Summary

The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (BRS) position located at the VA New Jersey Healthcare System provides care and services to enhance the quality of life for individuals with vision loss through participation in a comprehensive and individualized rehabilitation program - so they may successfully re-integrate back into their community and family environments. The primary purpose of this position is to provide vision rehabilitation services for Veterans and Service Members with visual impairment.

Qualifications

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
• 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
• Education - The individual must have earned: 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- 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
• 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: Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (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
• -AND- Certification - Certification is required at this grade level and above
• BRSs at the GS-11 grade level must have at least one certification from ACVREP or a related - equivalent - professional certification in Low Vision Therapy
• -AND- Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs) - 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 Therapist Certification
• Experience providing patient care in Low Vision therapy
• Ability to guide patients in adapting to vision loss and to interact with other Eye Care providers
• Working knowledge of technology devices to improve functional vision
• 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: See VA Handbook 5019

Duties

• This position works in both an inpatient and outpatient setting at the Lyons Medical Center as well as the East Orange and Toms River Community-Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC)
• This position does require occasional transport of Veterans in the community and other locations as needed and home visits
• Duties to include - but are not limited to: Assessing the patient's background - interests - future plans - motivation - needs and capabilities for low vision therapy Working with team members to develop a training plan based on low vision therapy assessment results - patient goals and needs Evaluating (with other team members) the veteran's mental ability - tactual perception - memory - spelling - study habits - as well as adaptive technology capacity Using effective interviewing techniques to obtain information pertaining to the veteran's low vision adjustment - deficits - interests and aptitudes in assessment of specific skill areas Using tools to evaluate functional vision under the supervision of optometrist/ophthalmologist to assess visual acuity - contrast sensitivity - visual-motor functioning and literacy skills in reading and writing Evaluation of optical/non-optical/electronic devices for enhancing residual vision at near - intermediate and far distances Evaluation and training of veterans in the use of illumination - glare control and contrast techniques to optimize the use of optical devices - in all tasks of daily living Evaluation of appropriate devices prescribed by the eye care professional Providing training on specific visual motor skills - which include the identification and use of a preferred retinal locus for fixation and accurate eye movements Providing training in the use of adaptive equipment that enhances visual function and/or compensates for loss of vision
• This may include use of large print - reading stands - lighting management - writing aids - software and electronic devices Evaluating each veteran's safety habits and self-confidence while performing tasks related to low vision therapy Providing consultation and vision rehabilitation instruction to VA staff - family members - etc. - as appropriate Counseling veterans regarding the advantages and limitations of various low vision therapy techniques and adaptive devices - as well as the veteran's potential and progress Recommending - training and ordering prosthetic devices to meet individual needs Evaluating the veteran's ability to utilize residual vision for computer access Presenting in-services and consultations about low vision therapy and blind rehabilitation Documenting the patient's treatment plan - progress and barriers to training Attending and actively participating in staff/team meetings and serving as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team Maintaining 5.0 data - as directed by VA Blind Rehabilitation Assisting in the research of new devices and techniques for inclusion into the Blind Rehabilitation program Keeping abreast of current literature - teaching strategies and technological advances in Low Vision Therapy Completing required hours for VA educational training Performing other duties - as assigned Work Schedule: Full Time - Monday-Friday 8 AM - 4:30PM Telework: Available on an Ad-Hoc basis in accordance with agency policies
• Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized