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The BRS Low Vision Therapist provides direct patient care and support services to an adult population largely made up of older patients as well as OEF/OIF/OEF Veterans who have wound and trauma (i.e., polytrauma) including associated vision loss. Demographic data discloses that the average age of Salisbury catchment area patient is 60.8 years with a distribution of 93.5% male and 6.5% female. The BRS will evaluate and assess needs, capabilities, and limitation, in order to set goals and develop an interdisciplinary Team disciplines, prescribing a treatment plan for individuals experiencing blindness/visual impairment caused by injury or disease.
The specialist works as a team member to deliver coordinated care for blind and visually impaired veterans. The specialist is responsible for developing and coordinating the veteran's Interdisciplinary Plan of Care (IPOC) with from the Veteran and all team members from multiple disciplines including low vision optometry and other specialists within blind rehabilitation.
The BRS Low Vision Therapist also identifies and assesses visual and non-visual barriers and related processes that result in activity limitations, participation restrictions, loss of vocational and avocational opportunities, and psychological distress. Providing direct services, they work within the care Team to use diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and instrumentation to identify and resolve or minimize these problems.
The BRS must identify the difficulties confronting the Veteran and the barriers to treatment and then develop and provide intervention designed to enhance the blind and vision rehabilitation process. The Blind Rehabilitation Low Vision Therapist develops a close rapport with assigned veterans and when assigned the role of Team Coordinator, the BRS Low Vision Therapist becomes the primary advocate for the veteran, communicating feelings and concerns to other members of the rehabilitation team. Additional duties of the Blind Rehabilitation Therapist include but are not limited to:

1. Developing a treatment plan in conjunction with an interdisciplinary team to improve qualify of life for blind and visually impaired Veterans
2. Developing skills and capabilities needed for personal independence, emotional stability and successful integration into the community, family and environment.
3. Using and maintaining knowledge of technology (discipline specific) necessary to assist in the veteran's rehabilitation needs and processes.
4. Determines the need for devices based on type, nature and severity of the problem, and assessments, and instructs the Veteran in proper use of devise.
5. Works with family members and/or significant others to educate and counsel about the ramifications of visual impairment.
6. Maintains awareness of new technological developments in the field through research and education.

The Blind and Low Vision Rehabilitation Specialist will obtain and maintain certification in the appropriate discipline of blind/vision rehabilitation and performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday - Thursday, 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Friday - 7:30 am - 4:00 pm and one off tour Friday.
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job
• Designated and/or random drug testing may be required
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
• You may be required to serve a probationary period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

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: (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, closely related program in rehabilitation, special education for the visually impaired, family and consumer science education, or technology and industrial arts education . OR,
(b) 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:
(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, closely related professional credential in special education or rehabilitation.

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)

Examples of other occupations may include but are not limited to Occupational Therapy or Social Work.

Grade Determinations:
BRS GS-11 ( Full Performance Level)
Specialized Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to GS-09 grade level. Experience for this position includes but not limited to basic written blind/vision rehabilitation plans from assessment results and develop more complex plans; recommend appropriate blind/vision prosthetic devices for Veteran with the scope of practice; serve as a team coordinator for assigned Veterans during their rehabilitation programs.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs at the GS-09 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

• Understanding a highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic testing and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation.
• Properly assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for bling/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions.
• Writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes.
• Skill in instructional methods and learning principles
• Employ interventions and unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan.
• Recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for Veterans within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required.

Assignment: 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.

References: VA Handbook 5005-109, Part II, Appendix G41, Blind Rehabilitation Specialist, GS-0601-Veterans Health Administration.
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: While performing the duties of this job, the incumbent is frequently required to stand, walk, bend, climb stairs, push, lift light materials, and reach with hands and arms. The incumbent must have good manual dexterity and keyboarding skills. The incumbent must demonstrate emotional stability. The incumbent must be able to communicate efficiently by expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Vision must be correctable to 20/40. The incumbent must be able to work in an environment with constant noise, work closely with others, and work alone. In addition, the incumbent must be able to utilize, view, and read information on computer screens; operate a pager; and operate the required phone equipment. The individual must be able to operate a motor vehicle.

How you will be evaluated

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, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.


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.