Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (Instructor BROS)
Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist provides direct patient care and support services to an adult population of patients which is characterized by a very significant number of older patients as well as young OEF/01F/OND Veterans who may have wound and trauma related vision loss. The incumbent must tailor patient care and support services to meet the needs of the individual patient. This includes the responsibility for assessment of each patient's needs and the delivery of services, which are responsive to the concerns of individual patients to the extent possible. The incumbent, in concert with the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center, Polytrauma team, VIST and other facility resources, is responsible for identifying beneficiaries who have the potential to benefit from blind and vision rehabilitation training. The incumbent consults with Polytrauma teams, all VIST, eye clinics, blind and vision rehabilitation services and community resources to locate and serve potential Veterans by offering direct blind and vision rehabilitation services in all five skill areas in the veteran's home, other residence or within the community as the need arises. The incumbent is responsible for blind and vision rehabilitation assessment, planning, training, and outcomes evaluation on each Veteran for whom service is provided. The incumbent uses objective and subjective assessment tools and methods requiring broadly based advanced knowledge in the five skill areas. The incumbent selects, interprets and adapts traditional strategies in order to meet Veteran needs. The incumbent develops an individualized rehabilitation-training plan for each Veteran with rehabilitation potential. Each plan includes Veteran and/or family goals, as well as achievable and measurable outcomes. In some cases, the plan will be communicated to the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center in order to expedite inpatient rehabilitation training if that is a part of the Veteran's plan of blind rehabilitation care. The incumbent prioritizes rehabilitation training activities so as to maximize Veterans served, consistent with quality care and safety. The incumbent makes maximum use of outpatient clinical facilities of the institution, together with proper and judicious use of home-based services as necessary. In order to maximize Veteran's rehabilitation potential, the incumbent makes use of a wide variety complex training aids and devices. The incumbent also uses complex assessment tools and trains Veterans on sophisticated prosthetics and sensory aids to accomplish the goals for rehabilitation. The incumbent works closely with local VIST, Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service and the Western Blind Rehabilitation Center to identify, recommend and obtain equipment for Veterans during their rehabilitation and provides full training with this equipment. The incumbent functions as an independent provider of blind and vision rehabilitation services. In addition, the incumbent is responsible for ensuring documents of assessment, rehabilitation training progress, consults, referrals and recommendations are properly entered in the Veteran's electronic chart. Documentation also includes initiating and tracking referrals within the BR National Database in accordance with guidelines detailed in the Blind Rehabilitation Service Directive. The incumbent provides recommendations and care management for both VA and non-VA outpatient blind and vision rehabilitation activities. The incumbent provides effective patient counseling in the adjustment to blindness as an integral component of the work. The incumbent relies upon his/her extensive knowledge of the psychosocial issues associated with visual impairment to assist the Veteran in adjustment to visual impairment and the blind and vision rehabilitation process. The patient is referred to an appropriate professional for more extensive counseling as required. The incumbent may also administer a blind and vision rehabilitation-training program for the operation of a Polytrauma unit or the WBRC, documenting workload, writing reports, outcomes, scheduling of patients, etc. The incumbent is expected to provide blind and vision rehabilitation services as a team member but also as an independent clinician as he/she carries out treatments. The incumbent schedules outpatient clinic appointments and home visits appointments through appropriate assigned Scheduling systems and PSA's. The incumbent follows nationally established business rules to schedule appointments for timelines of clinics including timeliness in consults. The incumbent completes the mandatory training requirements for the outpatient scheduling process. The incumbent adheres to hospital policies in all patient documentations including timeliness and completion of encounters. Work Schedule:
Monday - Friday; 7:
30am - 4:
00pm Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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:
a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part.) b. Education and Experience (1) 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, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology, and industrial arts education; OR, (b)A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology, and industrial arts education; OR, (c)A bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited college or university (without a major field of study as outlined in (1)(a) and (b) above) and obtained 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. This education must have included supervised practice; and (d)Completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the BRS, GS-9 grade level; OR, (e)Three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a doctoral degree in blind rehabilitation or a directly related field. (2) 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. c. Certification. Required at all levels. (1)Applicants must possess at least one active, current, full, and unrestricted certification to be eligible for appointment. (2)An applicant who has, or ever had his/her certification suspended, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 3, Section B, Paragraph 16 of this part. An applicant who has or has ever had a certification revoked or terminated for cause, or voluntarily relinquished such certification after being notified in writing by the State of potential revocation or termination for cause, is ineligible for employment and must be removed from the GS-0601 series. This applies even if the applicant possesses one or more valid certifications or registration (38 U.S.C. 7402(f)). NOTE:
The Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) administers four (4) certification programs:
Low Vision Therapy, Orientation, and Mobility, Certified Assistive Technology Instructions Specialist and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. They may then use the designation for the certification they hold (as listed in subparagraph (2)) below:
(3)BROS who provide the following services must obtain and maintain one certification at the GS-11 grade level and two certifications at the GS-12 grade level granted by ACVREP as follows:
(a) Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMSO). (b)Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRTO). (c)Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVTC1). KSAs. In addition to meeting the KSAs described as below:
GS 11 (a) Certification. Candidates must meet the certification requirements in subparagraph 2c above (at least one certification from ACVREP). (b) Education and Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, the candidate must fully demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) below:
1. Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation. 2. Ability to properly assess a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions. 3. Ability to write a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes. 4. Knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles. 5. Ability to employ interventions, unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan. JUNE 15, 2010 VA HANDBOOK 5005/35 PART II APPENDIX G42 II-G42-5 6. Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for patients within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required. 7. Ability to plan, direct, and distribute work assignments to volunteers, assistants and, interns and/or BRSs at lower grade levels and perform assigned mentoring duties for staff, students and interns. (c) Assignment. Individuals in this assignment serve in a developmental capacity as the BROS at a medical center , or an outpatient clinic , and in patients' homes and communities. BROS are responsible for decision-making and J independent care under the direction of their supervisors and the Blind Rehabilitation National Consultant for their region. Individuals in this assignment serve as a member of a specialty care team. At the 0S-11 level, BROS s will receive training and oversight from the Blind Rehabilitation National Consultant for their regions. NOTE:
Upon hire, GS-11 BROS are required to obtain a 2nd certification from ACVREP within 2 years of the initial appointment date to demonstrate journey mastery in two specialty areas and to become a GS-12 BROS. Failure to do so will result in removal from the BROS occupation and may result in termination of employment. GS-12 BROS (Full Performance Level) (a) Certification. Candidates must meet the certification requirements in subparagraph 2c above. BROSs at the GS-12 level must achieve two ACVREP certifications to demonstrate full mastery in two areas of blind rehabilitation. (b) Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of 1 year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition to meeting the KSAs at the GS-11 level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Ability to independently develop, plan, and administer complex treatment programs. 2. Ability to act as a subject matter expert in the blind/vision rehabilitation field and as consultant, supervisor and/or mentor in evaluating and treating patients in specialty or program areas. 3. Ability to coordinate, motivate, and effectively manage staff and/or committee members to include organizing work, setting priorities, and delegating tasks and responsibilities. 4. Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as a consultant or mentor. 5. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers and other stakeholders. 6. Ability to identify team group dynamics, objectively observe, and modify behaviors. 7. 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. References:
VA Handbook 5005/110 Part II Appendix G42 Physical Requirements:
The work requires occasional bending; reaching above the shoulder; medium lifting and carrying (up to 40 pounds), pushing or pulling objects. The work requires the ability to cope with a variety and complexity of situations due to the diversity of patients, duties and responsibilities.
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
Monday - Friday; 7:
30am - 4:
00pm Financial Disclosure Report:
Not required 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:
a. Citizenship. Citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3g, of this part.) b. Education and Experience (1) 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, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology, and industrial arts education; OR, (b)A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology, and industrial arts education; OR, (c)A bachelor's or master's degree from an accredited college or university (without a major field of study as outlined in (1)(a) and (b) above) and obtained 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. This education must have included supervised practice; and (d)Completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the BRS, GS-9 grade level; OR, (e)Three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a doctoral degree in blind rehabilitation or a directly related field. (2) 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. c. Certification. Required at all levels. (1)Applicants must possess at least one active, current, full, and unrestricted certification to be eligible for appointment. (2)An applicant who has, or ever had his/her certification suspended, restricted, limited, or issued/placed in a probationary status may be appointed only in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 3, Section B, Paragraph 16 of this part. An applicant who has or has ever had a certification revoked or terminated for cause, or voluntarily relinquished such certification after being notified in writing by the State of potential revocation or termination for cause, is ineligible for employment and must be removed from the GS-0601 series. This applies even if the applicant possesses one or more valid certifications or registration (38 U.S.C. 7402(f)). NOTE:
The Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) administers four (4) certification programs:
Low Vision Therapy, Orientation, and Mobility, Certified Assistive Technology Instructions Specialist and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. They may then use the designation for the certification they hold (as listed in subparagraph (2)) below:
(3)BROS who provide the following services must obtain and maintain one certification at the GS-11 grade level and two certifications at the GS-12 grade level granted by ACVREP as follows:
(a) Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMSO). (b)Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRTO). (c)Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVTC1). KSAs. In addition to meeting the KSAs described as below:
GS 11 (a) Certification. Candidates must meet the certification requirements in subparagraph 2c above (at least one certification from ACVREP). (b) Education and Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, the candidate must fully demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) below:
1. Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation. 2. Ability to properly assess a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions. 3. Ability to write a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes. 4. Knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles. 5. Ability to employ interventions, unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan. JUNE 15, 2010 VA HANDBOOK 5005/35 PART II APPENDIX G42 II-G42-5 6. Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for patients within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required. 7. Ability to plan, direct, and distribute work assignments to volunteers, assistants and, interns and/or BRSs at lower grade levels and perform assigned mentoring duties for staff, students and interns. (c) Assignment. Individuals in this assignment serve in a developmental capacity as the BROS at a medical center , or an outpatient clinic , and in patients' homes and communities. BROS are responsible for decision-making and J independent care under the direction of their supervisors and the Blind Rehabilitation National Consultant for their region. Individuals in this assignment serve as a member of a specialty care team. At the 0S-11 level, BROS s will receive training and oversight from the Blind Rehabilitation National Consultant for their regions. NOTE:
Upon hire, GS-11 BROS are required to obtain a 2nd certification from ACVREP within 2 years of the initial appointment date to demonstrate journey mastery in two specialty areas and to become a GS-12 BROS. Failure to do so will result in removal from the BROS occupation and may result in termination of employment. GS-12 BROS (Full Performance Level) (a) Certification. Candidates must meet the certification requirements in subparagraph 2c above. BROSs at the GS-12 level must achieve two ACVREP certifications to demonstrate full mastery in two areas of blind rehabilitation. (b) Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of 1 year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition to meeting the KSAs at the GS-11 level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the following KSAs:
1. Ability to independently develop, plan, and administer complex treatment programs. 2. Ability to act as a subject matter expert in the blind/vision rehabilitation field and as consultant, supervisor and/or mentor in evaluating and treating patients in specialty or program areas. 3. Ability to coordinate, motivate, and effectively manage staff and/or committee members to include organizing work, setting priorities, and delegating tasks and responsibilities. 4. Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as a consultant or mentor. 5. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers and other stakeholders. 6. Ability to identify team group dynamics, objectively observe, and modify behaviors. 7. 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. References:
VA Handbook 5005/110 Part II Appendix G42 Physical Requirements:
The work requires occasional bending; reaching above the shoulder; medium lifting and carrying (up to 40 pounds), pushing or pulling objects. The work requires the ability to cope with a variety and complexity of situations due to the diversity of patients, duties and responsibilities.
- Department:
0601 General Health Science - Salary Range:
$87,449 to $136,266 per year
Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.
|
|
 | |
