Summary

The Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS) provides direct patient care and support services to an adult population of patients. The primary purpose of the position is to manage and provide direct blind and vision rehabilitation training services to Veterans and Service members with visual impairment. The BROS functions independently in several settings including hospitals - clinics - rehabilitation centers - long-term care facilities - educational institutions and home environments.

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 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
• Education and Experience: 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 & 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 & 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 & 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
• Note: 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: Applicants must possess at least one active - current - full - and unrestricted certification to be eligible for appointment
• An applicant who has - or ever had his/her certification suspended - restricted - limited - or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 3 - Section B - Paragraph 16 of this part
• An applicant who has or has ever had a certification revoked or terminated for cause - or voluntarily relinquished such certification after being notified in writing by the State of potential revocation or termination for cause - is ineligible for employment and must be removed from the GS-0601 series
• This applies even if the applicant possesses one or more valid certifications or registration (38 U.S.C. § 7402(f))
• BROS who provide the following services must obtain and maintain one certification at the GS-11 grade level and two certifications at the GS-12 grade level granted by ACVREP as follows: (a)
• Orientation & mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS®)
• (b)
• Communication & daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®)
• (c)
• Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®)
• (d)
• Assistive technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist (CATIS®) 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
• Grandfathering Provision: 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: In addition to the basic requirements - the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: BROS - GS-11 (Entry level) Experience: None beyond the basic requirements Certification: Candidates must meet the certification requirements in the certification section above (at least one certification from ACVREP)
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the experience above - the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation
• Ability to properly assess a wide variety of patients having multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions
• 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
• Knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles
• Ability to employ interventions - unusual motivational techniques - and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan
• Skill in recommending appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for patients within scope of practice - making adaptations and modifications as required
• 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
• NOTE: Upon hire - GS-11 BROS are required to obtain a 2nd certification from ACVREP within 2 years of the initial appointment date to demonstrate journey mastery in two specialty areas and to become a GS-12 BROS
• Failure to do so will result in removal from the BROS occupation and may result in termination of employment
• BROS - GS-12 (Full Performance Level) 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
• Certification: Candidates must meet the certification requirements in the certification section above
• BROS at the GS-12 grade level must achieve two ACVREP certifications to demonstrate full mastery in two areas of blind rehabilitation
• 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: Skill to independently develop - plan - and administer complex treatment programs 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 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 patients - 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-to-day basis - to develop short-term & long-range goals - and to plan for future utilization of resources
• 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-12
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12.

Duties

• The primary purpose of the position is to: Manage and provide direct blind and vision rehabilitation training services to Veterans and Service members with visual impairment
• Identify - assess - train - manage and provides follow-up for Veterans using clinical resources of the facility
• As a member of the Blind Rehabilitation Service and the interdisciplinary Visual Impairment Services Team - the incumbent interacts with Rehabilitation Medicine - Audiology - Social Work - Prosthetic and Sensory Aids - and other Services and agencies of the VA and the community
• The BROS functions independently in several 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 - continuing care retirement facilities - community sites - and hospitals
• Performs additional duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday- Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized