Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (Visual Impairment Service Team Coordinator)

Veterans Health Administration • Augusta, GA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located in the Veterans Health Administration’s VA Augusta Health Care System in Augusta, Georgia, at the Augusta Blind Rehabilitation Center. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist serves as the Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinator, providing lifetime care coordination to eligible Veterans with visual impairment. The role adapts the level of intervention to each Veteran’s clinical and psychosocial needs and includes case management, rehabilitation planning, counseling, and coordination of care and resources to promote independence and quality of life.

At the GS-12 full-performance level, the coordinator independently manages and evaluates the VIST program, leads interdisciplinary service coordination, conducts outreach, and handles complex cases. The position works with Veterans and their families, healthcare providers, VA and non-VA rehabilitation services, benefits programs, community agencies, and other stakeholders. The full performance level is GS-12; selection may be at GS-11 or GS-12.

The work schedule is 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework is not available. Physical duties include recurring standing or walking, bending, reaching above the shoulder, and light lifting and carrying of less than 40 pounds, as well as pushing or pulling objects. Relocation and recruitment incentives and permanent change-of-station expenses are not authorized.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Meet the education requirement: three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a doctoral degree, or a doctoral degree in Blind Rehabilitation or a directly related field.
• Maintain a qualifying VIST Coordinator credential, such as ACVREP certification, state social work licensure, CRCC certification, or an equivalent relevant professional credential in counseling or rehabilitation.
• For GS-11: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9, or the specified qualifying graduate education or doctoral degree; also meet the credential requirement.
• For GS-12: one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 and maintain a qualifying VIST Coordinator credential.
• Demonstrate effective communication with Veterans, families, healthcare professionals, community partners, and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrate the ability to assess Veterans with visual impairments and multiple disabilities, determine rehabilitation needs, and develop plans with measurable outcomes.
• Demonstrate knowledge and use of counseling, rehabilitation, and psychological principles to support adjustment to vision loss.
• Demonstrate the ability to coordinate rehabilitation services and training through VA and community resources and build effective working relationships.
• At GS-12, demonstrate the ability to assess complex needs, manage comprehensive rehabilitation plans, coordinate services and benefits, manage program operations and resources, develop program goals, lead interdisciplinary collaboration, and communicate with audiences including executive leadership.
• Complete required background and security investigation, pre-employment physical evaluation, drug testing if selected for a testing-designated position, seasonal influenza vaccination requirements, and online onboarding.
• Meet the Selective Service registration requirement for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Serve a one- or two-year trial period, as applicable.
• Use only education or degrees from institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency and transcript for qualification credit.

Responsibilities

• Assess Veterans with visual impairments to identify rehabilitation, psychosocial, adjustment, and independent-living needs.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized blind and vision rehabilitation plans with measurable goals and outcomes.
• Provide case management, rehabilitation counseling, and adjustment-to-blindness services to Veterans and their families.
• Coordinate rehabilitation services with interdisciplinary healthcare teams, rehabilitation providers, community agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Refer Veterans to VA and non-VA rehabilitation, low-vision, vocational, educational, and community programs and resources.
• Educate Veterans and caregivers about rehabilitation services, adaptive equipment, compensation and benefits, and support programs.
• Maintain clinical records, case documentation, rehabilitation plans, and program reports.
• Conduct outreach to identify Veterans with visual impairments and raise awareness of available rehabilitation services.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals and community partners to improve service access and support Veteran rehabilitation goals.
• At the GS-12 level, independently manage and evaluate the VIST program and lead interdisciplinary teams coordinating rehabilitation services.
• Apply program-management and decision-making principles to address operational needs, allocate resources, and improve service delivery.
• Develop and implement short- and long-range program goals, outreach initiatives, support groups, educational activities, and community presentations.
• Conduct complex coordination and negotiation with VA and non-VA healthcare systems, benefits programs, rehabilitation providers, and community organizations.
• Serve as a subject-matter expert and consultant on blind rehabilitation services, visual impairment programs, and rehabilitation resources.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.
• Selected applicants may request consideration of prior work or military service for annual-leave accrual credit; approval is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree