The Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS) works in the Eye Service - Operative Care Division at the Vancouver, WA campus under the Portland VA Health Care System. 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. Education and Experience (1) The individual 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, [or a closely] related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology, and industrial arts education; OR, (b) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, [or a closely] related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology, and industrial arts education; OR, (c) A bachelor's [or master's] degree from an accredited college or university (without a major field of study as outlined in (1)(a) and (b) above) and obtained 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. This education must have included supervised practice; and (d) Completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the BRS, GS-9 grade level; OR, (e) Three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a doctoral degree in blind rehabilitation or a directly related field. (2) 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 all levels. (1) Applicants must possess at least one active, current, full, and unrestricted certification to be eligible for appointment. (2) An applicant who has, or ever had his/her certification suspended, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 3, Section B, Paragraph 16 of this part. An applicant who has or has ever had a certification revoked or terminated for cause, or voluntarily relinquished such certification after being notified in writing by the State of potential revocation or termination for cause, is ineligible for employment and must be removed from the GS-0601 series. This applies even if the applicant possesses one or more valid certifications or registration (38 U.S.C. ? 7402(f)). NOTE: The Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) administers [four (4)] certification programs: Low Vision Therapy, Orientation, and Mobility, [Certified Assistive Technology Instructions Specialist] and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. They may then use the designation for the certification they hold (as listed in subparagraph (2)) below: (3) BROS who provide the following services must obtain and maintain one certification at the GS-11 grade level and two certifications at the GS-12 grade level 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 Specialist (CATIS?)]. English Language Proficiency. Candidates who are not proficient in written and spoken English will not be appointed to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA under the authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74. 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: BROS, GS-11 (Entry level) (1) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) Certification. Candidates must meet the certification requirements in subparagraph 2c above (at least one certification from ACVREP). (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all [of] 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 a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions. (c) Skill in development and writing of a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes. (d) Knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles. (e) Ability to employ interventions, unusual motivational techniques, and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan. (f) Skill in recommending appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for patients within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required. (g) Ability to plan, direct, and distribute work assignments to volunteers, assistants, interns, and/or BRSs at lower grade levels and perform assigned mentoring duties for staff, students, and interns. BROS, GS-12 (Full Performance Level) (1) Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of 1 year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level is required. (2) Certification. Candidates must meet the certification requirements in subparagraph 3c above. BROS at the GS-12 grade level must achieve two ACVREP certifications to demonstrate full mastery in two areas of blind rehabilitation. (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the KSAs at the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must fully demonstrate all [of] the following KSAs: (a) Skill to independently develop, plan, and administer complex treatment programs. (b) Ability to act as a subject matter expert in the blind/vision rehabilitation field, and as consultant, supervisor, and/or mentor in evaluating and treating patients in specialty or program areas. (c) Ability to coordinate, motivate, and effectively manage staff and/or committee members to include organizing work, setting priorities, and delegating tasks and responsibilities. (d) Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as a consultant or mentor. (e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders. (f) Ability to identify team group dynamics, objectively observe, and modify behaviors. (g) Ability to apply decision-making principles to adjust programs on a day-to-day basis, to develop short-term and long-range goals, and to plan for future utilization of resources. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/110 PART II APPENDIX G42 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12. Physical Requirements: Moderate lifting and carrying 15-44 pounds. Use of fingers, Hearing (aid permitted). Mental and emotional stability required. Environmental Factors: Outside and inside. Working closely with others. Working alone. ["The duties of this position include but are not limited to the following: Responsible to provide all in Clinic Low Vision Therapy for the Advanced Low Vision Clinic in all locations to include: Portland, Bend, Salem, and Vancouver. Responsible to provide all in Clinic Low Vision Therapy for the Advanced Low Vision Clinic in all locations to include: Portland, Bend, Salem, and Vancouver. Manage and provide direct blind and vision rehabilitation training services to visually impaired Veterans and Servicemembers. Identifies, assesses trains manages and provides follow-up for Veterans using clinical resources of the facility. Is a member of the Blind Rehabilitation Service, the interdisciplinary Visual Impairment Services Team. Interacts with Rehabilitation Medicine, Audiology, Social Work, Prosthetic and Sensory Aids, and other Services and agencies of the VA and the community. Works in collaboration with regional VA Blind Rehabilitation Centers (BRC) to provide initial assessments and training and recommended follow up training post BRC discharge. May also be a member of the polytrauma team at polytrauma centers and sites. Functions independently in a number of settings including hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, educational institutions and home environments. May be required to travel to meet the needs of Veterans and Servicemembers in the VA Portland Health Care System catchment area. Address the following skill areas which are orientation and mobility, low vision therapy, vision rehabilitation therapy, computer assisted training and manual skills training. Work Schedule: Various schedules available to include: 8-hour tours, 10-hour compressed tours. Compressed/Flexible: Available Telework: Ad-hoc Telework Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: May be authorized for highly qualified candidates. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
