Blind Rehabilitation Specialist

Veterans Health Administration • Augusta, GA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist provides individualized rehabilitation services to Veterans with visual impairments to support independence, safety, and quality of life. The specialist assesses Veterans, develops and delivers training plans, monitors progress, and coordinates care with an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team. The role includes evaluating functional abilities and safety in daily living, identifying barriers to participation, recommending interventions and adaptive equipment, and providing education and support to Veterans and caregivers. The position also requires documenting assessments, training, interventions, and care plan updates in accordance with VA policy and regulatory requirements.

The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Telework is not available. The full-performance level is GS-11. Physical activity may include standing or walking for up to two hours, frequent bending, reaching above the shoulder, and light lifting or carrying of less than 40 pounds, as well as pushing or pulling objects.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship, subject to the stated exception for non-citizens when qualified citizens cannot be recruited under VA policy.
• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a specified related field, or a bachelor's degree supplemented by qualifying related coursework, graduate coursework, or an approved certificate and practicum/internship. Foreign graduates must provide qualifying degree equivalency documentation.
• At GS-9, either a bachelor's degree and one year of experience or at least two full years of progressive graduate education or a related master's degree.
• At GS-11, either one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to GS-9, or three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a doctorate or a doctorate in Blind Rehabilitation or a directly related field.
• At GS-11 and above, at least one active, current, full, and unrestricted certification from ACVREP or an equivalent, closely related professional credential in special education or rehabilitation.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English.
• Demonstrated knowledge of blind/vision rehabilitation policies, procedures, assessments, and evaluations; ability to develop rehabilitation plans, instruct Veterans and families, recommend appropriate devices within scope of practice, and coordinate care.
• At GS-11, demonstrated ability to conduct complex evaluations, assess Veterans with diverse and multiple disabilities, write measurable interdisciplinary rehabilitation plans, use instructional methods and motivational techniques, coordinate treatment, and adapt or modify devices as needed.
• May be required to serve a probationary period, undergo a background/security investigation, complete online onboarding, and pass a pre-employment physical examination.
• Applicants tentatively selected for a testing-designated position are subject to pre-appointment urinalysis; refusal results in denial of VA employment.
• Selective Service registration is required for males born after December 31, 1959.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is required for VA health care personnel.
• Must meet the physical requirements, including standing or walking for up to two hours, frequent bending, reaching above the shoulder, light lifting and carrying under 40 pounds, and pushing or pulling objects.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist.

Responsibilities

• Assess Veterans’ backgrounds, interests, goals, motivation, and training needs for individualized rehabilitation planning.
• Evaluate safety practices and confidence in daily living activities; identify needs for instruction, modified techniques, or adaptive equipment.
• Assess functional abilities and progress in finger dexterity, tactile perception, hand-eye and bimanual coordination, hand-foot coordination, task-sequencing memory, and constructive imagination.
• Use, maintain, and troubleshoot assistive technologies, including electronic travel aids, computer-assisted devices, speech output/input systems, and Braille technologies.
• Identify visual and non-visual barriers that contribute to activity limitations, participation restrictions, psychological distress, or loss of vocational and avocational opportunities, and recommend interventions.
• Participate in cross-training across other blind rehabilitation disciplines to support workload needs and Veterans’ individualized goals.
• Coordinate assigned Veterans’ rehabilitation programs by developing, implementing, and monitoring interdisciplinary care plans with the Veteran and rehabilitation team.
• Document assessments, training progress, interventions, and care plan updates according to VA policy and regulatory requirements.
• Educate and support Veterans and caregivers on adaptive skills, assistive technology, and rehabilitation strategies.

Benefits

• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families.
• Potential credit for job-related non-federal experience or active-duty uniformed military service when determining annual leave accrual, subject to prior request and approval.

What This Job Offers

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