Clarification from the agency

1st Area of Consideration: Career transition (CTAP, ICTAP, RPL) 2nd Area of Consideration: The Public

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The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist 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 the VA Greater Los Angeles patient is 63 years with a distribution of 90% male and 10% female. Within these broad categorizations, the employee must tailor patient care and support services to meet the needs of the individual patient.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Assesses each patient's needs and the delivers services in response to the patients concerns
• Evaluates and assesses needs, capabilities and limitations, sets goals and prescribes a treatment plan
• Evaluates, treats, and manages 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
• Studies visual and non-visual barriers and related processes that result in activity limitations, participation restrictions, loss of vocational and avocational opportunities, and psychological distress
• Develops treatment plans to improve the quality of life through the development of skills and capabilities needed for personal independence, emotional stability and the successful integration into community, family and environment
• Uses and maintains technology necessary to assist in rehabilitation needs and processes i.e. electronic travel aids, computer assisted technology, speech output and input devices, large print devices and Braille devices
• Determines the need for devices based on type, nature and severity of the problem, and assessments
• Instructs on the proper use, abilities, and limitations of devices
• Works with family members and/or significant others to educate and counsel about the ramifications of visual impairment
• Maintains awareness of new technological developments in the field through research and education
• Trains the use of visual perceptual and visual motor skills in relation to overall perceptual and motor skills and coordination and use of specific visual perceptual skills such as visual closure, part to whole relationships, figure-ground, etc
• Providing evaluation and instruction in the use of Low Vision devices to include near, intermediate, and distance devices and their practical applications according to individual needs
• Serves as a subject matter expert for other medical and allied health staff by providing counseling to healthcare providers and professionals on the nature of visual impairment and blind and vision rehabilitation
• Serves as a mentor for clinical trainees within the specific disciplines

Work Schedule: Monday thru Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 00000
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

BASIC REQUIREMENTS for Blind Rehabilitation Specialists (BRS):Citizenship. Citizen of the United States.

Education.
The individual 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 in 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: BRS, GS-9

• 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.
• Certification. No certification is required at this level.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs).
• 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 the rehabilitation programs.

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.
• 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:
  • Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS®).
  • Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®)
  • Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®)
  • Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS®)

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-11 Blind Rehabilitation Specialist:
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 mentioned in the certification section above.

• Blind Rehabilitation Specialists (Low Vision Therapist) at the GS-11 grade level must have a certification granted by ACVREP as follows: Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists CLVT®
• Candidates with another ACVREP Certification will be expected to complete the CLVT® internship and practicum hours on-site to obtain the CLVT® certification within a year of starting.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

1. Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation.
2. Ability to properly assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions.
3. Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes.
4. Skill in instructional methods and learning principles.
5. Ability to employ interventions and 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 Veterans within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required.

Assignments: In addition to providing services to Veterans described at the GS-9 grade level, individuals at this level have duties that typically include the following: 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, Part II, Appendix G41 - Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Qualification Standard.
Physical Requirements: Pre-employment physical will be conducted in accordance with VA Handbook 5019.

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.