Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to the public. VA employees should apply to the internal announcement (SF50 required).

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The LVT provides direct patient care and support services to an adult population of patients of visually impaired veterans. The employee must tailor patient care and support services to meet the needs of the individual patient. The LVT is responsible for assessing of each patient's needs, developing an individualized treatment plan and providing the full range of rehabilitation training within the scope of a certified low vision therapist.
This work involves 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. The LVT works as part of the VISP team coordinating care for blind and visually impaired veterans. The LVT may serve as team coordinator for one or more assigned veterans during the veteran's program. As a team coordinator, the specialist is responsible for developing and coordinating the veteran's Interdisciplinary Plan of Care with input from the Veteran and all team members.

The essential elements are the independent evaluation, treatment, and management of visually impaired veterans teaching the utilization of adaptive skills and techniques necessary to cope with the demands of everyday life. These needs constitute significant physical, emotional, and social disabilities.

The Low Vision Therapist completes a functional low vision evaluation that identifies visual impairments related to:

• Performance of developmentally appropriate activities of daily living including dressing appropriately, personal health care and grooming, safe movement, care of orthotic, prosthetic, and other health care devices.
• Performance of instrumental activities of daily living including care of self and family, effective literacy and communication, health management, home management, meal preparation, safety awareness training, and shopping.
• Performance of educational pursuits including life-long learning.
• Performance of vocational pursuits including job, retirement, and volunteerism.
• Performance of leisure and social activities.
• Access and participation in community programs/events.
• Coping ability of the person with low vision.
• Impact of the vision disability on significant others.

The Low Vision Therapist uses functional vision evaluation instruments to assess visual acuity, visual fields, contrast sensitivity function, color vision, stereopsis, visual perceptual and visual motor functioning, literacy skills in reading and writing, etc. as they relate to vision impairment and disability. The CLVT also evaluates work history, educational performance, ADL and IADL performance, use of technology, quality of life and aspects of psychosocial and cognitive function. The Low Vision Therapist works closely with the eye care specialist (ophthalmologist and/or optometrist) to evaluate the use of optical and/or electronic devices for enhancing the use of vision for daily tasks that are goals for rehabilitation. The Low Vision Therapist assists in the evaluation of appropriate devices and recommends devices that are reviewed and prescribed by the eye care specialist.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): 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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• 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

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

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: Blind Rehab Specialists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G41.
• Certification: 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.
  • Blind Rehab Specialists who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows: Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®).
  • NOTE: GS-09 applicants do not need to meet the certification requirement, but employment will be temporary pending certification.
• Education: You must have earned 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:
  • 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.

Grade Determinations:

At the GS-09 grade, you must meet one of the following:

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.

AND

Certification:No certification is required at this level.

AND

In addition to the education and experience above the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

• Knowledge of policies and procedures of the blind/vision rehabilitation service.
• Knowledge of administration and interpretation of assessments and evaluations in blind/vision rehabilitation.
• Ability to develop a basic written blind/vision rehabilitation plan from assessment results and develop more complex plans with consultation from supervisor.
• Skill in instructing Veterans and families in a meaningful rehabilitation program and applying blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic techniques.
• Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision prosthetic devices for Veterans within the scope of practice.
• Ability to serve as team coordinator for assigned Veterans during their rehabilitation programs.

At the GS-11 grade, you must meet one of the following:

Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade. NOTE: Your resume must outline your progressively complex experience as related to a Blind Rehab Low Vision Therapist.

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.

AND

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. For this position, you must have obtained certification in Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®).

AND

In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

• Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation.
• Ability to properly assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions.
• Skill in 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.
• Ability to employ interventions and unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan.
• Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for Veterans within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required.

Preferred Experience: At least 1 year providing low vision therapy full time. ACVREP certification as C.L.V.T. preferred.

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G41, Blind Rehabilitation Specialist.

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 work requires regular and recurring exertion such as standing or walking for a short period of time; frequent bending; reaching above the shoulder; stooping to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; moderate lifting and carrying (up to 40 pounds), pushing, or pulling objects. The work requires the ability to read typewritten material and cope with a variety of complex situations due to the diversity of patients, duties and responsibilities.

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.