Summary The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (BRS) - Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) Coordinator is organizationally located at the Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rehabilitation Services Division, and Advanced Low Vision Clinic (ALVC). Responsibilities Major Duties: Provides outreach and education to Milwaukee VA medical and non-VA agencies. Plans, develops, implements, directs and evaluates the Visual Impairment Service (VIS) Team program at the VHA sites within his or her catchment area. Major responsibility for the coordination of all services for visually impaired Veterans and their families through the Visual Impairment Services Team. Works in the assigned area with the general supervision of the Program Manager of Rehabilitation Services. Acts as a subject matter expert in the blind/vision rehabilitation field and acts as a case manager to the blind and visually impaired. Provides eligible Veterans on the VIST roster with an initial benefits review, and subsequent annual benefits reviews thereafter. Plans and implements appropriate patient education programs and support groups involving the patient, family and significant others in the instructional process. Interpreting documentation prior to admission, interpreting evaluations, assessments, medical and other appropriate professional documentation on an on-going basis during the patient's rehabilitation program, interpreting policies and directives to Veterans, assessing the patient's background, interests, motivation and needs when setting goals, recommending appropriate therapy referral to meet the Veteran's goals, documenting in the electronic medical record, sending consults appropriately, including family members as appropriate, keeping abreast of current literature, and to perform other duties as assigned. Completes all patient care documentation in accordance with rehabilitation policy. Submits necessary reports to Program Manager of the Advanced Low Vision Clinic, attends staff meetings, team meetings, attends in-service training courses deemed necessary by the Program Manager of the Advanced Low Vision Clinic. Assists in providing patient coverage for absent staff members to ensure continuity and quality of care. Follows established Program and Division policies and procedures related to fire, disaster, and security measures. Follows established procedures and policies in hazardous material handling/communication, equipment safety, infection control/universal fluid precautions, and other safety procedures that have been developed for the Advanced Low Vision Clinic. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday 8:00AM-4:30PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details. Qualifications 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: Applicants 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. Certification: 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. BRS 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 certification via the ACVREP OR Individuals appointed based on experience as a Social Worker must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master's degree level. A doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the master's degree in social work, OR Certification via the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, (CRC), OR Individuals appointed based on experience in other health care occupations must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice in their field. GS-9 (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. Certification: No certification is required at this level. Demonstrated 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 (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. Certification: VIST Coordinator candidates must meet the certification requirements in paragraph 3c(3) above. 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 may be credentialed/certified through any of the following: (a) Certification via the ACVREP; (b) Licensure via the Social Worker Licensure Board; (c) Certification via the CRCC; OR (d) 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.] Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to meeting the KSA's described at the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSA's: [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 Grade Level (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. Certification: VIST Coordinators must meet the certification requirements listed above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): In addition to meeting the KSA's described at the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSA's: Skill to effectively 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. Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for therapeutic interventions. Skill in writing a blind vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines and contains observable measurable goals that identify specific outcomes. Knowledge of VA /non VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs. Skill in interpersonal relationships 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 and refer Veterans to suitable training programs. 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, Part II, Appendix G41 Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Qualification Standard Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.