The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist- Certified Low Vision Therapist position located at the James A. Haley, VA Medical Center: AALVC program provides care and services to enhance the quality of life for individuals with vision loss. 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 written and spoken English. Education: The individual must have earned: ( Transcripts must be submitted) (a) 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 2 education, or technology and industrial arts education OR, (b) 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. (Must supply transcripts/evaluation) Certification. Required at the GS-11 grade level and above. (Must submit professional 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. 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®). (Preferred Certification) Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS®) Grade Determinations: BRS, 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. Certification. Certification is required at this grade level and above. Staff BRS candidates must meet the certification requirements in paragraph 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: 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 therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®). 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: Work is active and on occasions physical dependent upon the level of instructions that need to be given to the patients. It requires some light lifting less that 25lbs., such as walking, bending, and stooping. Work involves exposure to patients in an inpatient Medical Center. No special physical requirements need to be met. ["Functions of Assigned Duties: - Interpreting documentation prior to evaluation and training. - Interpreting assessments, medical, and other professional documentation on an on-going basis during the patient's rehabilitation program. - Interpreting policies and directives to veterans in blind rehabilitation. - Evaluating with other team members and ancillary staff (e.g., Optometry, computer/technology, etc.) the patient's cognitive abilities, visual functioning, memory, and motivation - Upon completion of the low vision assessment and Optometry assessment, the instructor will develop a training plan based on assessment results, patient goals, and patient needs. - Maintain cross training in order to provide instruction in the use of low vision and ADL aids. - Providing supportive instruction on the use of mobility aids such as canes and GPS systems. - Recommending/Referring to other BRS as needed for adaptive prosthetic devices to meet individual needs. - Maintain applicable VA Directives: including all Program Accreditation Preparation and Maintenance. - Working with local vendors for the delivery and setup of specific devices. - Documenting, in written form, the patient's progress, barriers to training and current treatment plan. - Becoming cross-trained with other specialties within the AALVC program for providing instruction in this area. - Attending and actively participating in staff/team meetings and serving as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team - Active Participant on all Accreditation Teams for ongoing survey readiness planning and development as Assigned by Supervisor - Writing required treatment plans, progress notes, and summaries for patient treatment - Maintaining BR 5 data as required by VA Blind Rehabilitation - Manage clinic utilization by scheduling and canceling appointments according to VA policies - Assisting in the research of new devices and techniques for low vision training - Presenting in-service, consultation, intra-VA details and community programs about visual impairment - Completing required hours for VA educational training - Maintaining certification in respective Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT) . - Over-seeing AALVC prosthetic stock: reorders, stocking, updated inventory list - Performing other duties as Otherwise assigned by Supervisor: to Include one or more of the other four skills that the incumbent holds and maintains qualifications to practice. Work Schedule: 7:30am-4pm, Monday-Friday Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 71198F 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.