Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees, current permanent Federal employees of other agencies and U.S. Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

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Major duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to:

• Operating within medical center and Blind Rehabilitation Service program policies, the Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) Coordinator is responsible for planning, developing, implementing, directing, evaluating, and controlling the VIST program at this medical center.
• Major responsibility for the coordination of all services to visually impaired Veterans and their families, has full professional responsibility for visually impaired and blinded Veterans' cases that are difficult and complex both in terms of severity of the visual impairment and the presence of complicating physical and emotional factors, which impinge on the treatment process.
• Develops screening and procedural mechanisms, which will identify this target population within the medical center's catchment area and maintains appropriate linkages with the medical center and the community in support of program goals and objectives.
• Operates as an experienced professional, with full responsibility for the technical accuracy of patient evaluations and the soundness of recommendations.
• Provides assistance to the medical and allied health staff with the acquisition and replacement of low vision and sensory aids to assist in the blinded Veteran's rehabilitation and/or daily living needs.
• Provides professional counseling to minimize fear of the rehabilitation process, and of the disability in general, and to explain what treatment measures are possible, either corrective or rehabilitative.
• Ensures that a system is developed whereby eligible veterans are scheduled and seen for a comprehensive, periodic review of medical, social and rehabilitative needs.
• Responsible for orientation of medical center staff to the VIST program and for development of informational materials and training programs that will assist staff, veterans, and families to make better use of the program.
• Provides therapeutic counseling to blinded Veterans and their families concerning rehabilitation problems related to blindness or severe visual impairment and enlists family support for the rehabilitation process.
• Develops and administers a formal, systematic plan for reviewing and appraising the effectiveness of each phase of the VIS program in accordance with VACO and local facility policies and procedures.
• Maintains familiarity with overall VA policies, programs and range of benefits potentially available to eligible veterans and their families; similarly maintaining an awareness of changing community resources.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 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

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

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: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d).
• Education: 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.
  • (2) Blind Rehabilitation Specialists (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®).

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 Determination BRS (VIST Coordinator) GS-12:

1. Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade.
2. Certification: VIST Coordinator candidates must meet the certification requirements as listed above.
3. Demonstrate Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

• (a) Skill to effectively communicate both orally and in writing with staff at all organizational levels, with Veterans and their family members, with community groups, and individuals with varying degrees of understanding.
• (b) Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for therapeutic interventions.
• (c) Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines and contains observable, measurable goals that identify specific outcomes.
• (d) Knowledge of VA and non-VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs.
• (e) Skill in interpersonal relationships dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders.
• (f) Knowledge of psychological, rehabilitation, and counseling theories and principles.
• (g) Ability to coordinate with various resources to identify and refer Veterans to suitable training programs.
• (h) Ability to apply decision-making principles to adjust programs on a day-to-day basis, to develop short term and long-range goals, and to plan for future utilization of resources.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is 12.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring exertion such as standing or walking; frequent bending, reaching, stooping to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patient's equipment and pushing or pulling heavy objects. The work may require special physical characteristics and abilities such as above average dexterity to perform intricate procedures. The work requires the ability to cope with a variety and complexity of situations due to the diversity of patients, duties and responsibilities. The work requires patience and controlling of emotions when providing rehabilitation. The work environment may be in an office, clinical setting, computer classroom, VA grounds, and hospitals. Typically, the employee sits comfortably to do the work, however, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items, such as papers and books. Travel involves the normal risks and discomforts of automobile, bus, rail, or air transportation.

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.