This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/464311200. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
OUR MISSION: To fulfill President Lincoln's promise "To care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" by serving and honoring the men and women who are America's Veterans.
For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, go to http://www.vacareers.va.gov/.
As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in the multiple functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership positions at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically advanced integrated health care system in the Nation, but we also provide many other services to Veterans through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries. VA professionals feel good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA offers generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling opportunities. For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, go to http://www.vacareers.va.gov/
Note: The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 12. The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidates education and experience and recommend the grade and step at which the candidate will be placed. The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate.
02/21/2017 to 03/10/2017
$72,168 - $93,821 per year
GS 12
1 vacancy in the following location:
Occasional travel - Travel within Service area
No
Permanent - Excepted Service Permanent
Full-time - Full Time
12
No
VHA-671-17-GC-1914376-BU
464311200
This position is located at the Audie L. Murphy Division (ALMD) and the VIST Coordinator plans, develops, implements, directs and evaluates the Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) program at the VHA sites within his or her catchment area. The VIST Coordinator has major responsibility for the coordination of all services for visually impaired Veterans and Service members and their families through the Visual Impairment Services Team. VIST Coordinators are responsible for:
· Developing a cache of educational materials, in a variety of media that can be utilized to help achieve VIST outreach goals and objectives
· Providing in-service educational classes for VA and non-VA agencies and personnel
· Seeking to improve others' awareness with regard to blindness issues
· Utilizing developed methodologies to identify Veterans who are eligible for VIST program services, to include identifying blind Veterans from VA medical center diagnosis codes entered in their electronic medical record.
· Educating VA medical center staff on the functional implications of vision loss and on blind rehabilitation matters.
· The coordination and overview of all of the Veteran's blind rehabilitation needs.
· Determining the intensity of services based upon clinical judgment and the Veteran's goals.
· Flagging VIST-eligible Veterans' patient records so that medical center staff who access patients' records electronically are alerted to the Veteran's visual status.
· Performing assessments to establish Veterans' needs as they relate to the continuum of vision and rehabilitation treatment services.
· Referring Veterans to the appropriate service component in the continuum of care for visually impaired Veterans.
· Developing focused treatment plans containing goals to meet the Veterans' needs.
· Providing follow-up for rehabilitation services that the Veteran has received.
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm. May be required to work nights and weekends based on mission needs.
Functional Statement Title: Blind Rehabilitation Specialist-Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST)
Physical Requirements:
The position is sedentary in nature. There is requirement for walking, standing, bending, stooping while filing, light lifting (up to 15 lbs), carrying objects such as files, invoices and other documents. Employee will sit comfortably to do the work. There is some physical strain/demand by having prolonged use of the computer or viewing the computer screen.
Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on the Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) and/or documentation related to your active duty service which shows dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or dates of impending separation.
Additionally, disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as widows or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application for 10 Point Veterans Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. For more information, please review the information for disabled Veterans in the application checklist or visit http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx.
2. BASIC REQUIREMENT
a. Citizenship: Citizen of the United States.
b. Education
(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, related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology and industrial arts education, or health care.
OR
(b) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (without a major field of study as outlined in above that included or was supplemented by at least one of the following:
1. 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).
2. One full year of directly related graduate level course work (typically at least 15-18 semester hours).
3. A certificate in the core curriculum in orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy or low vision therapy from an accredited college or university and a directly related practicum/internship in the occupation, either included in the degree or post-degree.
(2) 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.
c. Certification: Required at GS-11 and above
(1) 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, related professional credential in special education, rehabilitation or health care. If all certifications are impaired, the individual is ineligible for appointment in VA. NOTE: The ACVREP administers three certifications.
(2) Blind Rehabilitation Specialists (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 (formerly Rehabilitation Teaching) - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT).
(c) Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT).
(3) BRSs who are VIST Coordinators may be drawn from traditional blind/vision rehabilitation backgrounds, and also from counseling backgrounds such as social work, vocational rehabilitation counseling, etc. VIST Coordinators must be credentialed/certified through:
(a) Any certification via the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education (ACVREP), OR
(b) Individuals appointed on the basis of being licensed 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. If appointed as a VIST Coordinator, Social Workers are appointed to the GS-601 series, but must still maintain a full, valid and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment, OR
(c) Certification via the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, CRC), OR
(d) Individuals appointed on the basis of being licensed in another health care occupation must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice in their field. If appointed as a VIST Coordinator, such individual will be appointed to the GS-601 series, but must still maintain their full, valid and unrestricted independent license or certification in their occupation to remain qualified for employment. Examples of occupations may include but not limited to Occupational Therapists and Psychologists.
d. Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019.
e. English Language Proficiency. BRSs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
3. Grade Determinations. In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.
GS-12 (Full performance level for VIST Coordinators)
(a) Certification. BRS must meet the certification requirements in paragraph 2c(1) and (2) above. VIST Coordinators must meet the certification requirements in paragraph 2c(3) above.
(b) Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of 1 year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-11 level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the KSAs required for the specific assignment.
(c) Demonstrated KSAs
1. Ability to independently develop, plan, and administer complex treatment programs.
2. 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.
3. Ability to coordinate, motivate, and effectively manage staff and/or committee members to include organizing work, setting priorities, and delegating tasks and responsibilities.
4. Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as a consultant or mentor.
5. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers and other stakeholders.
6. Ability to identify team group dynamics, objectively observe, and modify behaviors.
7. 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.
VIST Coordinators. GS-12 is the full performance level for a VIST Coordinator. Individuals in this assignment will demonstrate mastery abilities in readjustment counseling, coordinating access to services, assuring adequate compensation and benefits, and must make complex negotiations with the medical and benefit systems as well as non-VA service delivery systems. VIST Coordinators convene and manage a local medical center Visual Impairment Services Team that meets regularly to influence and make recommendations regarding the best programs for Veterans who are visually impaired. VIST Coordinators at the full performance level manage a support group for blinded Veterans, publish a VIST newsletter and provide community presentations to professional and lay groups to publicize the program. They plan and execute programs to locate blinded Veterans previously unknown to Blind Rehabilitation Service through outreach in their medical centers, in the community and in other service delivery systems such as vocational rehabilitation, community services for the visually impaired, community eye care, etc. They work closely with the BRS national consultants and VA central office staff to continuously upgrade and improve their practice and programs.
References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G41, Blind Rehabilitation Specialist, dated July 22,2011 (also available in the local Human Resources Office) and OPM Group Coverage Qualification Standard for Professional and Scientific Positions at http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/standards/IORs/GS0600/0601.htm
PLEASE NOTE: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.) Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html. All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly. 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.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.
Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.
NOTE: The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and salary at which the candidate will be placed. For internal selectees eligible for promotion, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.
You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:
1. CV or Resume.
2. VA Form 10-2850c - Application for Associated Health Occupations (Available at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850c-fill.pdf) (required).
3. Occupational Questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire
4. If prior military service, include all copies of your DD Forms 214 or proof of service (required). Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased Veteran, must also complete and submit an SF 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (available at http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf).
5.SF-50, Notification of Personnel Action (if applying as a status candidate with current or former Federal service) (required).
6. COPY OF THE ACVREP CERTIFICATION
7. Copy of College transcripts
VA Form 10-2850c - Application for Associated Health Occupations (required). (Available at the VA Forms Website: http://www.va.gov/vaforms/search_action.asp?FormNo=10-2850&tkey=&Action=Search). Please use this checklist to make sure you have included other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), documentation to support Veterans Preference claims, etc. You will not be contacted for additional information.
Faxing Applications or Supporting Documents:
You are encouraged to apply online. Applying online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.
NOTE: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
If you completed the occupational questionnaire online and are unable to upload supporting document(s):
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
HOW TO APPLY: All applicants are encouraged to apply online.
To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaireView Occupational Questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below.
The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Friday, March 10, 2017 to receive consideration.
After we receive your complete application package (including any required documents), your qualifications will be reviewed to decide if you meet the basic requirements. You will be notified when this decision is made.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/464311200. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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Vacancy Identification Number (VIN) 1914376