Summary

This position is located within the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center located in Martinsburg West Virginia. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (VIST Coordinator) plans - develops - implements - directs and evaluates the Visual Impairment Service (VIS) Team program at the VHA sites within his or her catchment area.

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
• Education The individual must have earned: 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 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
• 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
• 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: 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®)
• BRS VIST Coordinators may be drawn from traditional blind/vision rehabilitation backgrounds - and from counseling backgrounds such as social work - vocational rehabilitation counseling - etc
• VIST Coordinators must be credentialed/certified through:(a) Any certification via the ACVREP - OR - Individuals appointed based on experience as a Social Worker must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level
• A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work
• If appointed as a VIST Coordinator - Social Workers are appointed to the GS-0601 series - but must still maintain a full - valid - and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment - OR - Certification via the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) - Certified Rehabilitation Counselor - (CRC) - OR - Individuals appointed based on experience in other health care occupations must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice in their field
• If appointed as a VIST Coordinator - such individuals are appointed to the GS-0601 series - but must still maintain their full - valid - and unrestricted independent license or certification in their occupation to remain qualified for employment
• Examples of occupations may include but [are not limited to Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Mental Health Counselor.] English Language Proficiency
• Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74 - to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who are not proficient in written and spoken English
• Grade Determinations: GS 11 In addition to meeting the basic requirements - completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level
• Examples of this experience are: Responsible for intake - assessment - planning for rehabilitation - intervention - and follow-up in the content specialties
• In addition to meeting the knowledge - skills - and abilities (KSAs) described at the GS-9 grade level - the candidate must demonstrate all the following GS 11 grade level KSAs: Ability to communicate both orally and in writing with staff at all organizational levels
• with Veterans and their family members
• with community groups
• and individuals with varying degrees of understanding about visual impairment.] Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions
• Ability to write a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable - measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes
• Knowledge of VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs
• Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients - employees - other team leaders - managers and other stakeholders
• Knowledge of psychological - rehabilitation - and counseling theories and principles
• Ability to coordinate with various resources to identify suitable training programs
• 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.

Duties

• Provides care coordination services to eligible Veterans with visual impairment by assessing (at least annually) - coordinating and reviewing the Veteran's rehabilitation and adjustment needs and determining and referring the type and intensity of services needed
• Determines if additional intervention by other providers will be needed in order to develop a Veteran's individualized treatment plan
• Ensures the update and maintenance of the VIST roster including all legally blind and low vision Veterans enrolled at a given VA medical facility
• Provides outreach and education to VA medical facility and non-VA agencies and personnel through brochures and other educational materials about Veteran counseling and family information
• Conducts monthly VIST support groups for Veterans on various topics to enhance outreach - education - adjustment to sight loss - and peer-to-peer engagement
• Ensures the recommended prosthetic devices and rehabilitation interventions are in alignment with the Veteran's goals and individualized rehabilitation plan
• Promotes awareness of the needs of Veterans with visual impairments to the VA medical facility staff through identifying eligible Veterans with visual impairment in the Electronic Health Record
• Coordinates community care and VHA care to assist Veterans with visual impairment in receiving the best services in both the BRS CoC and from community providers
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: GS11- 26514F - GS12 - 26515F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized