Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (Service Chief)
The mission of the Visual Impairment Services Outpatient Rehabilitation (VISOR) Program is the provision of comprehensive, individualized patient instructional programs designed to increase independence and improve the quality of life for Veterans who have visual impairment. The VISOR program offers adaptive training in the areas of living skills, communications, leisure and manual skills, computer access, technology, orientation and mobility, and low vision therapy to help patients manage life with vision loss. The incumbent is the Chief, responsible for overall planning, developing, implementing, directing, supervising, evaluating, and continuously updating vision and blindness rehabilitation services for the patients served by the Medical Center and patients referred from the Veteran Integrated Service Network (VISN.) As Chief of the VISOR program, duties include but are not limited to:
Managing all day to day routine operations of the VISOR. Maintaining a screening process to manage, approve, disapprove applications as appropriate. Ensuring that program waiting list complies with VA requirements. Managing and coordinating patient admissions in cooperation with other VAMC elements. Developing and implementing the vision rehabilitation experience for each Veteran. Coordinating team meetings for planning and developing program goals and objectives for the program. Planning for and scheduling Veterans within the program. Collaborating and consulting with Medical Center personnel regarding the Veteran's care and needs for coordinated treatment, especially Veterans with multiple disabilities. Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday 7:
45AM - 4:
30PM Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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:
(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, 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:
l- 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). ll- 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. NOTE:
The ACVREP administers four certification programs:
Low Vision Therapy, Orientation and Mobility, Assistive Technology Instruction and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. They may then use the designation for the certification they hold (as listed in subparagraph (2)) below:
(2) 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 ). (3) BRS Advanced Practitioners at the GS-13 grade level must possess two certifications awarded by ACVREP. (4) 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:
a. Any certification via the ACVREP, OR, b. 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. If appointed as a VIST Coordinator, Social Workers are appointed to the GS-0601 series, but must still maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment, OR, c. Certification via the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, (CRC), OR, d. Individuals appointed based on experience in other health care occupations must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice in their field. If appointed as a VIST Coordinator, such individuals are appointed to the GS-0601 series, but must still maintain their full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification in their occupation to remain qualified for employment. Examples of occupations may include but are not limited to Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Grandfathering Provision. All BRSs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification(s) that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
(1) Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance Journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation. (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification(s) that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required equivalent credential(s) as a condition of employment in the occupation. (4) If a BRS who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. 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. Grade Determinations:
GS-13- Service Chief:
Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of experience as a BRS equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Certification. Candidates must meet the credentialing/certification requirements in paragraph 3c(1) and (2) above. VIST Coordinators must meet the certification requirements in 3c(3) above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-12 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
(a) Ability to supervise, motivate, and manage effectively a diverse clinical staff applicable to a small Blind Rehabilitation Center or equivalent program. (b) Skill in assessing qualifications and abilities of current and prospective employees. (c) Knowledge to apply administrative and human resources policies effectively. (d) Skill to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks and responsibilities, and manage and direct the work of others to accomplish program goals and missions. (e) Ability to adapt to new and changing work conditions, contingencies, and staffing. (f) ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled service operations through technical direction, review, analyses and evaluation of program components including productivity, and ability to manage budgets. (g) Ability to provide consultation and promote best practice procedures in blind/vision rehabilitation nationally; and serve as a national leader in the field of blind/vision rehabilitation. References:
VA Handbook 5005/109 Part 11 Appendix G41 Physical Requirements:
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Managing all day to day routine operations of the VISOR. Maintaining a screening process to manage, approve, disapprove applications as appropriate. Ensuring that program waiting list complies with VA requirements. Managing and coordinating patient admissions in cooperation with other VAMC elements. Developing and implementing the vision rehabilitation experience for each Veteran. Coordinating team meetings for planning and developing program goals and objectives for the program. Planning for and scheduling Veterans within the program. Collaborating and consulting with Medical Center personnel regarding the Veteran's care and needs for coordinated treatment, especially Veterans with multiple disabilities. Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday 7:
45AM - 4:
30PM Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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:
(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, 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:
l- 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). ll- 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. NOTE:
The ACVREP administers four certification programs:
Low Vision Therapy, Orientation and Mobility, Assistive Technology Instruction and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. They may then use the designation for the certification they hold (as listed in subparagraph (2)) below:
(2) 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 ). (3) BRS Advanced Practitioners at the GS-13 grade level must possess two certifications awarded by ACVREP. (4) 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:
a. Any certification via the ACVREP, OR, b. 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. If appointed as a VIST Coordinator, Social Workers are appointed to the GS-0601 series, but must still maintain a full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification to remain qualified for employment, OR, c. Certification via the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, (CRC), OR, d. Individuals appointed based on experience in other health care occupations must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice in their field. If appointed as a VIST Coordinator, such individuals are appointed to the GS-0601 series, but must still maintain their full, valid, and unrestricted independent license or certification in their occupation to remain qualified for employment. Examples of occupations may include but are not limited to Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Grandfathering Provision. All BRSs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification(s) that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard, but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the following provisions apply:
(1) Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the full performance Journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation. (2) Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the effective date of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment extended or be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the basic requirements of the standard. (3) Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who subsequently obtain additional education and/or certification(s) that meet all the basic requirements of this qualification standard must maintain the required equivalent credential(s) as a condition of employment in the occupation. (4) If a BRS who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation, the employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification standard requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation. 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. Grade Determinations:
GS-13- Service Chief:
Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of experience as a BRS equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Certification. Candidates must meet the credentialing/certification requirements in paragraph 3c(1) and (2) above. VIST Coordinators must meet the certification requirements in 3c(3) above. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-12 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
(a) Ability to supervise, motivate, and manage effectively a diverse clinical staff applicable to a small Blind Rehabilitation Center or equivalent program. (b) Skill in assessing qualifications and abilities of current and prospective employees. (c) Knowledge to apply administrative and human resources policies effectively. (d) Skill to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks and responsibilities, and manage and direct the work of others to accomplish program goals and missions. (e) Ability to adapt to new and changing work conditions, contingencies, and staffing. (f) ability to translate management goals and objectives into well-coordinated and controlled service operations through technical direction, review, analyses and evaluation of program components including productivity, and ability to manage budgets. (g) Ability to provide consultation and promote best practice procedures in blind/vision rehabilitation nationally; and serve as a national leader in the field of blind/vision rehabilitation. References:
VA Handbook 5005/109 Part 11 Appendix G41 Physical Requirements:
See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service.
- Department:
0601 General Health Science - Salary Range:
$94,378 to $122,694 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
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