Blind Rehab Specialist - Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT)

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.

English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in written and spoken English.

Education:

The individual must have earned: ( Transcripts must be submitted)

(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 2 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:

• 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).
• One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15 - 18 semester hours).
• 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.

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. (Must submit professional certification) 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.

BRS who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows:

• Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS®).
• Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®).
• Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®). (Preferred Certification)
• Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS®)

Grade Determinations: BRS, GS-11 (Full performance level )
Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of 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 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:

• Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation.
• Ability to properly assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions.
• Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes.
• Skill in instructional methods and learning principles.
• Ability to employ interventions and unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan.
• Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for Veterans within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required.

Preferred Experience: Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®).

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Work is active and on occasions physical dependent upon the level of instructions that need to be given to the patients. It requires some light lifting less that 25lbs., such as walking, bending, and stooping. Work involves exposure to patients in an inpatient Medical Center. No special physical requirements need to be met.