The Visual Impairment Service Team Coordinator case manages patient care and support services to an adult population of patients which is characterized by a very significant number of older male/female patients as well as young OEF/OIF/OND Veterans who may have wound and trauma related vision loss. Review of demographic data discloses that the average of our participants was 73.2 years old, ages ranging from 39-95 years old and the majority of participants were males (98.6%). Within these broad categorizations, the employee 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 need and assuring the delivery of services is responsive to the concerns of individual patients to the extent possible. Some duties may include, but are not limited to:

• The Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinator is responsible for planning, developing, implementing, directing, evaluating and administering the VIS Team Program at the San Juan VA Caribbean Healthcare System.
• The VIS Team Coordinator motivates VIST members by providing strong leadership at meetings with agenda, minutes, visions, goals and membership involvement.
• The VIST Coordinator identifies gaps in services and develops a plan in consultation with the VIS Team, the Chief of Primary Care Service and others as appropriate to improve service delivery.
• The VIST Coordinator develops and administers a formal systematic plan to review and appraise the effectiveness of each phase of the VIS Team program, in accordance with the VA Central Office and local facility policies and procedures. He (she) plans, develops and adjusts the VIS Team program to resolve patient problems, concerns, and improves service delivery. After analyzing review and appraisal results, and reporting findings to management, he (she) uses information gathered as a basis for effecting indicating improvements. Annually develops program goals and objectives which are achievable and measurable.
• The VIST Coordinator has major responsibility for the case management and coordination of services to blind/visually impaired veterans, Active Duty Service members and their families.
• The Coordinator operates as an experienced professional with full responsibility for patient evaluations and the soundness of recommendations.
• The VIST Coordinator provides therapeutic adjustment counseling to sight loss, assessing the need for rehabilitation, developing treatment plans, recommending adaptive devices and providing education on VA and community benefits and services.
• The VIST Coordinator works collaboratively with all components of blind rehabilitation Service within the VA Caribbean Healthcare System which includes: The Blind Center and the BROS (Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist) and the VIST Coordinator in the Ponce/Mayaguez Clinic.
• The VIST Coordinator provides presentations, training programs and orientation sessions to its staff and outside agencies as well as to veteran and family groups.
• The VIST Coordinator serves as a liaison and consultant in matters related to visual impairment and blindness. He (she) serves as technical advisor to members of Home Based Primary Care, Home Improvement and Home Improvement and Structural Alterations (HISA) committee.
• The VIST Coordinator develops and maintains screening procedures to target the population within and outside the VA. The VIST Coordinator has specialized knowledge of VA rating criteria for sight loss and develops a formal liaison with the Regional Office staff for coordination of benefit claims and notification of ratings which reach the legal blindness level.

Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00am-4:30pm
Compressed/Flexible:Not available
Telework: Not available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position
Functional Statement #: Blind Rehab Specialist (VIST Coordinator)
EDRP Authorized: Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Must pass pre-employment physical examination.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) - See "Additional Information" below for details.

Physical Requirements: This position requires reaching overhead, reaching at or below the shoulder, pushing, pulling, some light lifting less than 25lbs. Walking, bending, sitting and stooping.

Qualifications

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:

• Citizenship: Be a 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 3.g., of this part.)
• Education
  • The individual must have earned:
    • 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,
    • 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: 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. NOTE: The ACVREP administers four certification programs: Low Vision Therapy, Orientation and Mobility, Assistive Technology Instruction and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. They may then use the designation for the certification they hold (as listed in subparagraph (2)) below:
  • BRS who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows:
    • Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS®).
    • Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®).
    • Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®).
    • Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS®).
  • BRS Advanced Practitioners at the GS-13 grade level must possess two certifications awarded by ACVREP.
  • 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:
    • Any certification via the ACVREP, OR,
    • 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,
    • Certification via the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, (CRC), OR,
    • 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.]
• English Language 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.

Grade Determinations: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

GS-11 (VIST Coordinator) must have the following:

• Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to GS-9 grade level.
• Certification: VIST Coordinators must meet the certification requirements in paragraph 3c(3) above.
  • BRS Advanced Practitioners must possess two certifications awarded by ACVREP. The ACVREP administers four certification programs: Low Vision Therapy, Orientation and Mobility, Assistive Technology Instruction and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy.

GS-12 (VIST Coordinator-Full Performance Level) must have the following:

• 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.
• Certification: VIST Coordinators must meet the certification requirements in paragraph 3c(3) above.
  • BRS Advanced Practitioners must possess two certifications awarded by ACVREP. The ACVREP administers four certification programs: Low Vision Therapy, Orientation and Mobility, Assistive Technology Instruction and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy.

While we no longer require essay-style responses to our Knowledge's Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics (KSAOs), you must be able to demonstrate that you possess the (below) competencies which are necessary to perform the work of the position. Please ensure your resume/CV/application contains sufficient information to support the level of experience/education/training; otherwise, we will not be able to award you credit for the experience/education/training you claim. These are the KSA's for this subject position:

1. 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.
2. Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for therapeutic interventions.
3. Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines and contains observable, measurable goals that identify specific outcomes.
4. Knowledge of VA and non-VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs.
5. Skill in interpersonal relationships dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders.
6. Knowledge of psychological, rehabilitation, and counseling theories and principles.
7. Ability to coordinate with various resources to identify and refer Veterans to suitable training programs.
8. 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 Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005/109 Part II Appendix G41, Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Qualification Standard.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, résumé, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Resume

The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please use this checklist to ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc.

• Cover Letter
• DD-214/ Statement of Service
• Disability Letter (Schedule A)
• Disability Letter (VA)
• License
• Other (1)
• PCS Orders
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Next steps