Summary

This position is located at the Brooklyn VA Medical Center (Kings County - NY). The position is within the Optometry Department location within the Department of Surgery. The primary purpose of this position is to provide 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 instruction.

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:

• Citizenship
• Be a citizen of the United States
• (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3 - section A - paragraph 3.g. - of this part.) 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
• See Chapter 2 - section D - paragraph 5a - this part
• Education (1) The individual must have earned: (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 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: i
• 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)
• ii
• One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15 -18 semester hours)
• iii
• 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
• iv
• 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
• (1) 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
• The ACVREP administers three certification programs: Low Vision Therapy - Orientation and Mobility - and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
• Low Vision Therapists Must BE Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®)
• Grandfathering Provision
• All BRSs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title - series and grade held - including positive education and certification(s) that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation
• GRADE DETERMINATIONS
• In addition to the basic requirements - the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates
• BRS - GS-11 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
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• In addition to meeting the following KSAs as described at the GS-9 grade level: 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 as team coordinator for assigned Veterans during their rehabilitation programs
• The candidate must also demonstrate all the following KSAs for the GS-11 grade level: 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
• Is expected to obtain and maintain certification in the appropriate discipline of blind/vision rehabilitation
• The work environment may be in an office - clinical setting - classroom - private home - VA grounds - nursing home - community sites - and hospitals Individuals assigned as GS-11 Blind Rehabilitation Specialist are considered to be at the full performance level
• References: VA Handbook 5005/109 PART II APPENDIX G41 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-11
• Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service.

Duties

• Low Vision Therapists are responsible for: - Assessing the patient's background - interests - future plans - motivation - needs - and capabilities for low vision therapy - Working with team members to develop a training plan based on low vision therapy assessment results - patient goals and needs
• - Evaluating (with other team members and ancillary staff as needed) the veteran's mental ability - tactual perception - memory - spelling - study habits - as well as adaptive technology capacity
• - Uses effective interviewing techniques to obtain objective and factual information pertaining to the veteran's low vision adjustment - deficits - interests and aptitudes in assessment of specific skill areas - Completes a functional low vision evaluation that identifies the impact of visual impairments on activities of daily living - orientation and mobility - vocational/avocational activities and personal adjustments
• Use of functional vision evaluation tools under the supervision of the optometrist/ophthalmologist to assess visual acuity - contrast sensitivity function - visual perceptual and visual motor functioning and literacy skills in reading and writing
• - Evaluation of optical/ nonoptical/ electronic devices for enhancing residual vision at near - intermediate and far distances
• - Evaluation and training of veterans in the use of illumination - glare control and contrast techniques to optimize the use of optical devices - in all tasks of daily living
• - Evaluation of appropriate devices prescribed by the eye care professional
• - Provides training on specific visual motor skills - which includes the identification and use of preferred retinal locus for fixation/eccentric viewing - accurate saccades - etc
• - Provides instruction in the use of adaptive equipment that enhances visual function and/or compensates for loss of vision
• This may include use of large print - reading stands - lighting management (lamps - filters and other illumination control) - writing aids - software and electronic devices to address
• - Evaluating each veteran's safety habits and self confidence while performing low vision therapy related tasks
• - Providing consultation and vision rehabilitation therapy instruction to VA staff - family members - etc
• as appropriate
• - Counseling veteran's regarding the advantages and limitations of various low vision therapy techniques and adaptive devices as well as the veteran's potential and progress
• - Recommending - training and ordering prosthetic devices to meet individual needs
• - Evaluating the veteran's ability to utilize residual vision for computer access
• - Presenting in-service - consultation - intra-VA details and community programs about low vision therapy and blind rehabilitation - Documenting - in written form - the patient's progress - barriers to training and current treatment plan - Attending and actively participating in staff/team meetings and serving as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team - Writing required treatment plans - progress notes - and summaries for veteran treatment - Provides guidance to other blind rehabilitation professionals regarding veterans computer training needs - Maintaining 5.0 data as needed by VA Blind Rehabilitation
• - Assisting in the research in the evaluation of new devices and techniques for inclusion into the Blind Rehabilitation program - Keeping abreast of current literature - teaching strategies - and technological advances specific to computer access training - Completing required hours for VA educational training - Assists team members with evaluation and training of veterans to perform activities of daily living within the scope of their certifications/disciplines
• - Performing other duties as assigned
• -The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist signs receipt of the Functional Statement upon hire or promotion
• A signed receipted copy is placed in the Blind Rehabilitation specialist's competency folder Work Schedule: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Financial Disclosure Report: Not required