Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (Waco) Internal
The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist possesses professional knowledge of and skill in applying concepts, principles, and practices of blind and vision rehabilitation that includes assessment, treatment, and follow-up. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (BRS) is responsible for functioning as a full member of a rehabilitation team for the total rehabilitation process including assessing needs and identifying Veteran-specific goals, developing an individualized treatment plan, implementing that plan, counseling Veterans regarding visual impairment, and recommending prosthetic and adaptive equipment to best meet Veterans training goals. The BRS is responsible for participating in cross-training in blind rehabilitation disciplines, assisting in the cross-training instruction of other BRSs, and developing instructional materials to be utilized by other BRSs in the program. The BRS provides direct patient care and support services to a population of Veterans which is characterized by a very significant number of older males, but includes both females and males of all adult ages. The incumbent must tailor patient care and support services to meet the needs of the individual Veteran. He/she must assess the needs of each Veteran and the delivery of services. The BRS works as part of a team coordinating care for blind and visually impaired Veterans. The BRS may serve as team coordinator for developing and coordinating the Veteran's Interdisciplinary Team Plan (IDTP).The BRS maintains close communication with all members of the interdisciplinary Blind Rehabilitation Center staff. The incumbent studies visual and non-visual barriers and related processes that may result in activity limitations, participation restrictions, loss of vocational and avocational opportunities and psychological distress. Work Schedule:
Monday through Friday; 7:
30 am to 4:
00 pm or as agreed upon with the possibility of extended hours and weekends. NOTE:
Candidates must be willing to work weekends, irregular work hours and extended hours. The candidate must be willing to be assigned to other related services and/or locations, if necessary. Financial Disclosure:
Not Required This is a Bargaining Unit Position. IF PATIENT NEEDS ARISE, THE INCUMBENT OF THE ABOVE POSITION MAY BE REASSIGNED WITHIN THE CENTRAL TEXAS VETERANS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. 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:
Citizenship:
Citizen of the United States. (Non-Citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3g this part). Education:
(1) The individual must have earned:
(a) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology and industrial arts education, or health care 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:
1. 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).2. One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15-18 semester hours).3. A certificate in the core curriculum in orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy or low vision therapy from an accredited college or university and a directly related practicum/internship in the occupation, either included in the degree or post-degree. Certification:
Required at GS-11 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, related professional credential in special education, rehabilitation, or health care.(2) BRSs 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 (formerly Rehabilitation Teaching) - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT)(c) Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT)(d) Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist (CATIS) Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. BRSs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j. 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 2 grade interval structure for professional/scientific professionals found in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G17.(1) GS-9 (Entry Level)(a) Certification. No certification required at this level. (b) Education and Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of 1 year of experience or completion of 2 full years of progressive graduate education or a master's degree in a field directly related to the position. The candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(c) Demonstrated KSAs1. Knowledge of policies and procedures of the blind/vision rehabilitation service. 2. Knowledge of administration and interpretation of assessments and evaluations in blind/vision rehabilitation. 3. Ability to develop a basic written blind/vision rehabilitation plan from assessment results and develop more complex plans with consultation from supervisor. 4. Skill in instructing Veterans and families in a meaningful rehabilitation program and applying blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic techniques. 5. Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision prosthetic devices for Veterans within the scope of practice. 6. Ability to serve as team coordinator for assigned Veterans during their rehabilitation programs. (d) Assignment. Individuals at this grade level serve as 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 Veterans cases. (3) GS-11 (Full Performance Level for BRSs) (a) Certification Required1. Staff BRS. Candidates must meet the certification requirements in paragraph 2c (1) above. BRS (GS-11) must have one certification from ACVREP or a related, equivalent, professional certification. (b) Education and Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, the position requires completion of 1 year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the next lower grade of GS-9 in Federal Service or 3 years progressively complex experience post completion of Bachelor's Degree; or 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Doctoral Degree; or Doctoral Degree in Blind Rehabilitation or a directly related field. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-9 level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following professional KSAs:
(c) Demonstrated KSAs 1. Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation. 2. Ability to properly assess a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions. 3. Ability to write a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes. 4. Knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles. 5. Ability to employ interventions, unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan. 6. Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for patients within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required. 7. Ability to plan, direct, and distribute work assignments to volunteers, assistants and, interns and/or BRSs at lower grade levels and perform assigned mentoring duties for staff, students, and interns. References:
VA Handbook 5005/109, Part II, Appendix G41. Physical Requirements:
Work may require minimal to moderate physical exertion during instruction , such as walking long distance or lifting heavy objects up to 50 pounds.Should hold a current and valid state issued Driver's License. (SHOW PROOF of driver's license)Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and step at which the candidate will be placed. The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Monday through Friday; 7:
30 am to 4:
00 pm or as agreed upon with the possibility of extended hours and weekends. NOTE:
Candidates must be willing to work weekends, irregular work hours and extended hours. The candidate must be willing to be assigned to other related services and/or locations, if necessary. Financial Disclosure:
Not Required This is a Bargaining Unit Position. IF PATIENT NEEDS ARISE, THE INCUMBENT OF THE ABOVE POSITION MAY BE REASSIGNED WITHIN THE CENTRAL TEXAS VETERANS HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. 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:
Citizenship:
Citizen of the United States. (Non-Citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3g this part). Education:
(1) The individual must have earned:
(a) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology and industrial arts education, or health care 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:
1. 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).2. One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15-18 semester hours).3. A certificate in the core curriculum in orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy or low vision therapy from an accredited college or university and a directly related practicum/internship in the occupation, either included in the degree or post-degree. Certification:
Required at GS-11 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, related professional credential in special education, rehabilitation, or health care.(2) BRSs 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 (formerly Rehabilitation Teaching) - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT)(c) Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT)(d) Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist (CATIS) Physical Requirements. See VA Directive and Handbook 5019. English Language Proficiency. BRSs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j. 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 2 grade interval structure for professional/scientific professionals found in VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G17.(1) GS-9 (Entry Level)(a) Certification. No certification required at this level. (b) Education and Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of 1 year of experience or completion of 2 full years of progressive graduate education or a master's degree in a field directly related to the position. The candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
(c) Demonstrated KSAs1. Knowledge of policies and procedures of the blind/vision rehabilitation service. 2. Knowledge of administration and interpretation of assessments and evaluations in blind/vision rehabilitation. 3. Ability to develop a basic written blind/vision rehabilitation plan from assessment results and develop more complex plans with consultation from supervisor. 4. Skill in instructing Veterans and families in a meaningful rehabilitation program and applying blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic techniques. 5. Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision prosthetic devices for Veterans within the scope of practice. 6. Ability to serve as team coordinator for assigned Veterans during their rehabilitation programs. (d) Assignment. Individuals at this grade level serve as 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 Veterans cases. (3) GS-11 (Full Performance Level for BRSs) (a) Certification Required1. Staff BRS. Candidates must meet the certification requirements in paragraph 2c (1) above. BRS (GS-11) must have one certification from ACVREP or a related, equivalent, professional certification. (b) Education and Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, the position requires completion of 1 year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the next lower grade of GS-9 in Federal Service or 3 years progressively complex experience post completion of Bachelor's Degree; or 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Doctoral Degree; or Doctoral Degree in Blind Rehabilitation or a directly related field. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-9 level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following professional KSAs:
(c) Demonstrated KSAs 1. Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation. 2. Ability to properly assess a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions. 3. Ability to write a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes. 4. Knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles. 5. Ability to employ interventions, unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan. 6. Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for patients within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required. 7. Ability to plan, direct, and distribute work assignments to volunteers, assistants and, interns and/or BRSs at lower grade levels and perform assigned mentoring duties for staff, students, and interns. References:
VA Handbook 5005/109, Part II, Appendix G41. Physical Requirements:
Work may require minimal to moderate physical exertion during instruction , such as walking long distance or lifting heavy objects up to 50 pounds.Should hold a current and valid state issued Driver's License. (SHOW PROOF of driver's license)Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the selected candidate's education and experience and recommend the grade and step at which the candidate will be placed. The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the selected candidate.
- Department:
0601 General Health Science - Salary Range:
$51,905 to $83,210 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
|
|
 | |
