Summary

This Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (VIST Coordinator) position is in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation services at the White River Junction VA Medical Center - located at the White River Junction - VT location.

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• U.S. Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy
• English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. Chapters 73 or 74 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 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
• Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment - the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates
• BRS GS-9 BRS (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
• AND - Certification: No certification is required at this level
• AND - Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to the education and experience above the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Knowledge of policies and procedures of the blind/vision rehabilitation service
• Knowledge of administration and interpretation of assessments and evaluations in blind/vision rehabilitation
• Ability to develop a basic written blind/vision rehabilitation plan from assessment results and develop more complex plans with consultation from supervisor
• Skill in instructing [Veterans] and families in a meaningful rehabilitation program and applying blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic techniques
• Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision prosthetic devices for Veterans within the scope of practice
• Ability to serve as team coordinator for assigned Veterans during their rehabilitation programs
• GS-11 VIST (Developmental Level): Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level
• 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: VIST Coordinator candidates must meet the following certification requirements: BRSs who are VIST Coordinators may be drawn from traditional blind/vision rehabilitation backgrounds and from counseling backgrounds such as social work - vocational rehabilitation counseling - etc
• VIST Coordinators must be credentialed/certified through any of the following: Certification via the ACVREP
• OR Appointments based on experience as a Social Worker: Applicant must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level
• If appointed as a VIST Coordinator - Social Workers must still maintain a full - valid - and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment (Licensure via the Social Worker Licensure Board)
• OR Certification via the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor - (CRC) (Certification via the CRCC)
• OR Appointments based on experience in other health care occupations: Applicant must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice in their field
• If appointed as a VIST Coordinator - Individuals must still maintain a full - valid - and unrestricted independent license or certification in their occupation to remain qualified for employment
• (Equivalent and relevant professional credential in counseling or rehabilitation)
• Examples of other health care occupations may include but are not limited to Marriage and Family Therapists or Licensed Mental Health Counselors
• AND - Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-9 grade level - the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: Ability to communicate both orally and in writing with staff at all organizational levels
• with Veterans and their family members
• with community groups
• and individuals with varying degrees of understanding about visual impairment
• Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions
• Ability to write a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable - measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes
• Knowledge of VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs
• Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients - employees - other team leaders - managers and other stakeholders
• Knowledge of psychological - rehabilitation - and counseling theories and principles
• Ability to coordinate with various resources to identify suitable training programs
• GS-12 (VIST Coordinator-Full Performance Level): Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements - completion of a minimum of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to GS-11 grade level
• AND - Certification: VIST Coordinator candidates must meet the following certification requirements: BRSs who are VIST Coordinators may be drawn from traditional blind/vision rehabilitation backgrounds and from counseling backgrounds such as social work - vocational rehabilitation counseling - etc
• VIST Coordinators must be credentialed/certified through any of the following: Certification via the ACVREP
• OR Appointments based on experience as a Social Worker: Applicant must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level
• If appointed as a VIST Coordinator - Social Workers must still maintain a full - valid - and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment (Licensure via the Social Worker Licensure Board)
• OR Certification via the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor - (CRC) (Certification via the CRCC)
• OR Appointments based on experience in other health care occupations: Applicant must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice in their field
• If appointed as a VIST Coordinator - Individuals must still maintain a full - valid - and unrestricted independent license or certification in their occupation to remain qualified for employment
• (Equivalent and relevant professional credential in counseling or rehabilitation)
• Examples of other health care occupations may include but are not limited to Marriage and Family Therapists or Licensed Mental Health Counselors
• AND - ****QUALIFICATIONS CONTINUED IN THE EDUCATION AREA****

Duties

• The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (VIST Coordinator) position requires knowledge of the concepts - principles - and practices of blind and vision rehabilitation and the use of assessments - therapies - and technologies to improve the independent function - quality of life and adjustment for Veterans who are blind or visually impaired
• A Blind Rehabilitation Specialist functions independently in a number of settings including hospitals - clinics - rehabilitation centers - long-term care facilities - educational institutions and home environments
• Duties may include - but are not limited to: Provides direct patient care and support services to an adult population of patients
• Disciplines of low vision therapy - orientation and mobility - vision rehabilitation therapy - manual skills instruction and computer access instruction
• Evaluating and assessing needs - capabilities and limitations - goal setting and prescribing a treatment plan for individuals experiencing blindness/visual impairment caused by injury or disease
• Works as part of a team coordinating care for blind and visually impaired veterans
• Responsible for developing and coordinating the veteran's Interdisciplinary Plan of Care (IPOC) with input from the Veteran and all team members
• Studies visual and non-visual barriers and related processes that result in activity limitations - participation restrictions - loss of vocational and avocational opportunities - and psychological distress
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Full-time - Monday - Friday - 08:00 am - 04:30 pm Compressed/Flexible: Not authorized Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: F06182 for GS-09 - F06185 for the GS-11 - and F06186 for the GS-12 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized PCS Appraised Value Offer (AVO): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not Required Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases
• When setting pay - a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade)
• Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave - 13 days of sick leave - 11 paid Federal holidays per year)
• Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual - based on prior [work experience] or military service experience
• Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment - up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth - adoption - or foster care placement of a child
• Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment - full time employees with a total family income below $144 -000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66
• Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA
• Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement)
• Notifications: This position is covered by locality-based comparability pay
• This position is in the Excepted Service
• This position is a AFGE Bargaining Unit position