Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Des Moines, IA

12h • Onsite

About The Position

The Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist provides blind and vision rehabilitation services to Veterans through the VA Midwest Health Care Network’s Whole Health System of care. The role identifies Veterans who may benefit from rehabilitation, coordinates with VIST, eye clinics, rehabilitation services, and community resources, and delivers direct services in Veterans’ homes, other residences, or community settings as needed.

The specialist assesses Veterans, develops individualized rehabilitation-training plans with Veteran and/or family goals and measurable outcomes, provides training across the relevant skill areas, and evaluates outcomes. The work uses complex assessment tools, training aids, prosthetics, and sensory aids. The specialist also provides counseling to support adjustment to blindness, manages VA and non-VA outpatient rehabilitation activities, and develops recommendations and specifications for contract services. When serving as a manager for direct care, the specialist ensures assessments, progress, consultations, referrals, and recommendations are documented in the Veteran’s chart.

The position is full-time, Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework and virtual work are not available. The vacancy is at GS-11 to GS-12, with GS-12 as the full performance level. The position is eligible for the Education Debt Reduction Program, subject to eligibility and program approval; awards may be up to $200,000. Relocation and recruitment incentives are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to stated exceptions for appointment when qualified citizens cannot be recruited.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology, or industrial arts education; alternatively, a bachelor’s or master’s degree in another field plus an accredited certificate in a core curriculum in orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, assistive technology for blind and visually impaired individuals, or low vision therapy, including supervised practice.
• For the education pathways specified in the announcement, one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to BRS, GS-9, or three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a doctoral degree in blind rehabilitation or a directly related field.
• At least one active, current, full, and unrestricted ACVREP certification at appointment.
• GS-11 candidates must demonstrate knowledge of complex blind/vision rehabilitation evaluations and tests; ability to assess patients with multiple disabilities and recommend interventions; ability to develop rehabilitation plans with multidisciplinary information, measurable goals, and outcomes; knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles; and ability to use interventions and coordinate treatment with other professionals.
• GS-11 candidates must obtain a second ACVREP certification within two years of initial appointment to demonstrate mastery in two specialty areas and become eligible for GS-12; failure to do so may result in removal from the occupation and may result in termination.
• GS-12 candidates must have at least one year of experience equivalent to GS-11 and two ACVREP certifications.
• GS-12 candidates must demonstrate the ability to independently develop and administer complex treatment programs; serve as a subject matter expert, consultant, supervisor, or mentor; coordinate and manage staff or committee members; disseminate information; maintain effective interpersonal relationships; recognize and modify group dynamics; and apply decision-making principles to adjust programs and plan goals and resources.
• Unrestricted driver’s license and a clean driving record report from the DMV.
• Pass a pre-employment physical examination, including a driver’s physical.
• Meet background and security investigation requirements, complete online onboarding, and provide acceptable identification for pre-employment requirements.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, subject to written certification of continued employment at its completion.

Responsibilities

• Identify beneficiaries who may benefit from blind and vision rehabilitation training.
• Coordinate with VIST, eye clinics, blind and vision rehabilitation services, and community resources to locate and serve potential Veterans.
• Provide direct blind and vision rehabilitation services in Veterans’ homes, other residences, or community settings as needed.
• Assess Veterans, plan and deliver rehabilitation training, and evaluate outcomes using objective and subjective assessment tools and methods.
• Develop individualized rehabilitation-training plans with Veteran and/or family goals and achievable, measurable outcomes.
• Use complex training aids, assessment tools, prosthetics, and sensory aids, and train Veterans in their use.
• Ensure assessments, rehabilitation-training progress, consultations, referrals, and recommendations are entered in the Veteran’s chart when serving as a manager for direct care.
• Manage VA and non-VA outpatient blind and vision rehabilitation activities.
• Develop recommendations and specifications for contract services tailored to a Veteran’s rehabilitation care.
• Provide counseling to help Veterans adjust to blindness.

Benefits

• Education Debt Reduction Program (EDRP), subject to eligibility and approval, with an award amount of up to $200,000.
• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level