Blind Rehabilitation Specialist-VIST

Full Job Description

VIST Coordinators follow a model of lifetime care coordination offered to all Veterans with visual impairment.

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

Case management duties may include cases that are both difficult and complex in terms of the severity of the visual impairment and the presence of complicating physical and emotional factors impinging on treatment.

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 Proficiency.

Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who are not proficient in written and spoken English. 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 3 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: 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).

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/Licensure.

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. .Grandfathering Provision.

All BRSs employed in VHA in this occupation on the effective date (March 13,2019) of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and certification(s) that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation.

Grade Determination GS-12 (VIST Coordinator-Full Performance Level) Experience.

In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of 1 year of experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level is required.

Experience includes: case management professionals whose knowledge must be broad ranging and include not only the medical conditions and rehabilitation of Veterans who are blind and visually impaired, but also knowledge of their compensation and benefits, as well as VA and non-VA rehabilitation programs.

In addition, VIST Coordinators work with Veterans and their families in readjustment counseling. 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. Assignment.

The GS-12 grade level is the full performance level for a VIST Coordinator.

Individuals in this assignment will demonstrate mastery in adjustment counseling, coordinating access to services, assuring adequate compensation and benefits, and must conduct complex negotiations with the medical and benefit systems as well as non-VA service delivery systems.

VIST Coordinators convene and manage a local medical center Visual/Impairment Services Team that meets regularly to influence and make recommendations regarding the best programs for Veterans who are visually impaired.

VIST Coordinators at the full performance level manage a 10 support group for blinded Veterans, publish a VIST newsletter, and provide community presentations to professional and lay groups to publicize the program.

They plan and execute programs to locate blinded Veterans previously unknown to Blind Rehabilitation Service through outreach in their medical centers, in the community and in other service delivery systems such as vocational rehabilitation, community services for the visually impaired, community eye care, etc.

They work closely with the BRS national consultants and VA central office staff to continuously upgrade and improve their practice and programs.

References: FORMER VA HANDBOOK REFERENCE: PART II APPENDIX G41 EFFECTIVE DATE: March 13, 2019 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12.

Physical Requirements: Ability to walk or to get to all clinics daily requires standing, bending, and sitting as well as carrying light objects.

Due to the complexity of the work, the multiplicity of the projects at any one time, and deadlines. The job may be psychologically stressful at times. Major Duties:

The Visual Impairment Service Team Coordinator case manages patient care and provides care coordination, assessments and blind and low vision rehabilitation to help Veterans reclaim the confidence and skills needed to lead an independent, fulfilling life after vision loss.

They must tailor patient care and support services to meet the needs of the individual patient.

This includes assessing each patient's needs and assuring the delivery of services that are responsive to the concerns of individual patients.

The Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) Coordinator is responsible for planning, developing, implementing, directing, evaluating, and controlling the VIST program at this medical center as they functions independently in several settings.

Duties:

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 co-treat 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. NOTE: This is a VIST Coordinator responsibility if a contracted vendor is utilized for therapeutic interventions.

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. As defined in VHA Handbook 1101.11

, Coordinated Care for Traveling Veterans, dated April 22, 2015, a traveling Veteran is one who is registered at a VA medical facility and who is preparing to embark on or has embarked upon extended travel away from their primary residence and preferred VA medical facility.

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.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday -TBD Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #:52213-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized