Blind Rehab Specialist
The primary purpose of this position is to provide supervision and subject matter expertise for provision of blind and vision rehabilitation services for visually impaired Veterans and Service Members. Blind Rehabilitation includes the disciplines of low vision therapy, orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, manual skills instruction, and computer access technology. The Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist possesses professional knowledge of and skill in applying concepts, principles, and practices of blind and vision rehabilitation to include assessment, treatment, and follow-up for the purpose of overseeing the work of Blind Rehabilitation Specialists who are GS-9 to GS-11 level. The major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Establishing guidelines and performance expectations for staff, and tailoring supervision, patient care, and support services to meet the needs of the individual patient. Managing the daily/weekly staff teaching schedule and patient assignments for his/her direct reports. Scheduling, planning, and coordinating the orientation and training programs for new employees and clinical trainees under his/her supervision. Maintaining the program guidelines, lesson plans, and manuals which serve as the method of prescriptive training to be used by other instructors working with patient. Conducting periodic evaluation of instructional plans developed by instructors for Veterans assigned to them for training, thus insuring consistency in curriculum, teaching methodology, and quality of instruction. Developing and coordinating research programs as a subject matter expert (SME) in blind rehabilitation, and developing and implementing new therapy approaches. RECRUITMENT/RELOCATION INCENTIVE NOT AUTHORIZED Work Schedule:
Monday-Friday, 7:
30AM-4:
00PM Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. Education:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field ofstudy 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. English:
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. 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. They may then use the designation for the certification they hold . 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-Supervisory BRS, GS-12
Experience:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Certification:
BRS must meet the certification requirements above. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
Ability to plan, direct, mentor, and distribute work assignments to volunteers, assistants, interns, and/or Blind Rehabilitation Specialists at lower grade levels. Ability to act as a subject matter expert in the blind/vision rehabilitation field and as consultant, supervisor and/or mentor in evaluating and treating Veterans in specialty or program areas. Ability to coordinate, motivate, and effectively manage staff and/or committee members to include organizing work, setting priorities, and delegating tasks and responsibilities. Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as a consultant or mentor. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with Veterans, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders. Ability to identify team group dynamics, objectively observe, and modify behaviors. Ability to apply decision-making principles to adjust programs on a day-today basis, develop short term and long-range goals, and plan for future utilization of resources. Skill in developing, planning, and administering complex treatment programs. Assignment:
The employee assigned to this position is located within an inpatient Blind Rehabilitation Center (BRC) and functions in a supervisory position for BRS professional staff at the GS-9 and GS-11 grade levels and who are not VIST Coordinators or Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialists. This employee serves as a subject matter expert, assuring that a complete range of skills are available for a diverse Veteran population at affiliated blind rehabilitation inpatient centers or outpatient clinics. At this level, the blind or vision rehabilitation program typically includes a variety of specialties, an extensive educational program, and data collection and review as well as research activities. Additional activities include the evaluation of new products and equipment and making recommendations concerning upgrades/new purchases that would improve operations. Other supervisory responsibilities include informing higher-level management of anticipated staffing variances and recommending promotions, reassignments, or other personnel actions such as retention or release of probationary employees as well as recommending recognition of superior performance when applicable. References:
VA Handbook 5005/109 dated March 13,2019 PART II Appendix G41 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements:
Work may require, moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), light lifting (under 15 lbs), light carrying, reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, both hands required, standing ( 4 hours), both legs required, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing aid permitted, hand hygiene. Environmental factors are working alone, dust, and working closely with others.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Establishing guidelines and performance expectations for staff, and tailoring supervision, patient care, and support services to meet the needs of the individual patient. Managing the daily/weekly staff teaching schedule and patient assignments for his/her direct reports. Scheduling, planning, and coordinating the orientation and training programs for new employees and clinical trainees under his/her supervision. Maintaining the program guidelines, lesson plans, and manuals which serve as the method of prescriptive training to be used by other instructors working with patient. Conducting periodic evaluation of instructional plans developed by instructors for Veterans assigned to them for training, thus insuring consistency in curriculum, teaching methodology, and quality of instruction. Developing and coordinating research programs as a subject matter expert (SME) in blind rehabilitation, and developing and implementing new therapy approaches. RECRUITMENT/RELOCATION INCENTIVE NOT AUTHORIZED Work Schedule:
Monday-Friday, 7:
30AM-4:
00PM Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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. Education:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field ofstudy 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. English:
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. 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. They may then use the designation for the certification they hold . 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-Supervisory BRS, GS-12
Experience:
In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level. Certification:
BRS must meet the certification requirements above. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
Ability to plan, direct, mentor, and distribute work assignments to volunteers, assistants, interns, and/or Blind Rehabilitation Specialists at lower grade levels. Ability to act as a subject matter expert in the blind/vision rehabilitation field and as consultant, supervisor and/or mentor in evaluating and treating Veterans in specialty or program areas. Ability to coordinate, motivate, and effectively manage staff and/or committee members to include organizing work, setting priorities, and delegating tasks and responsibilities. Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as a consultant or mentor. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with Veterans, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders. Ability to identify team group dynamics, objectively observe, and modify behaviors. Ability to apply decision-making principles to adjust programs on a day-today basis, develop short term and long-range goals, and plan for future utilization of resources. Skill in developing, planning, and administering complex treatment programs. Assignment:
The employee assigned to this position is located within an inpatient Blind Rehabilitation Center (BRC) and functions in a supervisory position for BRS professional staff at the GS-9 and GS-11 grade levels and who are not VIST Coordinators or Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialists. This employee serves as a subject matter expert, assuring that a complete range of skills are available for a diverse Veteran population at affiliated blind rehabilitation inpatient centers or outpatient clinics. At this level, the blind or vision rehabilitation program typically includes a variety of specialties, an extensive educational program, and data collection and review as well as research activities. Additional activities include the evaluation of new products and equipment and making recommendations concerning upgrades/new purchases that would improve operations. Other supervisory responsibilities include informing higher-level management of anticipated staffing variances and recommending promotions, reassignments, or other personnel actions such as retention or release of probationary employees as well as recommending recognition of superior performance when applicable. References:
VA Handbook 5005/109 dated March 13,2019 PART II Appendix G41 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements:
Work may require, moderate lifting (15-44 pounds), light lifting (under 15 lbs), light carrying, reaching above shoulders, use of fingers, both hands required, standing ( 4 hours), both legs required, ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing aid permitted, hand hygiene. Environmental factors are working alone, dust, and working closely with others.
- Department:
0601 General Health Science - Salary Range:
$104,815 to $136,266 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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