The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC) is a residential facility located at the Palo Alto Division of the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). The WBRC provides supports and services annually to visually impaired veterans and active-duty service members. The WBRC embraces an inter-disciplinary approach to the treatment of visual impairment so that program participants receive the full complement of services. This is an open continuous vacancy announcement that will be used to fill vacancies as they occur. To receive consideration for vacancies, applicants must submit complete applications prior to the established cut-off date(s). An initial cut-off will take place on April 20, 2023 to begin initial applicant consideration. Applications received after the initial cut-off date will be considered upon receipt of the next cut-off date. The established cutoff dates are as follows:: April 20th, 2023 May 4, 2023 May 18th, 2023 June 1, 2023; and June 15, 2023 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 (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, 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. c. Certification. Required at the GS-11 grade level and above. 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. 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®). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: BRS, GS-9 (Entry Level) Experience. Bachelor's degree and completion of one year of experience. OR, Education. Completion of at least two full years of progressive graduate education or a master's degree in a field directly related to the position Certification. No certification is required at this level. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the education and experience above the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: (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. BRS, GS-11 Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one yearof progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade. OR 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. 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. 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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-41The 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-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: The incumbent is required to sit most of the day with some walking, standing, bending, lifting to 35 pounds, and carrying of lightweight items. ["While some WBRC patients manifest only vision loss as their medical condition others have multiple medical, psychological, and/or cognitive conditions in addition to vision loss; the CAT Blind Rehabilitation Specialist must identify the difficulties confronting the patient, the barriers to treatment, and develop and provide interventions designed to enhance the blind rehabilitation process. The complexity of the impact of vision loss often necessitates innovative approaches to resolve critical issues in the provision of effective rehabilitation. 1.The incumbent reviews and interprets pertinent patient documentation and records, pre-admission. 2.The incumbent serves as Patient Coordinator for each patient assigned to their caseload Serving as a patient/team liaison, an information resource, and an advocate. 3.The incumbent independently assesses, plans, and instructs in the CATS Department and teaches the skills necessary to use specialized access software/equipment in order to operate a computer. This Specialist evaluates the ability of the veteran to magnification, synthetic speech, voice recognition or Braille access devices in order to perform word processing functions and other computer related activities 4.The incumbent assesses the patient's background, interests, future plans, motivation, needs, and aptitude; evaluates the patient's functional visual capabilities, determines appropriate instructional techniques, implements training plans, and continues to reassess patient's needs and goal attainment throughout the rehabilitation process. 5.The incumbent must be well versed in on-the-phone technical support for patients post-discharge, as well as on ward technical support for CAT program participants and co-workers within the CAT Department. In addition, the incumbent must have the ability to instruct the use of the JAWS, ZoomText, as well as Zoom and Voiceover on the current Apple mobile and tablet computing devices. 6.The incumbent documents, in accordance with established recording standards and procedures, all services performed on behalf of the patient: on-going progress, issues as they occur, steps towards issue resolution, and current treatment plan. 7.The incumbent attends general staff meetings, actively participating in all team meetings and preparing a treatment plan, progress notes and summaries for inclusion in the final summary as required by the center's policy and procedures. 8.The incumbent assists in the research and evaluation of new devices and techniques for inclusion into the team curriculum, and helping to evaluate prosthetic devices relevant to CAT. 9.The incumbent adheres to the WBRC Safety Protocols with respect to proper maintenance of equipment 10.The incumbent performs research task commensurate with skills as well as submit required statistical information and data in accordance with established WBRC statistical reporting procedures. 11.Performing other duties as assigned; these include but are not limited to membership in WBRC committees, process action teams, service programs, research projects, and clinical initiatives. Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 0730-1600 Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
