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Blind Rehabilitation Specialist/Low Vision Therapist Part Time

Duties include but are not limited to:
The Blind Rehab Specialist serves as a Low Vision Therapist (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 LVT is responsible for reviewing and scheduling patients referred for Low Vision services and for updating referrals in Blind Rehabilitation System 5.0.
The LVT 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:

1. performance of activities of daily living, educational and vocational pursuits, and leisure and social activities
2. the coping ability of the visually impaired Veteran
3. 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 use of visual motor skills; and
  • continued reassessment of patients’ needs and goal attainment throughout the rehabilitation process

Should the LVT choose to drive a government vehicle, they must maintain a valid state driving license, safe driving record, and VA defensive driving certification. Those who do, may choose to occasionally transport patients to training areas in the government vehicle.

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, 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 LVT 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 LVT 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 LVT assists with educating veterans, caregivers, family members and significant others, employees and staff on blindness and visual impairment. The LVT participates in staff meetings, completes required training, and fulfills other duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday; 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 58593F/58612F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

 

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

 

  • You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
  • Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
  • Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
  • You may be required to serve a probationary period.
  • Subject to background/security investigation.
  • Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
  • Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
  • Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details.

 

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: (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

References: VA Handbook 5005/109 Part II Appendix G41The 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.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit or Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority.

Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant’s criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

  • Benefits

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Job Overview

  • Date Posted:
  • Expiration date: January 31, 2025
  • Location: Atlanta, GA
  • Job Title: Blind Rehabilitation Specialist/Low Vision Therapist
  • Salary: Rs.$63,369 - Rs.$99,670
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