Summary

The primary purpose of the position is to manage and provide direct blind and vision rehabilitation training services to visually impaired Veterans and Service members. The incumbent assesses - trains - manages - and provides follow-up for Veterans using clinical resources of the facility. The LVT also interacts with Rehabilitation Medicine - Audiology - Social Work - Prosthetic and Sensory Aids - and other Services and agencies of the VA and the community.

Qualifications

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: 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 at least 15 - 18 semester hours)
• 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 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 the GS-11 grade level and above
• (1) 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
• [ ] NOTE: The ACVREP administers four certification programs: Low Vision Therapy - Orientation and Mobility - Assistive Technology Instruction and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
• They may then use the designation for the certification they hold (as listed in subparagraph (2)) below: (2) 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®)
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements - the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates
• This criteria is consistent with the two grade interval structure for professional/scientific professions found in VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G17
• Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (BRS) GS 09 Entry Level (1) Experience
• Bachelor's degree and completion of one year of experience.OR - (2) Education
• Completion of at least two full years of progressive graduate education or a master's degree in a field directly related to this position
• (3) Certification
• No certification is required at this level
• (4) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the education and experience above the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs in their resume: (a) Knowledge of policies and procedures of the blind/vision rehabilitation service
• (b) Knowledge of administration and interpretation of assessments and evaluations in blind/vision rehabilitation
• (c) Ability to develop a basic written blind/vision rehabilitation plan from assessment results and develop more complex plans with consultation from supervisor
• (d) Skill in instructing [Veterans] and families in a meaningful rehabilitation program and applying blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic techniques
• (e) Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision prosthetic devices for Veterans within the scope of practice
• (f) Ability to serve as team coordinator for assigned Veterans during their rehabilitation programs
• (5) Assignment
• Individuals at this grade level serve as [entry level] staff BRSs
• They are responsible for intake - assessment - planning for rehabilitation - intervention - and follow-up in the content specialties
• They receive guidance from experienced staff members for the most complex [Veteran cases.] BRS - GS-11 (NOTE: Full performance level for BRS who are not VIST Coordinators.) (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
• (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
• (4) 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: (a) Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation
• (b) Ability to properly assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions
• (c) Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable - measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes
• (d) Skill in instructional methods and learning principles
• (e) Ability to employ interventions and unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan
• (f) Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for Veterans within scope of practice - making adaptations and modifications as required
• Preferred Experience: Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Low Vision Therapist - This recruitment is for a Low Vision Therapist
• If you are applying at the GS-11 grade level - you MUST be CLVT certified and provide certification when uploading documents
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS 09 to GS 11
• Physical Requirements: Pre-placement physical examination to determine the physical - cognitive and emotional fitness of candidates for appointment in VA is required - and shall be completed prior to appointment - for all full-time - part-time and intermittent positions.

Duties

• FUNCTIONS: The incumbent serves as a LVT at the Atlanta VAMC providing services to visually impaired Veterans and Service members within the catchment area of the Atlanta VAMC
• The LVT 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 as well as young OEF/OIF Veterans who may have wound and trauma related vision loss
• Review of demographic data discloses that the average age of an Atlanta VAMC Advanced Low Vision Service (ALVS) patient is 71 years - median age of 70 - with a distribution of 95% male and 5% female
• Within these broad categorizations - the LVT 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 - their family and caregivers - to the extent possible
• The incumbent is responsible for reviewing and scheduling patients referred for Low Vision services and for updating referrals in Blind Rehabilitation System 5.0
• The incumbent is responsible for blind and vision rehabilitation assessment - planning - training - and outcomes evaluation on each Veteran for whom service is provided
• This includes: - assessment of the patient's background - interests - future plans - motivation - needs - and aptitude
• - completion of a functional low vision evaluation that identifies visual impairments related to: o performance of activities of daily living - educational and vocational pursuits - and leisure and social activities
• o the coping ability of the visually impaired Veteran
• o the impact of the vision disability on significant others
• - evaluation of the patient's functional visual capabilities with standard low-vision optical - electronic - and non-optical devices
• - determination of appropriate instructional techniques
• - implementation of training plans - including the use of visual motor skills
• and - continued reassessment of patients' needs and goal attainment throughout the rehabilitation process
• Low Vision therapy is provided where appropriate for the Veteran's needs - including on the Atlanta VAMC campus and at Atlanta Community Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOC)
• Timely shuttle service may not be available between the Atlanta VAMC and CBOCs
• The incumbent who chooses to drive a government vehicle must maintain a valid state driving license - safe driving record - and VA defensive driving certification
• The incumbent may also choose to occasionally transport patients to training areas
• A government vehicle must be used for this incidental duty
• While some patients manifest only vision loss as their medical condition others have multiple medical - psychological - and/or cognitive conditions in addition to vision loss
• The LVT must identify the patient's strengths - difficulties confronting the patient - and the barriers to treatment - and develop and provide interventions designed to enhance the blind rehabilitation process
• The LVT makes appropriate referrals to other disciplines such as other vision rehabilitation specialists - primary care - counseling professionals for adjustment disorders - audiology and speech pathology - occupational and physical therapy - and health care professionals whenever important for the safety - health - and independent functioning of the Veteran
• The incumbent is responsible for recommending and ordering appropriate optical and non-optical blind/vision prosthetic devices for patients within the scope of practice
• Serving as a manager for direct care - the incumbent is responsible for ensuring documents of assessment - rehabilitation training progress - changes in treatment plan - discharge summaries - consults - referrals - and recommendations are properly and promptly entered in the Veteran's CPRS chart
• The incumbent assists with educating veterans - caregivers - family members - and significant others - employees - and staff on blindness and visual impairment
• The incumbent participates in staff meetings - completes required training - and fulfills other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday through Friday - 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 58612F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized