Career Center

Summary

The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC) is an inpatient facility located at the Palo Alto Division of the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). The WBRC provides support and services annually to visually impaired Veterans and active-duty Service members. The WBRC embraces an interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of visual impairment to ensure that program participants receive a full complement of services.

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:

• 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: Pharmacists must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by 38 U.S.C. 7402(d) - and 7407(d)
• Education: 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: i
• 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)
• ii
• 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
• (2) Blind Rehabilitation Specialists (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®)
• 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)
• BRS - GS-9: (1) Experience
• Bachelor's degree and completion of one year of experience
• OR - (2) 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
• (3) Certification
• No certification is required at this level
• (4) 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
• BRS - GS-11: (1) Experience
• In addition to meeting the basic requirements - completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade
• OR - (2) 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
• (3) 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
• (4) Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities
• 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
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11
• 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 environment may be nan office - clinical setting - computer classroom - VA grounds and/or hospitals
• Typically the employee sits comfortably to do the work
• however - there may be some walking - standing - bending - carrying of light items - such as papers and books.

Duties

• An Orientation and Mobility Specialist (OMS) is a professional formally educated to evaluate and train visually impaired individuals to use their residual senses and adaptive devices to remain spatially oriented and travel safely and efficiently in various community environments
• Blind Rehabilitation Specialists are expected to obtain and maintain ACVREP Certified Orientation and Mobility certification
• OMS staff determine the appropriate mobility options for each visually impaired patient - including human guide - long cane - dog guide - Electronic Travel Aids - functional vision - Adaptive Mobility Devices - and orientation-enhancing technologies such as GPS
• The OMS utilizes evidence-based assessment and training methods that follow Preferred Practice Patterns and Orientation and Mobility Standard Operating Procedures to evaluate the functional capabilities and limitations of individuals with visual impairment in both clinical and real-world settings
• In addition to visual impairment - the OMS incorporates appropriate O&M methods into treatment plans for patients with multiple physical and cognitive impairments
• Major duties and responsibilities include - but not limited to: Assesses the patient to determine the extent of residual sensory function - the potential to benefit from training - and which prosthetic devices are indicated to meet individual patient needs
• Interprets assessment results and designs an individually tailored Orientation and Mobility (O&M) program to meet the patient's needs
• Serves as the provider responsible for issuing O&M-related prosthetic equipment
• Plans and instructs the patient in safety techniques and the proper use and maintenance of all O&M prosthetic devices
• Functions as a member of the allied rehabilitation treatment team
• Plans and instructs the patient's family member(s) or caregiver(s)
• Provides team members with relevant information regarding O&M outcomes and explains device utilization to ensure integration of devices into other disciplines
• Serves as Patient Treatment Coordinator for assigned Veterans' overall blind rehabilitation experience and intervenes as needed
• Provides O&M outcome data for administrative analysis to ensure program effectiveness
• Performs O&M research tasks related to product and methods evaluation
• Follows all Blind Rehabilitation Service and VAPAHCS accountability procedures
• Performs all assigned duties regardless of the setting and/or program to which the specialist is assigned
• Records - reports - and documents are all services provided to patients and families according to established recording standards and procedures
• Assumes responsibilities designated by the Chief - Blind Rehabilitation Services - which may include membership of WBRC committees - process action teams - service programs - research projects - clinical initiatives - and other duties as assigned
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday - 7:30 am to 4:00 pm Telework: Not available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 10525F and 10526F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized