Blind Rehab Specialist (Living Skills)

Summary

This position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), a student loan payment reimbursement program. You must meet specific eligibility requirements per VHA policy and submit your EDRP application within four months of appointment. Program Approval, award amount (up to $200,000)& eligibility period (one to five years) are determined by the VHA Education Loan Repayment Services program office after review of the EDRP application. Former EDRP participants ineligible to apply.

Duties

• Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Duties of the Blind Rehabilitation Specialist include, but are not limited to: Evaluate and assess needs, capabilities and limitations, goal setting and prescribing a treatment plan for individuals experiencing blindness/visual impairment caused by injury or disease. Coordinates care for blind and visually impaired Veterans. When functioning as a team coordinator, the specialist is responsible for developing and coordinating the Veteran's Interdisciplinary Plan of Care (IPOC) with input from the Veteran, family, and all teammembers. Study visual and non-visual barriers and related procedures that result in activity limitations, participation restrictions, loss of vocationaland avocational opportunities, and psychological distress. Use diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and instrumentation to identify and resolve or minimize these problems. Develops a treatment plan in conjunction with an interdisciplinary team to improve the quality of life for blind and visually impairedVeterans 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'srehabilitation 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. Determines need for these devices based on type, nature and severity of the problem, and assessments, andinstructs the Veteran in the proper use of the device along with its abilities and limitations. Optical devices, prescribed by an eye care specialist, are incorporated into the Blind Rehabilitation Specialist's treatment plan. Work with family members and/or significant others to educate and counsel about the ramifications of visual impairment. Maintain awareness of new technological developments in the field through research and education. Serve as a subject matter expert for other medical and allied health staff by providing counselingto healthcare providers and professionals on the nature of blindness/visual impairmentand Blind and Vision Rehabilitation. Participates in quality assurance programs and accreditation preparations. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:30-4:00 Subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: FS-01698F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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 must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). Education: :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. Certification. Required at the GS-11 grade level and above. Persons hired or reassigned to Blind Rehab Specialist must possess at least one active, current, full and unrestricted. 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. BRS who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows: Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS®) Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®). Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®). 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 Determinations: GS-9: 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. Certification. No certification is required at this level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting experience/education, the candidate must demonstrate all the following 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…

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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.