Career Center

The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist works at the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC), a residential facility located within the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist 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. 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part. Education and Experience: 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. Grade Determinations: GS-09 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: (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. Assignment. Individuals at this grade level serve as [entry level] staff BRSs. They are responsible for intake, assessment, planning for rehabilitation, intervention, and follow-up in the content specialties. They receive guidance from experienced staff members for the most complex [Veteran cases.] GS-11 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. 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. Demonstrated 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: (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. Assignments. This is the full performance level for BRSs who are not VIST Coordinators. Assignments at this grade level include the following: (a) Staff BRS. In addition to providing services to Veterans described at the GS-9 grade level, individuals at this level have duties that typically include the following: serving as a consultant to blind/low vision rehabilitation and other medical center staff in evaluating and treating Veterans in the specialty area; serving as a mentor to other therapists who are evaluating and treating Veterans in the content specialty or program area; serving as internship supervisor to students who are completing their supervised practice; and providing in-service and clinical training programs in the content specialty or program area. (b) BRS (Sole Practice). Individuals in this assignment may serve as the only BRS at a medical center or an outpatient clinic and are responsible for independent decision-making and independent care. Individuals in this assignment serve as a member of or as consultant to a specialty care team, [and provide in-service and clinical training programs in the content specialty or program area. 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 requires the ability to cope with a variety and complexity of situations due to the diversity of patients, duties and responsibilities. The work requires patience and controlling of emotions when providing rehabilitation. ["Major duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following: Reviews and interprets all pertinent patient documentation and records, and pre-admission. Coordinating the overall blind rehabilitation experiences for a successful completion. Interpreting all VA & WBRC policies and directives to the patient. Serves the primary advocate for the veteran, communicating feelings and concerns to other members of the rehabilitation team. The incumbent evaluates 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. The incumbent documents, 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. Works with family members and/or significant others to educate and counsel about the ramifications of visual impairment. The incumbent attends 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. The incumbent assists in the research and evaluation of new devices and techniques for inclusion into the team curriculum, and helping to evaluate prosthetic devices relevant to blind rehabilitation. The incumbent adheres to the WBRC Safety Protocols with respect to proper maintenance of equipment The incumbent performs research task commensurate with skills as well as submit required statistical information and data in accordance with established WBRC statistical reporting procedures. Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm\nTelework: Not Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #: 000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: AUTHORIZED\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required Qualified candidates will be referred in the order received in USA Staffing. Cutoff dates to refer qualified candidates are as follows or as needed: May 3, 2022\nMay 17, 2022\nMay 31, 2022\nJune 14, 2022\nJune 28, 2022\nJuly 12, 2022."]