The position provides inpatient low vision therapies, through the Visual Skills Department, to Veterans and active duty service members who are enrolled in an inpatient rehabilitation program at the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC). Most duties are performed within the WBRC, on VA grounds, and occasionally in the surrounding community. The WBRC is a 32 bed inpatient facility providing comprehensive and specialty blind and low vision rehabilitation, located in Palo Alto, California.
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: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d), and 7407(d). Education: 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. (2) Blind Rehabilitation Specialists (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®). 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: BRS, GS-9: (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. BRS, GS-11: (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. 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. 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. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring exertion such as standing or walking; frequent bending, reaching, stooping to set up and take apart equipment and apparatus; lifting and repositioning patient's equipment and pushing or pulling heavy objects. The work may require special physical characteristics and abilities such as above average dexterity to perform intricate procedures. The work environment may be nan office, clinical setting, computer classroom, VA grounds and/or hospitals. Typically the employee sits comfortably to do the work; however, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying of light items, such as papers and books.
The Visual Skills Instructor is responsible for functioning as a full member of an interdisciplinary rehabilitation team. The team is responsible for the rehabilitation care for of assigned patients. The incumbent assesses the patient's background, interests, future plans, motivation, needs, and aptitude; evaluates the patient's functional visual capabilities with standard low vision optical, electronic, and non-optical devices; determines appropriate instructional techniques, implements training plans, and continues to reassess patient's needs and goal attainment throughout the rehabilitation program; creates an individualized rehabilitation plan, prepares progress notes and patient treatment summaries documenting patient progress, problems and actions taken to resolve difficulties, changes in treatment plan, and discharge summaries. The incumbent applies a working knowledge of eye physiology, disorders of visual perception, and has the ability to counsel and educate the patient, family members, clinical trainees, as well as other designated VA employees; act as patient coordinator on behalf of the treatment team; participate in staff meetings, serve as department lead in the absence of the supervisor, and fulfills other duties as assigned. The Visual Skills Instructor works with Veterans and Active Duty Service Members whose vision has been affected by conditions such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataract, albinism, retinitis pigmentosa, brain injury, and other causes of vision impairment. The incumbent also works with low vision Optometry to communicate type and severity of visual impairment to patient, caregivers and team members. While some WBRC patients manifest only vision loss as their medical condition others have multiple medical, psychological, and/or cognitive conditions in addition to vision loss; the Blind Rehabilitation Specialist must identify the difficulties confronting the patient, the barriers to treatment, and develop and provide interventions designed to enhance the blind rehabilitation process. The complexity of the impact of vision loss often necessitates innovative approaches to resolve critical issues in the provision of effective rehabilitation. Specific Responsibilities include: Reviewing and interpretation of all pertinent patient documentation and records, pre-admission. Evaluating the patient's current visual functioning utilizing specialized tests and procedures to determine the extent of residual vision, functional loss, potential to benefit from low vision intervention with training and devices, and to determine individual needs as well as to provide information to other professional staff for treatment planning purposes. Documenting, in accordance with established recording standards and procedures, all services performed on behalf of the patient: on-going progress, issues as they occur, steps towards issue resolution, and current treatment plan. Conducting an educational program for the patient's family member or significant other to assist them in obtaining a better understanding of the patient's sight loss; this includes an in-depth explanation of low vision instruction and counseling the participant regarding the patient's visual capability by utilizing visual simulators and any adaptive techniques and/or devices used during training. Attending general staff meetings, actively participating in all team meetings and preparing a treatment plan, progress notes and summaries for inclusion in the final summary as required by the center's policy and procedures. Assisting in the development of low vision discipline instructional material for each of the low vision prosthetic devices being issued by the center as well as newly approved devices that will be issued in the future. Adheres to the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) Low Vision Code of Ethics. Adheres to the WBRC safety protocols with respect to proper maintenance of optometric equipment and low vision devices. Performing other duties as assigned; these include but are not limited to membership in WBRC committees, process action teams, service programs, research projects, and clinical initiatives. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized