This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/464492200. 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.
As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. 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
VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.
02/17/2017 to 03/06/2017
$61,706 - $96,153 per year
GS 00
1 vacancy in the following location:
Occasional travel - Travel to Guam, Kauai, Maui, Hawaii Island, American Samoa, patients homes and community providers is required
No
Permanent - Excepted Service Permanent
Full-time - Full Time
No
HO-17-DLA-1915644-BU
464492200
This position is located in the Specialty Care Service at the Spark M. Matsunaga VA Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS) provides direct blind and vision rehabilitation assessment and training to visually impaired veterans and referred service members. The position includes both direct patient care and administrative responsibilities. Major duties and responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to:
· Assess training needs, perform hands-on training, manage and provide follow-up for veterans and referred service members using the clinical resources of the VA Pacific Islands Health Care system.
· Responsible for blind and vision rehabilitation assessment, planning, training, and outcomes evaluation on each veteran for whom service is provided.
· Selects, interprets and adapts traditional strategies in order to meet veteran needs.
· Prioritizes rehabilitation training activities so as to maximize veterans served, consistent with quality care and safety.
· Makes use of a wide variety of complex training aids and devices.
· Functions as an independent provider of blind and vision rehabilitation services.
· Provides effective patient counseling in the adjustment to blindness as an integral component of the work.
Work Schedule: Monday Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm/some weekends
Functional Statement Title/#: Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS) Functional Statement
Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 15-44 pounds; light lifting, under 15 pounds; light carrying, under 15 pounds; reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; standing (4 hours); both legs required; ability to distinguish basic colors; ability to distinguish shades of colors; hearing (aid permitted); use of disinfecting wipes; use of hand sanitizer.
Basic Requirements:
U.S. citizenship. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
Education and Experience
The individual must have earned:
(a) A bachelorsdegree 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 masters 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
(c) A bachelors 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 in the core curriculum in orientation in orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy or low vision therapy from an accredited college or university. For individuals this education must have included supervised practice; and,
Completion of 1 year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the BRS, GS-9; 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 bachelors 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. If the applicant has or has ever had a licensure or certification revoked for cause, or voluntarily relinquished such license or certification after being notified in writing by the State of potential revocation for cause, the applicant is ineligible for appointment (38 U.S.C. 7402(f)). If all certifications are impaired, the individual is also ineligible for appointment in VA.
Preferred Experience: None.
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.
Grade Determinations:
GS-11 BROS (Entry level)
Certification. Candidates must meet the certification requirements in subparagraph 2c above (at least one certification from ACVREP).
Education and Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, the candidate must fully demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) below:
1. Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation.
2. Ability to properly assess a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions.
3. Ability to write a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes.
4. Knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles.
5. Ability to employ interventions, unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan.
6.
Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic
devices for patients within scope of practice, making adaptations and
modifications as required.
7. Ability to plan, direct, and distribute work assignments to volunteers, assistants and, interns and/or BRSs at lower grade levels and perform assigned mentoring duties for staff, students and interns.
Assignment of Staff BROS. Individuals in this assignment serve in a developmental capacity as the BROS at a medical center or an outpatient clinic and in patients homes and communities and are responsible for decision-making and for independent care under the direction of their supervisor and the Blind Rehabilitation National Consultant for their region. Individuals in this assignment serve as a member of a specialty care team. At the GS-11 level, BROS will receive training and oversight from the Blind Rehabilitation National Consultant for their region.
GS-12 BROS (Full Performance Level)
Certification. Candidates must meet the certification requirements in subparagraph 2c above. BROSs at the GS-12 level must achieve two ACVREP certifications to demonstrate full mastery in two areas of blind rehabilitation.
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 at the GS-11 level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following 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.
Assignments
Sole Practice BROS. 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 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, and vision rehabilitation therapy. 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 level, BROS practice independently, seeking support from the Blind Rehabilitation Service National Consultant for the region when necessary.
References: VA Handbook 5005/35, Part II, Appendix G42. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office.
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.
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 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-11 to GS-12. The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will recommend the grade and salary for new appointments. For internal selectees being promoted, the board will determine grade and HR will determine step in accordance with policy.
All applicants are required to submit the following supporting document type(s):
·Resume
·Transcript
Applicants may also submit the following supporting document type(s),which may not be required for all applicants:
Please use this checklistto 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, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional information.
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.
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. If you are unable to apply online or unable to upload your supporting documents to your online application, follow the directions located at the following site: Fax Options. The Vacancy ID of the job opportunity announcement is 1915644.
NOTE: If you applied online and your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203-FX) as this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being found ineligible.
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.
All applicants are encouraged to apply online.
To apply for this position, you must complete the View 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 Monday, March 06, 2017 to receive consideration.
1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.
NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.
To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJOBS account, https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login, select the Application Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process.
To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application will be incomplete.
After we receive your complete application package (including all required documents), your qualifications will be reviewed and assigned an initial rating.
We will also review your application to make sure that your résumé supports the answers given in the questionnaire. If your résumé does not support your questionnaire answers, we will adjust your rating accordingly. Based on your ranking or numerical score, you may be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. You will be notified when your rating is determined.
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/464492200. 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) 1915644