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This position is organizationally located at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rehab Services Division, and Blind and Vision Rehabilitation Clinic.

Major Duties Listed but not Limited to:

• Evaluates and assesses 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
• Responsible for developing and coordinating the Veteran's Interdisciplinary Plan of Care (IPOC) with input from the Veteran, family and all team members
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Responsible for instructing Veterans with emerging technology including Adaptive Global Position Devices (GPS), Electronic Travel Aids (ETA's) and other orientation aids that become available
• May perform other duties as assigned
• Evaluates each Veteran's safety and confidence while traveling and navigating in a variety of environments, either visually or non-visually
• Evaluates the Veteran's ability to use residual vision for travel
• Provides instruction in the utilization of prosthetics devices, O&M techniques, and electronic travel aids when indicated
• Involves family in the intervention plan and provides family training as appropriate
• Assists in coverage for absent staff members to insure continuity and quality of care

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (Orientation and Mobility)
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 must have a valid Drivers License.
• 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.
• Specifically requires a Certificate in Orientation and Mobility (COMS) from ACVREP
• 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.
• Education Requirement: The individual must have earned:(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®).

• Grade Determinations:

• Minimum Requirement for Blind Rehabilitation Specialist, GS-11:

(1) Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade.

OR,

(2) 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.
(3) Certification. Certification is required at this grade level and above. Staff BRS 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.
(4) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to meeting the KSAs described below at the GS-9 grade level,
(1) Experience. Bachelor's degree and completion of one year of experience.

OR,

(2) 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.
(3) 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.

The candidate must also 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.
(g) Must have working knowledge of theories, principles, and practices of orientation and mobility for both low vision and functionally blind individuals
(h) Must have knowledge regarding the application of dog guides, electronic travel aides and current applications;
(I) Knowledge of procedures for prescribing and training on cane lengths and know the advantages and disadvantages of various canes

• 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

References: VA Handbook 5005/Part II G41

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Reaching above shoulder, Use of fingers, Both hands required, Walking (2 hours), Standing (2 hours), Ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously, Ability to distinguish shades of colors, Hearing (aid permitted)

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.