Clarification from the agency

Open to ALL US Citizens, including ALL Current Permanent Federal Employees, Current Permanent Department of Veterans Affairs (Agency - VHA, VBA, NCA) Employees; and Current Permanent VA Caribbean Healthcare System (Facility) Employees. Facility Employees will have FIRST consideration, followed by Agency Employees, Veterans and then US Citizens.

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The Admissions Coordinator for the Blind Rehabilitation Center has the primary responsibility of coordinating all SAJBRC admissions/discharges for visually impaired Veterans and active-duty service members. The incumbent is responsible for obtaining and coordinating a variety of administrative, technical, and managerial services necessary for the operation of BRS. Responsibilities encompass the entire scope of providing sound and timely advice, information, and assistance to the BRC Supervisors and Chief of BRS and professional health care staff.

The incumbent's primary duty is to manage the SAJBRC census by scheduling all admissions and discharges (including travel arrangements) for Veterans and active-duty service members. SAJBRC admissions include Regular, Computer Access Training, Dual Applications, and specialty programs.

Admission Coordinator duties include, but are not limited to: coordination, review, and management of all BRC inpatients applications and distance training applications; admissions; discharges; and waiting lists. Counsels and advises VIST regarding prospective applicants. Maintains good relations with all relevant stakeholders, including local, state, and regional agencies, and Veterans Service Organizations.

• The Incumbent arranges services for an adult population of patients which is characterized by a very significant number of older male patients as well as young OEF/OIF Veterans who may have wound and trauma related vision loss.
• The incumbent coordinate the clinical delivery of services by the multidisciplinary treatment team to patients in the adjustment to sight loss program, to schedule treatment programs of the individual Veterans while monitoring, maintaining, and developing policies and guidelines to achieve this end.
• The incumbent assists in promoting and maintaining an efficient administrative infrastructure for the delivery of patient care at the SAJBRC.
• The incumbent evaluates patient medical records with input from Medicine, Nursing, Optometry, Psychology, and other services as needed to determine which Veterans will be admitted to the SAJBRC.
• The incumbent is a point of contact for the VA facilities in the 7 states that refer to the SAJBRC and coordinates pre-admission and post-discharge sharing of the information.
• The incumbent serves as the SAJBRC primary liaison with the VIST Coordinators from referring VA Medical Centers for comprehensive blind rehabilitation services.
• The incumbent assists in ensuring that rehabilitation care and support services are tailored to meet the individualized needs of the Veteran.
• The incumbent establishes a process to maintain records as required for accreditation, regulatory agencies, and risk management, facilitating ease of timely access to records.
• The incumbent follows established program policies and procedures, rules, and regulations, related to fire, disaster, security measures, computer security, and universal fluid precautions.
• The incumbent is required to refine and develop more specific guidelines by developing and refining local Health Care System Memoranda for the Service, Standard Operating Procedures, and Standard Work Statements for the measurement and improvement of effectiveness and productivity in the administration of operating the Service.
• Promotes telehealth services including but not limited to Clinical Video Telehealth (CVT) and VA Video Connect (VVC) through partnership within all service areas in BRS.
• Develops strong relationships with Veterans, families, professional organizations, and other stakeholders within the public.
• Participate in/supports CARF Accreditation practices and is current in CARF standards as they apply to rehabilitation and the application of assistive technology practices.
• May provide direct patient care to Veterans as deemed appropriate and necessary by the BRC Chief and/or designated supervisor.
• Other duties as required.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm
Telework: Available - Per Agency policy and Service Approval on an Ad-hoc Basis.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 61576F
EDRP Authorized: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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:

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 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.

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.

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 below:.

BRS who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows:

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

Grade Determinations GS-12: Blind REHAB SPEC (Admission Coordinator)

Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of experience as a BRS equivalent at the GS-11 grade level.

Certification. must meet the credentialing/certification requirements.

While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge's Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAOs), you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the (below) competencies which are necessary to perform the work of the position. Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training; otherwise, we will not be able to award you credit for the experience/education/training you claim. These are the KSA's for this subject position:

• Ability to plan, coordinate, and manage applications, admissions and discharges, and ensure provision of the appropriate clinical care for Veterans in an inpatient BRC.
• Ability to ensure that cooperative partnerships exist among Veterans, Service members and their families, VHA rehabilitation providers, community providers, and other stakeholders, to support a comprehensive blind rehabilitation program structure.
• Ability to develop, maintain, analyze, and present statistical and programmatic data and information related to BRC operations.
• Knowledge of budgetary and financial management processes, including VERA reimbursement, catastrophic disability, and beneficiary travel policies.
• Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, when authorized, which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed, competency assessments, performance evaluations, hiring decisions, and recommendations for awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.

References: VA Handbook 5005/109,Part II, Appendix-G41.

Physical Requirements: The work requires extreme patience and controlling of emotions. The work may require using appropriate techniques to physically restrain patients who present a danger to self or others. The work may also require assisting physically disabled veterans. Day-to-day work involves sitting, walking, standing and carrying light objects, such as medical records. Work is typically performed in a clinical setting that exposes the incumbent to the communicable disease common of the homeless population. Much of the work is performed in a setting away from the office, where the environment cannot be controlled.

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.