Career Center

Summary

The Blind Rehabilitation Service is seeking multiple full-time Blind Rehabilitation Specialists at the VA Medical Center in Birmingham - Alabama.

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 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
• 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 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
• 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 as listed below: 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®)
• 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)
• 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 - such employees may be reassigned - promoted up to and including the full performance (journey) level - or changed to lower grade within the occupation
• Grade Determinations: GS-09 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
• 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.] GS-11 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
• Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-9 grade level - the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation
• (b) Ability to properly assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions
• (c) Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable - measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes
• (d) Skill in instructional methods and learning principles
• (e) Ability to employ interventions and unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan
• (f) Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for Veterans within scope of practice - making adaptations and modifications as required
• Assignments
• In addition to providing services to Veterans described at the GS-9 grade level - individuals at this level have duties that typically include the following: serving as a consultant to blind/low vision rehabilitation and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating Veterans in the specialty area
• serving as a mentor to other therapists who are evaluating and treating Veterans in the content specialty or program area
• serving as internship supervisor to students who are completing their supervised practice
• and providing in-service and clinical training programs in the content specialty or program area
• Preferred Experience: ACVREP (Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation) Reference: FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: PART II APPENDIX G41
• For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• 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-09 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: The position is basically sedentary involving little physical effort - though lifting and carrying of light items may be required
• Incumbent must be able to hear conversational voice and read handwritten or typewritten characters with or without glasses.

Duties

• The primary purpose of this position is to provide blind and vision rehabilitation services for visually impaired Veterans and Service members
• The duties may include but are not limited to the following: Reviews and interprets pertinent patient documentation and records - pre-admission Evaluate and assess needs - capabilities and limitations - goal setting and prescribing a treatment plan for individuals experiencing blindness/visual impairment caused by injury or disease Possess professional knowledge of - and skill in applying concepts - principles - and practices of blind vision rehabilitation to include assessment - treatment follow up Assesses the patient's background - interests - future plans - motivation - needs - and aptitude
• evaluates the patient's functional visual capabilities - determines appropriate instructional techniques - implements training plans - and continues to reassess patient's needs and goal attainment throughout the rehabilitation process Develops a treatment plan in conjunction with an interdisciplinary team to improve the quality of life for blind and visually impaired Veterans through the development of skills and capabilities needed for personal independence - emotional stability and the successful integration into community - family and environment
• Documents - in accordance with established recording standards and procedures - all services performed on behalf of the patient: on-going progress - issues as they occur - steps towards issue resolution - and current treatment plan Attends general staff meetings - actively participating in all team meetings and preparing a treatment plan - progress notes and summaries for inclusion in the final summary as required by the center's policy and procedures Utilizes and provides instruction on technology necessary to assist in the Veteran's rehabilitation needs and processes
• Maintains awareness of new technological developments in the field through research and education
• Serves as a mentor for clinical trainees within specific disciplines
• Serves in the role of Team Coordinator - functions as the primary advocate for the Veteran - communicating feelings and concerns to other members of the interdisciplinary team - an information resource - a support for the duration of admission
• Works with family members and/or significant others to educate and counsel about the ramifications of visual impairment
• Family members are taught to recognize and change behaviors and behavior patterns that impede blind and vision rehabilitation progress and how to cope with the psychological and social problems and their own individual stress Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: FS 521-68 - FS-521-242 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized