Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (VIST Coordinator)

Full Job Description

The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this occupational series. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (VIST Coordinators) follow a model of lifetime care coordination offered to all Veterans with visual impairment who are eligible to receive services.

The VIST Coordinator plans, develops, implements, directs and evaluates the Visual Impairment Service (VIS) Team program at the VHA sites within his or her catchment area.

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).

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.

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: 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. 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.

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.

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

BRS, GS-12 (VIST Coordinator-Full Performance Level) (1) Experience.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to GS-11 grade level. (2) Certification.

VIST Coordinators must meet the following certification requirements: 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. (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities.

In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: (a) Skill to effectively communicate both orally and in writing with staff at all organizational levels, with Veterans and their family members, with community groups, and individuals with varying degrees of understanding.

(b) Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for therapeutic interventions.

(c) Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines and contains observable, measurable goals that identify specific outcomes.

(d) Knowledge of VA and non-VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs.

(e) Skill in interpersonal relationships dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders.

(f) Knowledge of psychological, rehabilitation, and counseling theories and principles. (g) Ability to coordinate with various resources to identify and refer Veterans to suitable training programs.

(h) Ability to apply decision-making principles to adjust programs on a day-to-day basis, to develop short term and long-range goals, and to plan for future utilization of resources.

Preferred Experience: 1 year of Blind Rehabilitation experience 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-12. Major Duties:

If you are a current, permanent VA employee or Federal employee from another agency, you should apply to VIN# 12878918 (https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/857839800) The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (VIST Coordinator) is responsible for:

Following a model of lifetime care coordination offered to all Veterans with visual impairment who are eligible to receive services. The model requires varying degrees of intervention based on the clinical and psychosocial needs of each Veteran.

Providing care coordination services to eligible Veterans with visual impairment by assessing (at least annually), coordinating and reviewing the Veteran's rehabilitation and adjustment needs and determining and referring the type and intensity of services needed, based upon clinical judgment and the Veteran's goals.

Determining if additional intervention by other providers will be needed to develop a Veteran's individualized treatment plan.

In such instances, the BRS clinician is expected to refer, consult, educate and/or cotreat with other providers to support the Veteran in addressing individualized goals (e.g., assessment for supplementary adaptive interventions, issuance criteria and core competencies for prosthetic recommendation).

Ensuring the update and maintenance of the VIST roster including all legally blind and low vision Veterans enrolled at a given VA medical facility.

Providing outreach and education to VA medical facility and non-VA agencies and personnel through brochures and other educational materials about Veteran counseling and family information.

Regardless of the level of care coordination, VIST Coordinators counsel Veterans with visual impairment about their health needs and refer them annually for medical examinations to include, but not limited to, ocular health examinations, physical examinations and audiological examinations.

Conducting monthly VIST support groups for Veterans on various topics to enhance outreach, education, adjustment to sight loss, and peer-to-peer engagement.

Ensuring the recommended prosthetic devices and rehabilitation interventions are in alignment with the Veteran's goals and individualized rehabilitation plan.

Promoting awareness of the needs of Veterans with visual impairments to the VA medical facility staff through identifying eligible Veterans with visual impairment in the Electronic Health Record.

Coordinating community care and VHA care to assist Veterans with visual impairment in receiving the best services in both the BRS CoC and from community providers.

Ensuring seamless coordination of BRS-related care for traveling Veterans with visual impairment who are away from their primary residence and preferred VA medical facility.

This includes leading the Veteran's care coordination and contacting the Veteran's primary VIST Coordinator, if necessary.

Ensuring adherence to best practices by conducting VIST Reviews via in person contact or telehealth. NOTE: Telephone encounters are acceptable after exhausting all other avenues for face-to-face encounters.

Entering the initial application for the Veteran with visual impairment admission into BRC care in accordance with the Veteran's choice of date for admission.

The VIST Coordinators must refer Veterans with visual impairment to BRCs via the Blind Rehabilitation (BR) National Database guidelines detailed in Directive 1174

.

Monitoring and assisting in developing and updating service agreements and assisting in developing VA medical facility operating procedures pertinent to blindness and visual impairment.

Documenting Care. This includes understanding the importance of recording and maintaining clear, accurate and concise documents that pertain to Veteran's profiles.

Guide Dogs. The VIST Coordinator will work with the Veteran to obtain the necessary information and documents to request the VA Veterinary Health Insurance on behalf of the Veteran through coordination with the local PSAS.

Initiating and tracking referrals in all aspects of BRS CoC on behalf of Veterans with visual impairment in accordance with the BR National Database guidelines detailed in D1174

.

Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Committee. The Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinator is the chairperson of the VIST Committee.

The VIST Committee convenes annually to review VIST program performance, develop strategic plans, advocacy, education, outreach and assure that access and compliance concerns of Veterans with visual impairment are addressed.

Additional meetings may be called as necessary by team members and may be held by audio or video conferencing.

Work Schedule: 8:00am-4:30pm; Monday-Friday; Subject to change based on the needs of the facility. Telework: Not eligible. Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 580-02284-F; 580-02285-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized