Career Center

The primary purpose of this position is to provide blind and vision rehabilitation services for visually impaired Veterans and Service members. Blind Rehabilitation includes the disciplines of low vision therapy, orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, manual skills instruction and technology, including computer access instruction. 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. Note: Students graduating this spring are encouraged to apply for the GS 9 Entry level. BASIC REQUIREMENTS Citizenship. Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.g., of 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, 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. Certification. Required at the GS-11 grade level 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, closely related professional credential in special education or rehabilitation. NOTE: The ACVREP administers four certification programs: Low Vision Therapy, Orientation and Mobility, Assistive Technology Instruction and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. 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®). English Language Proficiency. Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who are not proficient in written and spoken English. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Grade Determinations: BRS, GS-9 [(Entry Level)] (1) Experience. Bachelor's degree and completion of one year of experience. OR, (2) 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. (3) Certification. No certification is required at this level. (4) 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. (5) Assignment. Individuals at this grade level serve as [entry level] 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 [Veteran cases.] BRS, GS-11 NOTE: (Full performance level for BRS who are not VIST Coordinators.) (1) Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade. OR, (2) 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. (3) 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. (4) 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. (5) Assignments. This is the full performance level for BRSs who are not VIST Coordinators. References: Blind Rehabilitation Specialist as defined in VA Handbook 5005/48, Part II, Appendix G 41, Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Qualification Standard GS-601 Veterans Health Administration. The 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-11 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service. ["This position is located in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VA Healthcare-VISN 4, VA Medical Center, Lebanon, PA, Medicine, Visual Impairment Services Outpatient Rehabilitation (VISOR) Program. The incumbent is an O&M Specialist in the VISOR Program, which serves both Medical Center patients and patients referred from the Veteran Integrated Service Network (VISN) The Orientation & Mobility Specialist job duties include:\n1. Assesses the patient to dete1mine extent of all residual sensorium, the potential to benefit from training and which prosthetic devices are indicated to meet individual patient needs.\n2. Assessing the patient's background, interest, future plans, motivation, and capabilities for training with regard to the vision rehabilitation discipline.\n3. Interprets the results of assessments and designs an individually tailored Orientation & Mobility program to meet the patient's needs.\n4. Is the provider for issuance of Orientation & Mobility related prosthetic equipment.\n5. Plans and instructs the patient on the use of safety techniques, proper use and maintenance of all Orientation & Mobility prosthetic devices.\n6. Functions as an allied rehabilitation treatment team member.\n7. Plans and instructs the patient's family member or caregiver.\n8. Provides knowledge of patient to team members regarding Orientation & Mobility outcomes and describes utilization of devices to promote integration of devices into the other disciplines.\n9. Serves as Patient Treatment Coordinator of assigned veterans' overall blind rehabilitation experiences and intervenes as needed.\n10. Provides Orientation & Mobility outcome data for administrative analysis to ensure effective Orientation & Mobility Programs.\n11. Follow all Blind Rehabilitation Service and Lebanon VA Medical Center established accountability procedures.\n12. Perform all the above i1Tespective of the setting and/or program to which worker is assigned.\n13. Record, report and otherwise document as necessary in accordance with established recording standards and procedures, all services performed on behalf of patients and their families.\n14. Completes required hams of VA education/mandatory training and interprets policies and directives pertaining to patients assigned to the rehabilitation team.\n15. Providing instruction to Veterans in other skill areas in which the Orientation & Mobility Specialist has been cross trained.\n16. Responsibility as designated by the Chief, VISOR Program or designee. These include, but are not limited to membership in Committees, clinical initiatives and other duties as assigned. Work Schedule:: M-F 8:00 am - 4:30 pm; or other Tour of Duty may be considered upon approval by supervisor; Saturday or Sunday may be required 7-9 times per year when covering residential program sessions. The position will involve home care which has an average drive time of 1-2 hours (1 way), 1-2 days per week. Telework: Not available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]