The VA Northeast Ohio Healthcare System is recruiting for a Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist. The Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist will function in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. 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: The individual must meet at least one of the requirements below: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, [or a closely] related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology, and industrial arts education OR A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (without a major field of study, 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: Applicants must possess 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. NOTE: The Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) administers [four (4)] certification programs: Low Vision Therapy, Orientation, and Mobility, [Certified Assistive Technology Instructions Specialist] and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. 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 Specialist (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-12. 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, and demonstrate all of 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. 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-to-day basis, develop short term and long-range goals, and plan for future utilization of resources. Skill in developing, planning, and administering complex treatment programs. Preferred Experience: Supervisory experience is preferred. 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-12. Physical Requirements: The work requires the ability to cope with a variety and complexity of situations due to the diversity of patients, staff, duties and responsibilities. The work environment may be in an office, clinical setting, VA grounds and community. The work requires regular and recurring exertion such as standing, ascending and descending stairs, or walking for up to two continuous hours; frequent bending; reaching above the shoulder; medium lifting and carrying (up to 40 pounds), pushing or pulling objects. The work requires pushing veterans in wheelchairs on a regular basis. ["The Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist duties include, but are not limited to: Supervise a staff of employees to accomplish the work of the organizational unit. Assign and review work, setting short-term and long-term priorities and delegating tasks and responsibilities. Communicate priorities to staff for understanding and compliance with completion. Communicate and enforce policies and procedures. Establish guidelines and performance expectations for staff, which are clearly communicated through the employee performance management system. Develop/maintain lesson plans, curriculum and manuals as needed for skill areas. Ensure staff members appropriately develop and coordinate the Veteran's Individualized Treatment Plan with input from the Veteran and team members. Provide counsel and develop work improvement plans when appropriate, recommending personnel actions if necessary. Identify and oversee orientation and training needs for new and experienced staff and trainees. Schedule treatment team and departmental meetings for sharing of information and problem solving. Continuously work toward policy development/implementation and staff compliance to meet Joint Commission, CARF and other applicable accreditation program standards. Develop and write BRC policy, guidelines and procedures as directed by the BRC Chief. Monitor compliance of staff for clinical privileges and ACVREP (Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals) certifications. Develop a variety of tools such as brochures, power point presentations and educational materials for program needs and outreach. Deliver presentations for patient, staff and community functions. Organize and evaluate the intern program, assuring compliance with university requirements. Research and evaluate new devices and training techniques in the field of Blind Rehabilitation. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 7:00am-3:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 93174-0 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.
