BLIND REHABILITATION SPECIALIST

SummaryThe Advanced Ambulatory Low Vision Clinic in Martinez, California has Blind Rehabilitation Specialists that are multi-skilled professionals who perform a wide array of blind rehabilitation services including assessments and visual skills, living skills and orientation and mobility training. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialists offer pre/post Blind Rehabilitation Center training, and also instruct those who may not be able to travel to a Blind Rehabilitation Center.ResponsibilitiesThe incumbent identifies, assesses, administers appropriate evaluation tests, develops treatment plans, trains and educates, and provides follow-up care. He/she is not only a member of the immediate LVC and Eye Care team but may also interact with Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, TBI, Neurology Service, Primary Care Service, Audiology and Speech Service, Social Work Service, and other services and agencies of VA and the community. Specific responsibilities of the blind rehabilitation specialist include: I. Interpreting all documentation prior to admission to program and interpreting evaluations, assessments, medical, and other appropriate professional documentation on an on-going basis during the patient's program 2. Interpreting policies and directives to veterans assigned to the rehabilitation team 3. Assessing the patient's background, interest, future plans, motivation, needs, and capabilities for training with regard to the Low Vision discipline 4. Evaluating the patient's current visual functioning level in order to provide information to other professional staff for treatment planning purposes 5. Evaluating visual functioning utilizing specialized tests and procedures 6. Evaluating with other team members and any ancillary staff as needed (e.g. psychology, optometry, neurology, etc.) the patient's mental ability, visual functioning, tactual perception, memory, spelling, study habits, orientation and mobility capabilities, and overall potential. 7. Upon completion of the low vision functional evaluation, works with the team to develop a rehabilitation plan based on assessment results, patient goals, patient needs, and any additional impairment 8. Providing instruction in the use of Low Vision devices to include near, intermediate, and distance devices and their practical applications according to individual needs. 9. Recommending appropriate prosthetic devices to meet individual needs 10.May be called upon to provide consultation, assessment and instruction to other team members or individuals who are not members of the team 11.Counseling patients as to the advantages and limitations of the various Low Vision techniques and optical devices 12.Providing on-going counseling to individual patient's regarding their progress and potential 13.Determining when a patient has met his full potential in vision rehabilitation or when instruction should be terminated due to lack of progress 14.Documenting, in written form, the patient's progress, and any problems that have occurred, steps that have been taken to overcome these problems, and current treatment plan 15.Conducting an educational program for the patient's family member or significant other to assist them in obtaining a better understanding of the veteran's sight loss. This includes an in-depth explanation of low vision instruction and counseling the participant regarding the veteran's visual capability by utilizing visual simulators and any adaptive techniques and/or devices used during training. . 16.Participating in intra-center training in order to become proficient in other aspects of the vision rehabilitation training program (e.g. cross training in basic Living Skills and Orientation and Mobility disciplines). Upon completion of training, the instructor may be called upon to teach or assist in teaching in some aspects of these areas as needed. 17.Keeping abreast of current literature, teaching strategies, and technological advances specific to Low Vision 18, Responsible for designing Low Vision simulators that represent as close as possible the veteran's unique sight loss for use by the individuals participating in the Family Training Program 19.Attending staff meetings, actively participating in all team meetings and preparing a treatment plan, progress notes and summaries for inclusion in the final summary. 20.Acts as a mentor to other blind rehabilitation specialists and interns within the program 21. Assisting in the development of low vision discipline instructional material for each of the low vision prosthetic devices being issued by the center as well as newly approved devices that will be issued in the future. 22. Assisting in the evaluation of new devices and techniques relevant to Low Vision 23. Preparing, lecturing and demonstrating low vision devices and treatment techniques to clinical trainees, family members, community agencies, and persons on VA educational details, 24, Assist with and/or provide orientation and mobility training in the absence of an orientation mobility specialist 25. Serves, as an integral member of a multi-disciplinary team for all veterans assigned to the team 26.Assisting in the Eye Clinic as needed 27.Performing other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am-4:30pmFinancial Disclosure Report: Not requiredRequirementsConditions of EmploymentQualificationsApplicants 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. Education: (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: 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 b from an accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent, as verified through an independent credential evaluation company), with a specialization in blind rehabilitation. 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 a least 15 -18 semester hours). English: 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. 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. They may then use the designation for the certification they hold . BRS who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows: (a) Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS®). (b) Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®). (c) Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®). [(d) 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). In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: 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-today basis, develop short term and long-range goals, and plan for future utilization of resources. Skill in developing, planning, and administering complex treatment programs. References: VA Handbook 5005/109 dated March 13,2019 PART II Appendix G41. The full performance level of this vacancy is 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.EducationIMPORTANT: 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.Additional InformationReceiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. VA may offer newly-appointed Federal employee's credit for their job-related non-federal experience or active duty uniformed military service. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members. If you are unable to apply online view the following link for information regarding an Alternate Application.