Blind Rehabilitation Therapist - Low Vision Therapist

Blind Rehabilitation Therapist – Low Vision Therapist

Pay Range (VA): $84,601.00 – $ per year.

Summary
:
The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist – Low Vision Therapist provides blind and vision rehabilitation services for visually impaired Veterans and Service members. Responsibilities include low vision therapy, orientation & mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, manual skills instruction, and computer access instruction.

• Citizenship
  :
  United States citizenship required. Non-citizens may be appointed only when qualified citizens cannot be recruited in accordance with VA policy.
• Education
  :
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a major in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program (rehabilitation, special education for the visually impaired, family and consumer science education, technology and industrial arts education).
  • OR a bachelor’s degree with at least 30 semester hours or directly related upper‑level undergraduate courses (200 level or higher) and at least one full year of graduate‑level coursework (15‑18 semester hours).
  • OR a certificate in the core curriculum in orientation & mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, assistive technology for blind and visually impaired individuals, or low vision therapy, with a directly related practicum/internship.
  • Foreign graduates must present a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with specialization in blind rehabilitation.
• Certification
  :
  • Required at GS‑11 grade level and above: an active, current, full and unrestricted certification issued by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) or an equivalent credential in special education or rehabilitation.
  • Specializations:
    • Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS®)
    • Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®)
    • Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®)
    • Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS®)
  • Maintaining certification is mandatory. Loss of certification results in removal from the BRS occupation and may lead to termination.
• English Language Proficiency
  :
  Applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English; otherwise they may not be considered for direct patient‑care roles under VA.
• Experience
  :
  • Completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to GS‑9, or three years of higher‑level graduate education leading to a doctoral degree in blind rehabilitation or a directly related field.
  • Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and abilities at the GS‑9 level, including advanced evaluation, planning, and intervention techniques for blind/vision rehabilitation, and ability to recommend appropriate prosthetic devices.
• Assignments
  :
  • Staff BRS: consult with medical center staff in evaluating and treating Veterans; mentor trainees; conduct clinical and in‑service training.
  • Sole Practice BRS: independently decide and provide care at a medical center or outpatient clinic.
• Physical Requirements
  :
  See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 – Employee Occupational Health Service.

• The position remains open until December 31, 2025.
• Initial cut‑off date for referral:
  October 20, 2025. Subsequent cut‑offs every two weeks.
• Provides direct patient care and support services to an adult population, largely male, many older Veterans.
• Assesses needs, capabilities, limits, and goals; prescribes treatment plans for blindness/visual impairment caused by injury or disease.
• Administers a blind and vision rehabilitation program: teaches adaptive skills, mobility, vision therapy, orientation, manual skills and computer use.
• Studies visual and non‑visual barriers, tool limitations, vocational impacts, and psychological distress; uses diagnostic and therapeutic techniques to mitigate these problems.
• Develops and implements individualized treatment plans with interdisciplinary teams to enhance quality of life, independence, emotional stability, and community integration.
• Maintenance and instruction in use of assistive technology: electronic travel aids, computer‑assisted devices, large‑print tools, Braille devices, optical devices prescribed by an eye specialist.
• Educates and counsels patients and their families about visual impairment and rehabilitation, promoting realistic goals and coping strategies.
• Continuously researches and integrates new technologies.
• Serves as subject‑matter expert to other medical and allied health staff; provides counseling on visual impairment and rehabilitation.
• Mentors clinical trainees; performs other related duties as assigned.
• Work schedule:
  
  Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 4:30 pm. Telework and virtual positions are not available.

Relocation/Incentives
:
Not authorized.

Job ‑25001‑F (GS‑11 Full Performance Level). Functional Statement #: 613‑25205‑F (GS‑9 Entry Level).