Clarification from the agency

NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below. This announcement is only open to current, permanent, employees of the VA New Jersey Health Care System. To apply to the public announcement, please go to: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/868272800

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This position works in both an inpatient and outpatient setting at the Lyons Medical Center as well as the East Orange and Toms River Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). This position does require occasional transport of Veterans in the community and other locations as needed and home visits.

Duties to include, but are not limited to:

• Assessing the patient's background, interests, future plans, motivation, needs and capabilities for low vision therapy
• Working with team members to develop a training plan based on low vision therapy assessment results, patient goals and needs
• Evaluating (with other team members) the veteran's mental ability, tactual perception, memory, spelling, study habits, as well as adaptive technology capacity
• Using effective interviewing techniques to obtain information pertaining to the veteran's low vision adjustment, deficits, interests and aptitudes in assessment of specific skill areas
• Using tools to evaluate functional vision under the supervision of optometrist/ophthalmologist to assess visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, visual-motor functioning and literacy skills in reading and writing
• Evaluation of optical/non-optical/electronic devices for enhancing residual vision at near, intermediate and far distances
• Evaluation and training of veterans in the use of illumination, glare control and contrast techniques to optimize the use of optical devices, in all tasks of daily living
• Evaluation of appropriate devices prescribed by the eye care professional
• Providing training on specific visual motor skills, which include the identification and use of a preferred retinal locus for fixation and accurate eye movements
• Providing training in the use of adaptive equipment that enhances visual function and/or compensates for loss of vision. This may include use of large print, reading stands, lighting management, writing aids, software and electronic devices
• Evaluating each veteran's safety habits and self-confidence while performing tasks related to low vision therapy
• Providing consultation and vision rehabilitation instruction to VA staff, family members, etc., as appropriate
• Counseling veterans regarding the advantages and limitations of various low vision therapy techniques and adaptive devices, as well as the veteran's potential and progress
• Recommending, training and ordering prosthetic devices to meet individual needs
• Evaluating the veteran's ability to utilize residual vision for computer access
• Presenting in-services and consultations about low vision therapy and blind rehabilitation
• Documenting the patient's treatment plan, progress and barriers to training
• Attending and actively participating in staff/team meetings and serving as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team
• Maintaining 5.0 data, as directed by VA Blind Rehabilitation
• Assisting in the research of new devices and techniques for inclusion into the Blind Rehabilitation program
• Keeping abreast of current literature, teaching strategies and technological advances in Low Vision Therapy
• Completing required hours for VA educational training
• Performing other duties, as assigned

Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday-Friday 8 AM - 4:30PM
Telework: Available on an Ad-Hoc basis in accordance with agency policies.
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
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.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• 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. 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.
• 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 (1)(a) 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.

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) - Low Vision Therapy, 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 the position.

-AND-

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (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 their rehabilitation programs

Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (BRS) - Low Vision Therapy, GS-11 (Full Performance Level)

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.

-AND-

Certification - Certification is required at this grade level and above. BRSs at the GS-11 grade level must have at least one certification from ACVREP or a related, equivalent, professional certification in Low Vision Therapy.

-AND-

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) - The candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

• Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation.
• Ability to properly assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions.
• Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes.

• Skill in instructional methods and learning principles.
• Ability to employ interventions and unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan.
• Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for Veterans within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required.

Preferred Experience:

• Low Vision Therapist Certification.
• Experience providing patient care in Low Vision therapy.
• Ability to guide patients in adapting to vision loss and to interact with other Eye Care providers.
• Working knowledge of technology devices to improve functional vision.

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

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

Physical Requirements: See 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, 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.