Blind Rehabilitation Specialist; Visual Skills

Summary

Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (Visual Skills Department) position which provides training and instruction in blind and vision rehabilitation services for visually impaired Veterans and Service Members. The purpose for blind rehabilitation is to enhance the quality of life for individuals with vision loss through participation in a comprehensive and individualized rehabilitation program so they may successfully reintegrate back into their community and family environments.

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.

• United States Citizenship:
  Candidates must be a citizen of the United States
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 7407(a)
• English Language Proficiency:
  Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 7403(f)
• 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 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))
  • 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:
    • 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 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: 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®)
    • 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 - 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 - (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…