[nfbmi-talk] Job Posting

[Terry D. Eagle]

Job Title:

Blind Rehabilitation Specialist - VIST Coordinator

Department:

Department Of Veterans Affairs

Agency:

Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Job Announcement Number:

VHA-618-SC-13-VU915716

SALARY RANGE:

$60,827.00

to

$94,778.00

/ Per Year

OPEN PERIOD:

Monday, July 01, 2013 to

Friday, July 19, 2013

SERIES & GRADE:

GS-0601-00

POSITION INFORMATION:

Full Time -

Permanent

PROMOTION POTENTIAL:

12

DUTY LOCATIONS:

1 vacancy in the following location:

Minneapolis, MN United States

View Map

WHO MAY APPLY:

US Citizens and Status Candidates

JOB SUMMARY:

Vacancy Identification Number (VIN):915716

OUR MISSION:

To fulfill President Lincoln's promise – "To care for him who shall have
borne the

battle, and for his widow, and his orphan" – by serving and honoring the men
and

women who are America's Veterans.

This position is located at the VHA Minneapolis Health Care System and will
serve

as the VIST Coordinator for the Visual Impairment Services Outpatient
Rehabilitation

(VISOR) Program.

As a VA professional, your opportunities are endless. With many openings in
the multiple

functions of VA, you will have a wide range of opportunities and leadership
positions

at your fingertips. Not only is it the largest, most technologically
advanced integrated

healthcare system in the Nation, but we also provide many other services to
Veterans

through the Benefits Administration and National Cemeteries. VA
professionals feel

good about their careers and their ability to balance work and home life. VA
offers

generous paid time off and a variety of predictable and flexible scheduling
opportunities.

For more information on the Department of Veterans Affairs, go to

http://www.vacareers.va.gov/

NOTE:

  The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12.  The actual grade at
which

an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to
GS-12.

The Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the
selected candidate's

education and experience and recommend the grade and step at which the
candidate

will be placed.  The salary is based on the grade and step approved for the
selected

candidate.

VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.  The health related
positions in

VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted
appointment

authority.

KEY REQUIREMENTS

DUTIES:

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The successful applicant will serve as the Visual Impairment Services Team
(VIST)

Coordinator as a member of the Minneapolis MVAHCS VISOR Program. The
incumbent is

responsible for administering VIS Team services as well as providing case
management

and adjustment counseling to severely visually impaired and blind veterans
in the

medical center's catchment area.

Duties include but are not limited to:

Responsible for the case management and coordination of services to visually
impaired

veterans and their families.

Relocation Expenses:Relocation expenses are not authorized for this
position.

Work Schedule:  Full-time Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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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 VA Handbook 5005, Part II,
Chapter

3, Section A, Paragraph 3g, this part.)

      b.  Education

     (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, related program in rehabilitation, special
education, family

and consumer science education, technology and industrial arts education, or
health

care; 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:

     1

.   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).

     2.   One full year of directly related graduate level coursework
(typically

at least 15-18 semester hours).

    3

.   A certificate in the core curriculum in vision rehabilitation therapy or
low

vision therapy from an accredited college or university and a directly
related practicum/internship

in the occupation, either included in the degree or post-degree.

       (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 GS-11 and above.

      (1)   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, related professional credential in special
education,

rehabilitation or health care.    If all certifications are impaired, the
individual

is ineligible for appointment in VA.

NOTE:

The ACVREP administers three certification programs:   Low Vision Therapy,
Orientation

and Mobility, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy.   Once certification
candidates

are approved, they receive an official letter of acceptance, a certificate,
and a

logo pin.   They may then use the designation for the certification they
hold (as

listed in subparagraph (3) below

(3)  BRSs who are VIST Coordinators may be drawn from traditional
blind/vision rehabilitation

backgrounds, and also from counseling backgrounds such as social work,
vocational

rehabilitation counseling, etc.

VIST Coordinators must be credentialed/certified through:

(a) Any certification via the Academy for Certification of Vision
Rehabilitation

and Education (ACVREP),

or

(b) Individuals appointed on the basis of being licensed 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-601 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 (Certified

Rehabilitation Counselor, CRC),

or

(d) Individuals appointed on the basis of being licensed in another health
care occupation

must be licensed or certified by a state to independently practice in their
field.

If appointed as a VIST Coordinator, such individual will be appointed to the
GS-601

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 not limited to Occupational Therapists and
Psychologists.

     f.  Non-Certified BRS Hired Temporary.

  Non-certified BRSs may be given a temporary appointment to positions at or
above

the GS-11 level not to exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C.
7405(c)(2).

Non-certified employees appointed temporarily as BRSs may not be converted
to an

appointment at or above the GS-11 level under 38 U.S.C. 7401(3) without
obtaining

a recognized certification.

     g.Physical Requirements.

The work requires regular and recurring exertion such as standing, or
walking in

the hospital for meetings and bedside training; frequent bending; reaching
above

the shoulder; medium lifting and carrying (up to 40 pounds), pushing or
pulling objects.

Most of the work is done in a hospital setting, but occasionally home-based
instruction

is required. The work requires the ability to cope with a variety and
complexity

of situations due to the diversity of patients, duties and responsibilities.
The

work requires pushing veterans in wheelchairs on a regular basis.

      h.  English Language Proficiency.

  BRSs must be proficient in spoken and written English as required by VA
Handbook

5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS

GS-11 (entry level for VIST Coordinators)

     (a)  Certification.  Required at this level and above

VIST Coordinators.

Candidates must meet the certification requirements in paragraph 2c(3)
above. BRS

who are VIST Coordinators may be drawn from traditional blind/vision
rehabilitation

backgrounds, and also from counseling backgrounds such as social work,
vocational

rehabilitation counseling, etc. VIST Coordinators may be
credentialed/certified through:

a. Certification via the ACVREP, or

b. Licensure via the Social Worker Licensure Board, or

c. Certification via the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor
Certification (CRC),

or

d. Equivalent, related, relevant professional credential in counseling or
rehabilitation.

     (b)  Education and Experience.

  In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of 1 year of
progressively

complex experience equivalent to the next lower grade; or 3 years of
progressively

higher level graduate education leading to a Doctoral Degree; or Doctoral
Degree

in Blind Rehabilitation or a directly related field.   In addition to
meeting the

KSAs described at the GS-9 level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the
following

professional KSAs:

     (c)  GS-11

Demonstrated KSAs

     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.

    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.

     (d)   Assignments.  This is the full performance level for BRSs who are
not

VIST Coordinators or BROS.

Typical assignments at this grade level include but are not limited to the
following:

VIST Coordinators.

Individuals in this assignment serve in a developmental capacity as case
management

professionals whose knowledge must be broad ranging and include not only the
medicalconditions

and rehabilitation of Veterans who are blind and visually impaired, but also
knowledge

of their compensations and benefits, as well as VA and non-VA rehabilitation
programs.

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

counseling.

GS-12 (Full performance level for VIST Coordinators)

     (a)Certification.VIST Coordinators must meet the certification
requirements

in paragraph 2c(3) above.

     (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 described at the GS-11 level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the
KSAs

required for the

specific assignment.

      (c)

Demonstrated 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.

       (d)Assignments.

Candidates may be appointed to one of the following assignments:

VIST Coordinators.

GS-12 is the full performance level for a VIST Coordinator. Individuals in
this assignment

will demonstrate mastery abilities in readjustment counseling, coordinating
access

to services, assuring adequate compensation and benefits, and must make
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 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.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE
ASSUMPTIONS

REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE.

References: VA Handbook 5005/34 Part II Appendix G41, Blind Rehabilitation
Specialist

Qualification Standard

PLEASE

NOTE:

  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution

recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be
credited

towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education

requirement.)  Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or

degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by
the

U.S. Department of Education.  Applicants can verify accreditation at the

following website:

http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html

All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing
agency

accordingly.  If you are using foreign education to meet qualification

requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your

transcript in order to receive credit for that education.

Veterans'

Preference:

When

applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference on the

Occupational Questionnaire in the section provided and provide a legible
copy

of your DD214(s) and/or documentation related to your active duty service
which

shows dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), or

dates of impending separation.

Additionally,

disabled veterans and others eligible for 10-point preference (such as
widows

or mothers of eligible Veterans) must also submit an SF-15 "Application

for 10 Point Veterans Preference" with required proof as stated on the

form.  For more information, please review the information for disabled

Veterans in the application

checklist

or visit

http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/index.aspx

.

HOW YOU WILL BE EVALUATED:

Your application, résumé and/or supporting documentation will be verified.
Please

follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect
consideration for

employment.   You may also be evaluated based upon the question responses
you provide

during a structured interview. In responding to structured interview
questions you

should be sure to cite specific examples of experience, explain exactly what
you

did, and the outcome.

BENEFITS:

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Working for the Department of Veterans Affairs offers a comprehensive
benefits package

that includes, in part, paid vacation, sick leave, holidays, life insurance,
health

benefits, thrift savings plan, and participation in the Federal Employees
Retirement

System. In addition to traditional "dollars and cents" benefits, we offer a
range

of benefits to help balance work and life.  For more information please
visit us

at

http://www.va.gov/JOBS/Job_Benefits/benefits.asp

.

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave:

  Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay
period)

which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal
employee. VA

may offer newly-appointed Federal employees credit for their job-related
non-federal

experience or active duty uniformed military service.  This credited service
can

be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.

OTHER INFORMATION:

This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive
status.

HOW TO APPLY:

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All

applicants are encouraged to apply online.

To apply for this position,

you must complete

the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the

Required Documents section below.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on

Friday, July 19, 2013 to receive consideration.

1.   To begin,click Apply Online

to create a USAJOBS

account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select
your

USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the
occupational

questionnaire.

2.   Click theSubmit My Answersbutton to submit your

application package.

It is

your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation
is

submitted prior to the closing date.

To verify your application

is complete, log into your USAJOBS account,

https://my.usajobs.gov/Account/Login

, select the Application

Status link and then select the more information link for this position. The

Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation

received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related
to

this application.  Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear

the virus scan process.

To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJOBS account and
click

Update Application in the vacancy announcement.  You must re-select your

resume and/or other documents from your USAJOBS account or your application

will be incomplete.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!  Too often, applicants overlook required components
of the

application process.  To apply for this position,

youmust

provide a complete Application Package which includes:

1.    Responses to Occupational Questionnaire – part of the online
application (REQUIRED)

2.    CV or Resume (REQUIRED)

3.    VA Form 10- 2850c - Application For Associated Health Occupations -
Available

at

http://www.va.gov/vaforms/medical/pdf/vha-10-2850c-fill.pdf

 (REQUIRED)

4.    Proof of current certification, licensure or registration (REQUIRED)

5.    Unofficial transcript(s). Youmust

submit a copy of your educational transcripts at the time of application if
you are

not currently a Minneapolis VA Health Care System employee.

(REQUIRED)

6.    Veterans should submit appropriate documentation such as DD-214, VA
letter,

and/or SF-15.

7.      If

currently employed in the Minneapolis VA Health Care Sysytem or Federal
employment

system, include latest SF-50 - Notification of Personnel Action.

(REQUIRED).

Faxing

Applications or Supporting Documents:

You are

encouraged to apply online.

Applying

online will allow you to review and track the status of your application.

NOTE:

  If you applied online and

your application is complete, do not fax the paper application (1203FX) as

this will overwrite your prior online responses and may result in you being

found ineligible.

If you completed the occupational

questionnaire online and are unable to upload supporting document(s):

1.   To fax your documents, you must

use the following cover page

http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf

and provide the required

information.

The Vacancy ID is

915716.

2.   Fax your documents to

1-478-757-3144.

If you

cannot complete the Application Package online, you may fax all of your

materials.

The complete application

package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Friday, July 19, 2013

to receive consideration.

Keep a copy of your fax confirmation in the

event verification is needed.

To complete the occupational

questionnaire and submit via fax:

1.   Click the following link to view

and print the occupational questionnaire

View Occupational Questionnaire

.

2.   Print the 1203FX form, follow the

instructions and provide your responses to the occupational questionnaire
items

http://www.opm.gov/forms/pdfimage/opm1203fx.pdf

.

3. Fax

the completed 1203FX form along with any supporting documents to

1-478-757-3144.

 Your 1203FX will serve

as a cover page for your fax transmission.

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Steven Corradi

Phone: (612)467-4349

Email: STEVEN.CORRADI at VA.GOV

Agency Information:

VHA Minneapolis HCS

One Veterans Drive

Minneapolis,

MN

55417

WHAT TO EXPECT NEXT:

After we receive your complete application package (including any required
documents),

your qualifications will be reviewed to decide if you meet the basic
requirements.

You will be notified when this decision is made.