Clarification from the agency

The area of consideration will be referred in the following order: 1. Veterans 2. The Public - US Citizens.

Videos

Functions/Scope of Assigned Duties:

• 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 VA Puget Sound Health Care System American Lake Blind Rehabilitation patient is 76 years with a distribution of 95% male and 5% female. Within these broad categorizations, the employee must tailor patient care and support services to meet the needs of the individual patient. This includes the responsibility for assessment of each patient's needs and the delivery of services which are responsive to the concerns of individual patients to the extent possible.
• 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. Works as part of a team coordinating care for blind and visually impaired Veterans. As a team coordinator, the specialist is responsible for developing and coordinating the Veteran's Interdisciplinary Plan of Care with input from the Veteran, family 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.
• Study 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.
• Some Veterans manifest only blindness/visual impairment as their disabling condition. Others have multiple medical problems, mental health issues and cognitive deficits in addition to blindness/visual impairment. Must assess 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. Develop a close rapport with assigned Veterans. When assigned the role of Team Coordinator, the Blind Rehabilitation Specialist becomes the primary advocate for the veteran, communicating feelings and concerns to other members of the rehabilitation team.
• 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.
• The Manual Skills Specialist is responsible for instructing Veterans who are blind and visually impaired to effectively use their remaining senses, along with the utilization of protective techniques and assistive devices to gain their highest level of sensory awareness and personal independence. After evaluation, an individualized treatment plan is developed based on the person's goals, assessed needs and interests. Activities are designed to challenge the participant to use problem-solving skills and to introduce adapted tools, equipment, techniques and safety procedures for those who are visually impaired. Projects such as leatherwork, copper tooling, gardening, woodworking, home mechanics and other modalities are used to increase independence and confidence in achieving personal goals. The Veteran may also improve or regain the ability to perform tasks engaged in before sight loss, and gain the confidence and skills to become involved in new activities.
• 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 and how to cope with the psychological and social problems and their own individual stress.
• Maintains awareness of new technological developments in the field through research and education. The incumbent may serve as a subject matter expert for other medical and allied health staff by providing counseling to healthcare providers and professionals on the nature of blindness/visual impairment and Blind and Vision Rehabilitation.
• The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist is expected to obtain and maintain certification in the appropriate discipline of blind/vision rehabilitation.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 0730-1600
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 0000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Qualifications

To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements within 30 days of the closing date of this announcement.

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) 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:
    • 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 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 (as listed in subparagraph (2)) 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®).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates. This criteria is consistent with the two grade interval structure for professional/scientific professions found in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G17.

GS-9: BRS (Entry Level)
Certification: No certification is required at this 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
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.

GS-11: BRS (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. Staff BRS candidates must meet the certification requirements in paragraph 3c(1) 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: 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.

Preferred Experience:
1.Training or Experience specific to Manual Skills discipline of Blind Rehabilitation is preferred (e.g., use of power tools, tool safety and adaptions for vision loss, ability to recommend and teach a variety of project media bases on assessment findings)
2. Population specific competencies: Demonstrates/describes the ability to tailor cate to the cognitive, physical and psychosocial status of visually-impaired Veterans, most of whom are elderly (average age of 76)

References: VA Handbook 5005/109 PART II APPENDIX G41

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-9 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 pounds); light Carrying (under 15 pounds); use of fingers; emotional stability

Environmental Factors: Working closely with others

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.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.