[nfbmi-talk] Job Opening Announcement

[Terry D. Eagle]

Job Title:

Blind Rehabilitation Specialist-Outpatient

Department:

Department Of Veterans Affairs

Agency:

Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration

Job Announcement Number:

VHA-523-13-917149

SALARY RANGE:

$62,758.00

to

$97,787.00

/ Per Year

OPEN PERIOD:

Friday, June 28, 2013 to

Friday, July 19, 2013

SERIES & GRADE:

GS-0601-11/12

POSITION INFORMATION:

Full Time -

Permanent

DUTY LOCATIONS:

1 vacancy in the following location:

Boston Metro Area, MA United States

WHO MAY APPLY:

United States Citizens

JOB SUMMARY:

 Service: Surgical

 Vacancy Identification Number (VIN)917149

***POSITION IS LOCATED AT JAMAICA PLAIN, MA CAMPUS***

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.

How would you like to become a part of a team providing compassionate care
to Veterans?

“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 health care 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 Professional Standards Board (a peer-review group) will review the
selected candidate’s

education and experience and recommend the step at which the candidate will
be placed

in that specific grade.  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 Surgical Service is recruiting for a full-time Blind Rehabilitation
Specialist/Orientation

and Mobility Teacher to support Optometry Section.  The duty station will be
Jamaica

Plain,  with some travel to care for patients in their home environment and
on inpatient

wards of the VA Boston Healthcare System.  The tour of duty will be:  Monday
through

Friday – 8:00 AM-4:30 PM. (tour may be flexible upon applicant’s employment
and service

needs).

The primary purpose of the position is to manage and provide direct vision
rehabilitation

and blind rehabilitation training services to Veterans and Service members
with visual

impairments ranging from moderate visual impairment to profound vision loss.
The

incumbent identifies, assesses, trains, manages and provides follow-up for
Veterans

using clinical resources of the facility.  The Blind Rehabilitation
Specialist/O&M

Teacher is a member of the Advanced Low Vision Clinic under Optometry
Section, Surgical

Service, and as such provides Orientation and Mobility Services to Advanced
Low Vision

Clinic patients. In addition, this person provides outpatient blind
rehabilitation

to legally blind patients as a Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist
(BROS).

In that capacity, the incumbent frequently assesses patient’s orientation
and mobility

and use of adaptive aids within their home environment.  Travel by self
driven car

and if applicable public transportation is required frequently within the
VABHS and

VISN 1 catchment area (typically not overnight) in order to assess patients’
function

and safety in their home and other environments  where adaptive aids may be
required

to be utilized. A more detailed description of duties is available in Human
Resources

Management Services.

WORK SCHEDULE:

Full-time, Monday through Friday – 8:00 AM-4:30 PM. (tour may be flexible
upon applicant’s

employment and service needs).

NOTE:  This position is an AFGE Bargaining Unit position.

NOTE:  Travel and relocation expenses are not authorized.

NOTE:  Selectee may be required to work at any Boston Healthcare System
campus, as

needed.

NOTE:

  Candidates who meet the qualification requirements within 15 calendar days
following

the closing date of the announcement will be considered.

NOTE:Applicant must be able to provide proof of valid class D drivers
license.

NOTE:Applicant must submitt CSC Form 665 with their completed application.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

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QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

 a.  Citizenship.  Citizen of the United States.

 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, [ ] related program in
rehabilitation

special education[, family and consumer science education, technology and
industrial

arts education] or health care[; or

 (b)  A master’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

 (c)  A bachelor’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 in

the core curriculum in orientation in orientation and mobility, vision
rehabilitation

therapy or low vision therapy from an accredited college or university.  For
individuals

this education must have included supervised practice; and,

 (2)  Completion of 1 year of progressively complex experience equivalent to
the

BRS, GS-9; or

 (3)  Three (3) years of progressively higher level graduate education
leading to

a doctoral degree in blind rehabilitation or a directly related field.

 (4)  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.  If the applicant has or has
ever had

a licensure or certification revoked for cause, or voluntarily relinquished
such

license or certification after being notified in writing by the State of
potential

revocation for cause, the applicant is ineligible for appointment.  This
applies

even if the applicant possesses one or more valid, unrestricted license or
registration

(38 §U.S.C. 7402(f)).  If all certifications are impaired, the individual is
also

ineligible for appointment in VA.

NOTE:

  The Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education
Professionals

(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 (2) below).

 (2)  BROSs who provide the following services must obtain and maintain one
certification

at the   GS-11 level and two certifications at the GS-12 level granted by
ACVREP

as follows:

 (a)  Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility
Specialists

(COMS®).

 (b)  Communication and daily living therapy (formerly Rehabilitation
Teaching) -

Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®).

 (c)  Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®).

 (d)  Loss of Credential

 (1)  Once certified, a BROS must maintain a full, valid and unrestricted
independent

certification to remain qualified for employment.  Loss of certification(s)
will

result in removal from the BROS occupation and may result in termination of
employment.

 (2)  A BROS 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.  A BROS
who has

or has ever had a licensure or certification revoked for cause, or
voluntarily relinquished

such license or certification after being notified in writing by the State
of potential

revocation for cause, the applicant is ineligible for employment and must be
removed

from the GS-601 series.  This applies even if the applicant possesses one or
more

valid, unrestricted license or registration (38 §U.S.C. 7402(f)).

 (e)  Grandfathering Provision.  All BROSs employed in VHA in this
occupation on

the effective date 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.

For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements required in this
standard,

but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they
were appointed

to it, the following provisions apply.

 (1)  Such employees may be reassigned, promoted up to and including the
full performance

(journey) level, or changed to lower grade within the occupation.

 (2)  Employees who are appointed on a temporary basis prior to the
effective date

of the qualification standard may not have their temporary appointment
extended or

be reappointed, on a temporary or permanent basis, until they fully meet the
basic

requirements of the standard.

 (3)  Employees initially grandfathered into this occupation, who
subsequently obtain

additional education and/or certification(s) that meet all the basic
requirements

of this qualification standard must maintain the required equivalent
credentials

as a condition of employment in the occupation.

 (4)  If a BROS who was retained under this provision leaves the occupation,
the

employee loses protected status and must meet the full VA qualification
standard

requirements in effect at the time of reentry to the occupation.

 (f)  Non-Certified BROS Hired Temporary.  Non-certified BROSs may be given
a temporary

appointment not to exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C.
7405(c)(2).

Temporary BROSs may be converted to a GS-12 appointment after one (1) year
with at

least one ACVREP certification and the second ACVREP certification must be
obtained

no later than two (2) years after the date of the initial appointment.
Non-certified

employees appointed temporarily as BROSs may not be converted to an
appointment under

38 U.S.C. 7401(3) as a GS-12 without obtaining two ACVREP certifications.

English Language Proficiency.  BROSs must be proficient in spoken and
written English

as required by VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph

GRADE REQUIREMENTS

 a.  Definitions

 (1)  Affiliated.  Means affiliated for the purposes of health care
training.

 (2)  Creditable Experience

 (a)  Knowledge of Professional Blind Rehabilitation Practice.  To be
creditable,

the experience must demonstrate possession of the knowledge, skills,
abilities, and

other characteristics associated with current blind and vision
rehabilitation practice

as outlined in the current scope and standards of practice for blind and
vision rehabilitation.

One or more of the following may have evidenced this:

 1.  The equivalent of 1 year of active practice.  Active practice means
paid/non-paid

employment (VA or Non-VA) as a BRS or BROS.

 2.  Academic course work leading to an advanced degree in blind or vision
rehabilitation

or related therapeutic intervention program.

 (b)  Quality of Experience

 1.  Work as a graduate BROS directly related to the position to be filled;
and/or

 2.  The work to be credited is at a level comparable to BROS experience at
the same

or next lower grade level than the grade level being considered for
placement.

 (3)  Part-Time Experience.  Part-time experience as a professional BROS is
credited

according to its relationship to the full-time work week.  For example, a
BROS would

receive 1 week of full-time credit for each 2 weeks of half-time work.

 (4)  Content Specialty.  Specialized content areas of blind and vision
rehabilitation

include, but are not limited to, orientation and mobility, low vision
therapy, vision

rehabilitation therapy, manual skills, technology and computer access for
the people

who are visually impaired, and case-management for disability resulting from
blindness.

 b.  Grade Determinations.  In addition to the basic requirements, the
following

criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of
candidates.

In addition to the qualification requirements listed above your application
will

also evaluated based on the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities listed below.

 (1)  GS-11 BROS (Entry level)

 (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.

 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 of Staff BROS.  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 and are responsible for decision-making and for
independent

care under the direction of their supervisor and the Blind Rehabilitation
National

Consultant for their region.  Individuals in this assignment serve as a
member of

a specialty care team.  At the GS-11 level, BROS will receive training and
oversight

from the Blind Rehabilitation National Consultant for their region.

 (2)  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.

 (c)  Assignments

 1.  Sole Practice BROS.  Individuals in this assignment may serve as the
only BROS

at a medical center or an outpatient clinic or in patients’ homes and
communities

and, are responsible for independent decision-making and independent care.
Individuals

in this assignment may serve as a member of or as consultant to a specialty
care

team such as the Polytrauma System of Care.  BROS will demonstrate mastery
abilities

in two of the blind/vision rehabilitation specialty areas: orientation and
mobility,

low vision therapy, and vision rehabilitation therapy.  BROS will also
demonstrate

advanced skill in the practice of the other content specialties in blind
rehabilitation,

e.g., computer training and manual skills.  At the GS-12 level, BROS
practice independently,

seeking support from the Blind Rehabilitation Service National Consultant
for the

region when necessary.

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

Al

l 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.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Heavy lifting, 45 pounds and over

Moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds

Use of fingers

Walking 4-6 hours

Standing4-6 hours

Near vision correctable at 13” to 16” to Jaeger 1 to 4

Ability to distinguish basic colors

Hearing (aid permitted)

Far vision correctable in one

Clear speech

Emotional and Mental stability

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.

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

.

OTHER INFORMATION:

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

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)
onFriday, 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.

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:

All applicants arerequiredto submit the following supporting document
type(s):

·Other (vha-2850c- assoc health, CSC-665 Ability to drive safely)

·Resume

·Transcript

Applicants may also submit the following supporting document type(s),which
may not

be required for all applicants:

·Cover Letter

·DD-214

·OF-306

·Other Veterans Document

·SF-15

·SF-50

VA Form 10-2850c

- Application for Associated Health Occupations (Available at

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

)(required).

CSC Form 665 -UNITED STATES CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION Form Approved

ABILITY TO DRIVE SAFELY

http://www.boston.va.gov/careers/CSC_Form_665.pdf

(Required).

careers/CSC_Form_665.pdf

Please

use this

checklist

to make sure you have included

other documents required for your application, such as a copy of your

transcript (if using education to qualify),

documentation

to support Veterans Preference claims, or ICTAP/CTAP documentation (for

displaced Federal employees). You will not be contacted for additional

information.

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 917149.

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

QuestionnaireView Occupational Questionnaire

AGENCY CONTACT INFO:

Job Information

Phone: (774)826-1269

Email: VHABHSJOBS at VA.GOV

Agency Information:

Surgical Service

940 Belmont St

Brockton,

MA

02301

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.

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Agency Information:

Surgical Service

940 Belmont St

Brockton,

MA

02301

Questions about this job:

Job Information

Phone: (774)826-1269

Email: VHABHSJOBS at VA.GOV

Job Announcement Number:

VHA-523-13-917149

Control Number:

346593900