Blind Rehab Specialist

VISN 9 Intermediate Low Vision Program is a special medical program designed by the Department of Veterans Affairs to optimize vision rehabilitation services to veterans with chronic mild to severe visual impairment. The program accepts not only those vision impaired veterans from the local facility but those vision impaired veterans from within the VISN.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: Applicants must be proficient in spoken and written English.
• Education:
  • 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

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university combined with:
  • 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.

Grade Determinations:
a. Blind Rehab Specialist , 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 (KSAs):
  • In addition to the education and experience above 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 as team coordinator for assigned Veterans during their rehabilitation programs.

b. Blind Rehab Specialist, 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.
    • 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.

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).
The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS9 to GS11.
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.Education: IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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/.Employment Type: FULL_TIME