Blind Rehabilitation Specialist
Provides direct patient care and supports services to an adult population of Veterans with severe visual impairment or blindness. Provides individual evaluation, treatment and management of blind and vision rehabilitation program of instruction that teaches Veterans with visual impairments to utilize adaptive skills and techniques necessary to cope with the demands of everyday life. Documents Veteran assessment, training, interdisciplinary team meetings and any other relevant clinical information in the Veteran's computerized health record following VA and BRC guidelines. Develops treatment plans in conjunction with an interdisciplinary team to improve the quality of life for blind and visually impaired Veterans. Works with family members and/or significant others to provide education about sight loss. Other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday, 7:
30am - 4:
00pm Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Relocation/Recruitment Incentives and PCS Expenses:
Not Authorized Telework:
Not Available This is not a virtual position. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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- Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j. Basic Education Requirement- When applying for positions with an Education Requirement you MUST provide official or unofficial transcripts which state a degree was conferred in the appropriate field and you must provide any additional information to support you have met the Education Requirement. (Copies of Degrees or course listings are not adequate information to meet the education requirement). To qualify for this position you must possess:
1. 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 2. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university 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). AND/OR One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15-18 semester hours). A certificate 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. Certification Requirement- Required at GS-11 and above. 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, related professional credential in special education, rehabilitation or health care. If all certifications are impaired, the individual is ineligible for appointment in VA. NOTE:
The ACVREP administers four certification programs:
Low Vision Therapy, Orientation and Mobility, Assistive Technology Instruction and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. Grade Determinations:
In addition to the basic qualifications, applicants must also have the following:
GS-11 (1) Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade. OR, (2) 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 AND, (3) 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. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-9 level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following professional KSAs:
1. Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation. 2. Ability to properly assess a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions. 3. Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes. 4. Skill in instructional methods and learning principles.5. Ability to employ interventions and unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan.6. Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for Veterans within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required. References:
VA Handbook 5005/109, Part II, Appendix G41, Blind Rehabilitation Specialist, dated 3/13/19 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements:
The work requires regular and recurring exertion such as standing, ascending and descending stairs, or walking for up to two continuous hours; frequent bending; reaching above the shoulder, medium lifting and carrying (up to 40 pounds), pushing or pulling objects. The work requires the ability to cope with a variety and complexity of situations due to the diversity of patients, duties and responsibilities. The work requires pushing veterans in wheelchairs on a regular basis.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Monday - Friday, 7:
30am - 4:
00pm Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required Relocation/Recruitment Incentives and PCS Expenses:
Not Authorized Telework:
Not Available This is not a virtual position. To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement. 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- Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j. Basic Education Requirement- When applying for positions with an Education Requirement you MUST provide official or unofficial transcripts which state a degree was conferred in the appropriate field and you must provide any additional information to support you have met the Education Requirement. (Copies of Degrees or course listings are not adequate information to meet the education requirement). To qualify for this position you must possess:
1. 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 2. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university 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). AND/OR One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15-18 semester hours). A certificate 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. Certification Requirement- Required at GS-11 and above. 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, related professional credential in special education, rehabilitation or health care. If all certifications are impaired, the individual is ineligible for appointment in VA. NOTE:
The ACVREP administers four certification programs:
Low Vision Therapy, Orientation and Mobility, Assistive Technology Instruction and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. Grade Determinations:
In addition to the basic qualifications, applicants must also have the following:
GS-11 (1) Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade. OR, (2) 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 AND, (3) 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. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-9 level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following professional KSAs:
1. Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation. 2. Ability to properly assess a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions. 3. Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes. 4. Skill in instructional methods and learning principles.5. Ability to employ interventions and unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan.6. Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for Veterans within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required. References:
VA Handbook 5005/109, Part II, Appendix G41, Blind Rehabilitation Specialist, dated 3/13/19 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements:
The work requires regular and recurring exertion such as standing, ascending and descending stairs, or walking for up to two continuous hours; frequent bending; reaching above the shoulder, medium lifting and carrying (up to 40 pounds), pushing or pulling objects. The work requires the ability to cope with a variety and complexity of situations due to the diversity of patients, duties and responsibilities. The work requires pushing veterans in wheelchairs on a regular basis.
- Department:
0601 General Health Science - Salary Range:
$72,030 to $93,638 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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