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Blind Rehabilitation Specialist

Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Health Administration
Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System
This job announcement has closed

Summary

This position is in the Gulf Coast Blind Rehabilitation Center which provides training and instruction in blind and vision rehabilitation services for visually impaired Veterans and Service Members. The purpose for blind rehabilitation is to enhance the quality of life for individuals with vision loss through participation in a comprehensive and individualized rehabilitation program, so they may successfully reintegrate back into their community and family environments.

Overview

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Job canceled
Open & closing dates
05/20/2022 to 06/10/2022
Salary
$66,214 to - $86,074 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Location
Biloxi, MS
1 vacancy
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
Not required
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Excepted
Promotion potential
None
Job family (Series)
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Other
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Announcement number
CBST-11496388-22-TB
Control number
655644300

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

US Citizens

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Duties

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** If you are a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply to Job announcement CBST-11496387-22-TB **.Duties

  • Ensures that program assessments and delivery of services are responsive to the concerns of the individual Veterans to the extent possible;
  • Assesses needs, capabilities and limitations, goal setting and prescribing a treatment plan for individuals experiencing blindness/visual impairment caused by injury or disease;
  • Maintains close communication with all members of the interdisciplinary staff, including optometry, psychology, social work, recreation, and nursing to ensure the needs and goals of the Veteran are being met;
  • Utilizes diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and instrumentation to identify and resolve or minimize barriers that result in activity limitations, participation restrictions, loss of vocational and avocational opportunities, and psychological distress;
  • Identify 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;
  • Develops a treatment plan in conjunction with an interdisciplinary team to improve the quality of life for blind and visually impaired Veterans through the development of skills and capabilities needed for personal independence, emotional stability and the successful integration into community, family and environment;
  • Responsible for using and maintaining technological equipment (discipline specific) necessary to assist in the Veteran's rehabilitation needs and processes such as electronic travel aids, computer assisted technology, closed circuit television, speech output and input devices, large print devices and Braille devices;
  • Maintains awareness of new technological developments in the filed through research and education;
  • May serve as a subject matter expert for the other medical and allied health staff by providing counseling to health care providers and professionals on the nature of blindness/visual impairment and Blind and Vision Rehabilitation
  • Works with interns providing mentorship and allowing shadowing opportunities;
  • Participates in the family training program to promote the continued personal development of the Veteran after returning to the home environment.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday (7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.)
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 520-00132-FS
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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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

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.
  • 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.
Grade Determinations:
BRS, 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 stated 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.

Preferred Experience: A candidate is preferred who has the Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT) certification and experience teaching the iPhone and iPad.

References: VA Handbook 5005/109, Part II, Appendix G41 Dated March 13, 2019

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

Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting, 45 pounds or more; light lifting, under 15 pounds, moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; use of fingers; both hands required; walking, 2 hours; standing, 5 hours; kneeling, .5 hours; repeated bending, .5 hours; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; emotional and mental stability; pass physical to drive Veteran, if a driver.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need to fax a document you do not have in electronic form, view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.

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, résumé, 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.

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.

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