The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist demonstrates flexibility/adaptability to adjust to change and/or workload in a pleasant manner - handles differences of opinion in a business like fashion - follows instructions conscientiously - assists and functions as a team worker
• The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist is responsible for using and maintaining technology (discipline specific) necessary to assist in the Veteran's rehabilitation needs and processes
• The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist determines the need for these devices based on type - nature and severity of the problem - and assessments - and instructs the Veteran in the proper use of the device along with its abilities and limitations
• Optical devices - prescribed by an eye care specialist - are incorporated into the Blind Rehabilitation Specialist's treatment plan
• The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist makes effective use of instructional time with Veterans and utilizes full teaching period as deemed appropriate
• The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist when absent - provides specific coverage information for Veterans assigned to assure continuity of care
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Telework: Not eligible for Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: PD40698F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized