Career Center

The purpose of the position is to perform Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist duties at the Spokane VA Medical Center. The position provides outpatient services in blind/low vision rehabilitation, orientation and mobility, communication and daily living, low vision therapy, technology and computer access and manual skills. 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 and Experience (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, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology, and industrial arts education; OR, (b) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology, and industrial arts education; OR, (c) A bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited college or university (without a major field of study as outlined in (1)(a) and (b) above) and obtained 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. This education must have included supervised practice; and (d) Completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the BRS, GS-9 grade level; OR, (e) Three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a doctoral degree in blind rehabilitation or a directly related field.(2) 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. Required at all levels. (1) Applicants must possess at least one active, current, full, and unrestricted certification to be eligible for appointment. NOTE: The Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) administers four (4) certification programs: Low Vision Therapy, Orientation, and Mobility, Certified Assistive Technology Instructions Specialist and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. Loss of Credential. Once certified, a BROS must maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent certification(s) to remain qualified for employment. Loss of certification(s) will result in removal from the BROS occupation and may result in termination of employment. English Language Proficiency. Candidates who are not proficient in written and spoken English will not be appointed to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA under the authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. 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 Determinations: GS-11: Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation. (b) Ability to properly assess a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions. (c) Skill in development and writing of a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes. (d) Knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles. (e) Ability to employ interventions, unusual motivational techniques, and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan. (f) Skill in recommending appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for patients within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required. (g) Ability to plan, direct, and distribute work assignments to volunteers, assistants, interns, and/or BRSs at lower grade levels and perform assigned mentoring duties for staff, students, and interns. GS-12: Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of 1 year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level is required. AND Certification. Candidates must meet the certification requirements in subparagraph 3c above. BROS at the GS-12 grade level must achieve two ACVREP certifications to demonstrate full mastery in two areas of blind rehabilitation. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the KSAs at the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Skill to independently develop, plan, and administer complex treatment programs. (b) 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 patients in specialty or program areas. (c) Ability to coordinate, motivate, and effectively manage staff and/or committee members to include organizing work, setting priorities, and delegating tasks and responsibilities. (d) Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as a consultant or mentor. (e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders. (f) Ability to identify team group dynamics, objectively observe, and modify behaviors. (g) Ability to apply decision-making principles to adjust programs on a day-to-day basis, to develop short-term and long-range goals, and to plan for future utilization of resources. References: VHA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G42 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Light lifting and carrying (under 15lbs.); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; both hands required; both legs required; Operation of a motor vehicle; both eyes required; Hearing (aid permitted). Environmental Factors: The incumbent may be exposed to a variety of weather conditions during home visits and outdoor mobility training. The incumbent will also travel in this position and will interact at Veteran's homes, businesses, streets, malls, public conveyances, neighborhoods, employment sites, school campuses, rural areas, and downtown and/or urban areas. This position requires some exposure to blood borne pathogens, body fluids, and other potentially infections materials. ["Incumbent serves as a subject matter expert in the blind/vision rehabilitation field, acts as a consultant, and independently develops focused, complex treatment plans for Veteran patients. Duties will include: The incumbent coordinates, motivates and effectively manages staff and committee members to include organizing work, setting priorities and delegating tasks and responsibilities. The incumbent develops and maintains effective interpersonal and working relationships with patients, employees, team leaders, managers, key medical center staff and community agencies. The incumbent develops short term and long range goals, and plan for future utilization of resources to manage all enrolled Veterans with legal blindness, excess disability, and/or low vision. The incumbent is responsible for identifying beneficiaries who have blind and/or low vision rehabilitation training potential. The incumbent consults with the Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST), the eye clinic, blind rehabilitation centers and community resources to locate potential clients. The incumbent is responsible for the blind and low vision rehabilitation training, assessment and consultation of each enrolled veteran at the Spokane VA Medical Center. The incumbent makes maximum use of outpatient clinical facilities; together with proper and judicious use of home based services as necessary. The incumbent properly assesses a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities. The incumbent selects, interprets and adapts traditional strategies in order to meet Veteran's needs. The incumbent develops an individualized rehabilitation training plan for each Veteran with rehabilitation potential. The incumbent recommends appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for patients within the scope of his/her practice, making adaptations and modifications as required. The incumbent has knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles and uses these qualities to provide instructional activities to achieve therapeutic objectives for patients who are blind and visually impaired. The incumbent employs interventions, motivational techniques and coordinates treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan. The incumbent provides case management for VA outpatient blind and low vision rehabilitation training. The incumbent functions as an independent provider of blind and low vision rehabilitation. The incumbent documents assessment, rehabilitation progress, consults, referrals, and recommendations in the computerized patient record system (CPRS) according to the Spokane VA Medical Center's policy. The incumbent makes use of a wide variety of complex training aids and devices for blind and low vision rehabilitation. Incumbent also uses assessment tools and trains veterans on prosthetic and sensory aids to accomplish specific tasks. The incumbent provides patient counseling in psychosocial adjustment to blindness and/or low vision. The incumbent relies upon his/her knowledge of the psychosocial issues associated with visual impairment to assist the veteran in achieving a greater acceptance of blindness and/or low vision and the rehabilitation process. The incumbent administers a blind and/or low vision rehabilitation training program creating necessary local policies, documenting workload, writing reports, outcomes, and scheduling of patients. The incumbent will travel in this position and will interact at veteran's homes, businesses, streets, malls, public conveyances, neighborhoods, employment sites, school campuses, rural areas, and downtown and/or rural areas. Work Schedule: Monday through Thursday, 7:00am to 5:00pm, Days negotiable\nCompressed/Flexible: Yes\nTelework: May be available for highly qualified applicants.\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist/PD000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]