Blind Rehab Specialist (VIST Coordinator)

Summary The Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Program Coordinator is located in the VA Tampa James A. Haley Healthcare System. The VIST Coordinator is responsible for administering the VIST program as well as providing case management and adjustment counseling to blind / severely visually impaired Veterans – their families and Service members in the medical center's catchment area. Qualifications 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: Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. Education: 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 or a closely related program (e.g., rehabilitation, special education for the visually impaired, family and consumer science education, technology and industrial arts education) OR a bachelor’s degree in any major supplemented by at least 30 semester hours of directly related upper‑level undergraduate courses (e.g., 200‑course level or higher). 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 one of the core curricula: orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, assistive technology for blind and visually impaired individuals, or low vision therapy, plus a directly related practicum/internship. Foreign graduates must have proof of a minimum bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (or foreign equivalent verified through an independent credential evaluation company) with a specialization in blind rehabilitation. Certification: Required at the GS‑11 grade level and above. 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 an equivalent closely related credential in special education or rehabilitation. The ACVREP administers four certification programs: Low Vision Therapy; Orientation and Mobility; Assistive Technology Instruction; Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS) – for service orientation and mobility training. Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT) – for communication and daily living therapy. Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT) – for low vision therapy. Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS) – for assistive technology. BRS Advanced Practitioners at the GS‑13 grade level must possess two certifications awarded by ACVREP. BRS VIST Coordinators may be drawn from traditional blind/vision rehabilitation backgrounds or from counseling backgrounds such as social work, vocational rehabilitation counseling, etc. VIST Coordinators must be credentialed/certified through any ACVREP certification OR be social workers licensed or certified by a state to independently practice social work at the master’s degree level. A doctoral degree in social work does not substitute for a master’s degree. If appointed as a VIST Coordinator, social workers receive the GS‑0601 series designation but must maintain a full, valid, unrestricted independent license or certification. Certification via the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) – Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). Individuals appointed based on experience in other health care occupations must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice in their field. Examples include Marriage and Family Therapist or Licensed Mental Health Counselor. English Language Proficiency: Candidates will not be appointed under 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74 to serve in a direct patient‑care capacity in VHA if they are not proficient in written and spoken English. See Chapter 2 – Section D – Paragraph 5a of this part for additional guidance. Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates: GS‑11 (VIST Coordinator) must have: Experience equivalent to GS‑9 grade level and meet the certification requirements. GS‑12 (VIST Coordinator‑Full Performance Level) must have: Experience equivalent to GS‑11 grade level and meet the certification requirements. While essay‑style responses to the Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAOs) are no longer required, you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the competencies necessary to perform the work of the position. Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training claimed; otherwise you will not receive credit for the experience/education/training you claim. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA): Effectively communicate orally and in writing with staff at all organizational levels, Veterans and their family members, community groups, and individuals with varying degrees of understanding. Assess Veterans with diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for therapeutic interventions. Write a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines and contains observable, measurable goals that identify specific outcomes. Knowledge of VA and non‑VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs. Skill in interpersonal relationships when dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders. Knowledge of psychological, rehabilitation, and counseling theories and principles. Coordinate with various resources to identify and refer Veterans to suitable training programs. Apply decision‑making principles to adjust programs on a day‑to‑day basis, develop short‑term and long‑term goals, and plan for future utilization of resources. References: VA Regulations – specifically VA Handbook 5005/109 Part II Appendix G41 – Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Qualification Standard. Duties The Visual Impairment Service Team Coordinator case‑manages patient care and support services to an adult population of patients, characterized by a significant number of older male/female patients and young OEF/OIF/OND Veterans who may have wound and trauma related vision loss. Participant age averages 73.2 years (range 39–95) with the majority being male (98.6%). Tailor patient care and support services to meet the individual needs of each patient. Assess each patient’s needs and ensure delivery of responsive services. Plan, develop, implement, direct, evaluate, and administer the VIS Team Program at the San Juan VA Caribbean Healthcare System. Motivate VIST members by providing strong leadership at meetings with agendas, minutes, visions, goals, and member involvement. Identify gaps in services and develop a plan in consultation with the VIS Team, the Chief of Primary Care Service, and others to improve service delivery. Develop and administer a formal systematic plan to review and appraise the effectiveness of each phase of the VIS Team program, in accordance with VA Central Office and local facility policies and procedures. Plan, develop, and adjust the VIS Team program to resolve patient problems, concerns, and improve service delivery. Analyze, review, and appraise results, report findings to management, and use information gathered to guide improvements. Annually develop program goals and objectives that are achievable and measurable. Coordinate the case management and service coordination for blind/visually impaired Veterans, active duty service members, and their families. Conduct patient evaluations and provide sound recommendations as an experienced professional. Provide therapeutic adjustment counseling for sight loss, assess the need for rehabilitation, develop treatment plans, recommend adaptive devices, and educate on VA and community benefits and services. Collaborate with all components of blind rehabilitation services within the VA Caribbean Healthcare System, including the Blind Center, BROS (Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist), and the VIST Coordinator in the Ponce/Mayaguez Clinic. Deliver presentations, training programs, and orientation sessions to staff, outside agencies, veteran, and family groups. Serve as a liaison and consultant on matters related to visual impairment and blindness. Serve as a technical advisor to members of the Home Based Primary Care, Home Improvement, and Structural Alterations (HISA) committee. Develop and maintain screening procedures to target the population within and outside the VA. Possess specialized knowledge of VA rating criteria for sight loss and maintain liaison with Regional Office staff for benefit claims and rating notifications. Work Schedule: Monday–Friday – 8:00 am–4:30 pm. Compressed/Flexible: Not available. Telework: Not available. Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: Blind Rehab Specialist (VIST Coordinator). EDRP Authorized: Not Authorized. Financial Disclosure Report: Not required. #J-18808-Ljbffr Direct Jobs