Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (Visual Skills)

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Hines (IL); On-site; USD 83,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs invites applications for a Blind Rehabilitation Specialist who delivers assessment, treatment, and follow-up services for visually impaired Veterans and service members.

Responsibilities include low-vision therapy, orientation and mobility, and adaptive technology instruction across diverse settings. The role requires a relevant bachelor's degree, active professional certification (ACVREP or equivalent), and demonstrated KSAs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in blind or vision rehabilitation, or related field, or equivalent coursework as specified.
• Active certification from ACVREP or equivalent professional credential.
• Experience demonstrating KSAs in blind/vision rehabilitation assessments and planning.
• Ability to coordinate an interdisciplinary plan of care and serve as Team Coordinator.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care and support for visually impaired Veterans.
• Assess veterans' needs and develop individualized goals and plans.
• Instruct Veterans in adaptive skills and rehabilitation techniques.
• Coordinate care with an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team.

Skills

Assessment knowledge

Team coordination

Instructing Veterans

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Adaptive technology knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in blind/vision rehabilitation

Graduate coursework or related master's degree

Tools

ACVREP certification

Assistive technology devices

Vision rehabilitation equipment

Job description

Summary

The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist provides assessment - treatment - and follow-up services for visually impaired Veterans and Service members. Responsibilities include low-vision therapy - orientation and mobility - vision rehabilitation - manual skills - and computer access instruction. Specialists work independently across hospitals - clinics - rehabilitation centers - long-term care facilities - educational institutions - homes - and community settings.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States
• English Language Proficiency: Candidates will not be appointed to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who are not proficient in written and spoken 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 (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
• 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 Determination: GS-09 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
• 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
• Grade Determination: 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: Required at the GS-11 grade level and above
• 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
• Blind Rehabilitation Specialists who provide the following service must obtain certification in: Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS®) or a related - equivalent - professional certification OR Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS®) OR Communication and daily living therapy/Rehabilitation Teaching - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®) OR Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®) 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
• 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
• The grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11
• Physical Requirements: A Blind Rehabilitation Specialist functions independently in a number of settings including hospitals - clinics - rehabilitation centers - long-term care facilities - educational institutions and home environments
• The work environment may be in an office - clinical setting - classroom - private home - VA grounds - nursing home - community sites - and hospitals
• Physical Requirements are per VA Directive and Handbook 5019 - Employee Occupational Health Service

Duties

• The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist provides direct patient care and support services to an adult population of patients which is characterized by a very significant number of older male patients in the Orientation and Mobility Department
• Review of demographic data discloses that the average age of a Central Blind Rehabilitation Center patient is 67.4 years with a distribution of 96% male and 4% female
• Within these broad categorizations - the employee must tailor patient care and support services to meet the needs of the individual patient
• This includes the responsibility for assessment of each patient's needs and the delivery of services which are responsive to the concerns of individual patients to the extent possible
• Duties may include - but are not limited to the following: Provides direct care and support services to adults with blindness or visual impairment - including a substantial population of older male veterans
• Assesses each veteran's needs - abilities - limitations - concerns - and barriers to treatment - then develops individualized goals and treatment plans
• Provides instruction in adaptive skills and techniques that promote independence and help veterans manage everyday activities
• Addresses the physical - emotional - psychological - social - vocational - and recreational effects of blindness and visual impairment
• Works as part of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team and may serve as Team Coordinator for one or more veterans
• As Team Coordinator - develops and coordinates the veteran's Interdisciplinary Plan of Care with input from the veteran and other team members
• Serves as a primary advocate for assigned veterans by communicating their needs and concerns to the rehabilitation team
• Provides and documents professional assessments - individualized program plans - training progress - post-training skills - and recommendations
• Evaluates and prescribes low-vision and adaptive technologies - including electronic travel aids - computer-assisted technology - closed-circuit television - speech-output and input devices - large-print devices - and Braille equipment
• Instructs veterans in the proper use - capabilities - and limitations of prescribed devices
• Supports veterans with complex needs - including additional medical - psychological - substance-use - or cognitive concerns
• Builds rapport with veterans and provides interventions designed to enhance the rehabilitation process
• Mentors new visual rehabilitation staff - employees from other departments - interns - and clinical trainees requiring cross-training
• May assume administrative responsibilities during the absence of the supervisory specialist - including scheduling - supply management - work orders - service recovery - and leave and attendance reporting
• Perform other related duties as assigned
• Requirement: Driving patients for training purposes
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Suitable
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 02293F - 02329F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
• Salary Ranges: GS 09: $68 -999 - $89 -703 GS 11: $83 -482 - $108 -533