Clarification from the agency

This vacancy is open to all US citizens.

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Major duties include but are not limited to:

1.Assessment and development of personal goal-based training programs for persons with visual impairment who are young adult to elderly Veterans.
2.Implementation of the Living Skills training program to help Veterans achieve their goals.
3.Assesses patient's ability to utilize adaptive equipment such as tactile markings on appliances, liquid level indicators, bump dots, Braille, and talking meat thermometers.
4.Assesses the patient to determine the ability to feel, hear, and smell, to help control environments specific to identified goals.
5.Assesses the patient to determine the money management system that will best meet identified goals.
6.Assesses the patient to determine the recording method that will best meet identified goals.
7.Assesses the patient to determine adaptive kitchen aids that will best meet identified goals.
8.Ability to use, instruct, and appropriately prescribe prosthetic equipment issued to patients within this discipline. The incumbent will need a comprehensive knowledge and ability to instruct patients with a wide variety of assistive technology.
9.Plans and instructs the patient on tactile, large print, and talking devices. Incumbent will need a working knowledge and ability to utilize recording devices, labeling techniques, Braille, and bar code readers.
10.Plans and instructs the patient on the use of appropriate lighting, protective techniques, and other safety tips to optimize the use of adaptive devices in all tasks of daily activities.
11.Plans and instructs the patient on the use of safety techniques and habits, maintenance and cleanliness when utilizing all issued prosthetic devices.
12.Plans and instructs the patient on the use of all aspects of kitchen safety and outdoor grilling to include organization, operation, set-up and cleaning.
13.Must have knowledge of materials and machines needed to fabricate new teaching and training instruments, which may include the design and fabrication of tools and equipment for patients with special needs based on individual disabilities. The incumbent will need a working knowledge of blind rehabilitation methodology and compensatory techniques.
14.Plans and instructs the patient's family member or caregiver, if prescribed, during the Family Training Program, on the use of adaptive aids and techniques to include the purpose and relevance to the patient's functionality and goals established.
15.Performing the duties of Patient Coordinator, when assigned, for the rehabilitation team; coordinating the overall blind rehabilitation experiences for a successful completion, interpreting all VA & WBRC policies and directives to the patient. Incumbent will need to be able to recognize psychological, motivational, emotional, and social correlates of vision loss to the development of the individual and refer to appropriate personnel as needed.
16.The incumbent documents, in accordance with established recording standards and procedures, all services performed on behalf of the patient: on-going progress, issues as they occur, steps towards issue resolution, and current treatment plan. The incumbent will need to have a working knowledge of the types of visual impairments with respect to fields and acuities and their implications for the patient's functioning, contrast sensitivity function, and color perception.
17.The incumbent attends general staff meetings, actively participating in all team meetings and preparing a treatment plan, progress notes and, summaries for inclusion in the final summary as required by the center's policy and procedures.
18.The incumbent assists in the research and evaluation of new devices and techniques for inclusion into the team curriculum and helping to evaluate prosthetic devices relevant to activities of daily living.
19.The incumbent adheres to the WBRC Safety Protocols with respect to proper maintenance of equipment
20.The incumbent performs research task commensurate with skills as well as submit required statistical information and data in accordance with established WBRC statistical reporting procedures. Performing other duties as assigned; these include but are not limited to membership on WBRC committees, process action teams, service programs, research projects, and clinical initiatives.

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 0730-1600
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
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.
• 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.
• 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.
  • (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. [ ] 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:
  • (2) 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®).
• 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.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations:

Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (BRS) GS 09 Entry 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 this 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 in their resume:(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.

Blind Rehabilitation Specialist, GS-11 (NOTE: Full performance level for BRS who are not VIST Coordinators.)
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.

References: VA Handbook 5005 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: The position is basically sedentary involving little physical effort, though lifting and carrying of light items may be required. Incumbent must be able to hear conversational voice and read handwritten or typewritten characters with or without glasses.

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, resume, 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.