Blind Rehabilitation Specialist

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.

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-9 to GS-11.

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 appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• 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:

• 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®).
• Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS®).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic and education requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates:

BRS, GS-9 (Entry Level)

(1) Experience. Bachelor's degree and completion of one year of experience (see Creditable 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.

BRS, GS-11 (Full performance level)

(1) Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade (see Creditable Experience);
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 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.

Creditable Experience: To be creditable, the experience must demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with current blind and vision rehabilitation practice, as outlined in the current scope and standards of practice for blind and vision rehabilitation. Applicants may have one or more of the following:

1. The equivalent of one year of active practice. Active practice means paid/non-paid employment (VA or Non-VA) as a Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (BRS) or Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS).
2. Academic course work leading to an advanced degree in blind or vision rehabilitation or closely related rehabilitation therapeutic intervention program (see Graduate Education).

Preferred Experience: An Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (CVRT) Certification from ACRVEP.

Physical Requirements: Requires regular and recurring exertion such as standing, ascending, and descending stairs, or walking for up to two continuous hours; frequent bending; reaching above the shoulder; medium lifting and carrying (up to 40 pounds), pushing or pulling objects.