Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open only to current, permanent Department of Veterans Affairs employees past, current and upcoming participants of the VA Health Professions Training (HPT) Graduates and all US Citizens. NOTE: The 2-page Resume requirement does not apply to this position. For more information, refer to Required Documents below.

This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until March 09, 2027 .The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be March 18, 2026, with subsequent cut-off dates every two weeks until 03/09/2027. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Applicants who are referred will be considered for 90 days, after 90 days applicants will have to reapply.

Duties include but are not limited to:

The Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS) 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/OIF/OND Veterans who may have wound and trauma related vision loss. 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 needs and assuring the delivery of services that are responsive to the concerns of individual patients to the fullest extent possible.

The BROS, in conjuction with Blind Rehabilitation Center, the Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST), and other facility resources, is responsible for identifying beneficiaries who have the potential to benefit from blind and vision rehabilitation training. The BROS consults with the VIST, VA eye clinics, the Blind Rehabilitation Center, the Low Vision Clinic, and community resources to locate Veterans and to offer direct blind and vision rehabilitation services in the five skill areas in the Veteran's home or elsewhere in the community as needed.

The BROS is responsible for blind and vision rehabilitation assessment, planning, training, and outcomes evaluation on each Veteran for whom service is provided. The BROS uses objective and subjective assessment tools and methods that require broad, advanced knowledge across the five skill areas. The BROS consults local, regional, and national resources for information. The BROS selects, interprets, and adapts traditional strategies in order to meet Veteran needs. The BROS develops an individualized rehabilitation treatment plan for each Veteran with rehabilitation potential. Each plan includes Veteran and/or family goals, along with achievable, measurable outcomes. For Veterans admitted to a Blind Rehabilitation Center, the plan will be communicated to the center to aid in planning inpatient rehabilitation training.

The BROS prioritizes rehabilitation training activities to maximize the number of Veterans served, consistent with quality care and safety. Rehabilitation training to meet immediate safety needs will be the highest priority. Veterans scheduled for admission to an inpatient Blind Rehabilitation Center will have a home assessment by the BROS whenever possible to help guide program planning at the Blind Rehabilitation Center. The BROS will plan with the Blind Rehabilitation Center treatment team for local Veterans who, on discharge from the Blind Rehabilitation Center, are expected to have post-discharge needs. Veterans with blind rehabilitation needs who are unable to attend a Blind Rehabilitation Center program will receive appropriate services from the BROS. When possible, the BROS utilizes outpatient facilities to more efficiently serve the needs of Veterans.

To maximize each Veteran's rehabilitation potential, the BROS uses a wide variety of complex training aids and devices. The BROS uses complex assessment tools and trains Veterans in the use of sophisticated prosthetics and sensory aids to meet their needs, such as computer access programs for the blind and visually impaired. The BROS works closely with local VIST, the VIST Coordinator, the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service, and the Blind Rehabilitation Center to identify, recommend, and obtain the necessary equipment for Veterans and to provide the necessary training.


The BROS functions as an independent provider of blind and vision rehabilitation services and is responsible for ensuring that documentation of assessments, rehabilitation training progress, and recommendations, as well as documentation of consults and referrals, is properly entered in the Veteran's electronic medical record.

Other duties as assigned

Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Available (Ad-hoc) Needs of the Service
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #:000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.

Qualifications

HPT's 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.
• 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, [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.

• Certification: (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 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 below:

• 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 COMS.
(b) Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists CVRT.
(c) Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists CLVT.
(d) Assistive technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist CATIS.

• GS-11 Preferred Experience:
  • 0-2 years of clinical experience in providing rehabilitation to severely visually
    impaired veterans
  • Prior professional experience working in Visual Impairment Services for one or
    more years
  • Certification in one of the following: COMS: Certified Orientation and Mobility
    Specialist, CVRT: Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist
    CLVT: Certified Low Vision Therapist or CATIS: Certified Assistive Technology
    Instructional Specialist for People with Visual Impairments
  • 3-5 years of Visual Impairment Services and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy

GS-12 Preferred Experience:

• 3-5 years of clinical experience in providing rehabilitation to severely visually
  impaired veterans
• One or more years of GS-11 level professional experience in outpatient blind
  rehabilitation therapy.
• Certification in two or more of the following: COMS: Certified Orientation and
  Mobility Specialist, CVRT: Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist
  CLVT: Certified Low Vision Therapist or CATIS: Certified Assistive Technology
  Instructional Specialist for People with Visual Impairments
• 3-5 years of Visual Impairment Services and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy
• Experience in program development, implementation, and evaluation to ensure
  high-quality care and ability to conduct program analysis and use data to improve service delivery

Grade Determinations: GS-11

• 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
  • Candidates must meet the certification requirements in subparagraph 2c above at least one certification from ACVREP..

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:

• (a) Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation.
• (b) Ability to properly assess a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions.
• (c) [Skill in development and writing of a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes.
• (d) Knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles.
• (e) Ability to employ interventions, unusual motivational techniques, and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan.
• (f) Skill in recommending appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for patients within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required.
• (g) Ability to plan, direct, and distribute work assignments to volunteers, assistants, interns, and/or BRSs at lower grade levels and perform assigned mentoring duties for staff, students, and interns.

Grade Determinations: GS-12

• 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.
• Certification
  • (2) Certification. Candidates must meet the certification requirements in subparagraph 3c above. BROS at the GS-12 grade level must achieve two ACVREP certifications to demonstrate full mastery in two areas of blind rehabilitation.
• 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 independently develop, plan, and administer complex treatment programs.
• (b) 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.
• (c) Ability to coordinate, motivate, and effectively manage staff and/or committee members to include organizing work, setting priorities, and delegating tasks and responsibilities.
• (d) Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as a consultant or mentor.
• (e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders.
• (f) Ability to identify team group dynamics, objectively observe, and modify behaviors.
• (g) 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

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, resume, 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

Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link https://vacareers.va.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/Resume.docx to download the standard Clinical Resume Document. This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.

Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.



The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position. Please 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)
• Performance Appraisal
• Professional Certification
• Resume
• Separation Notice (RIF)
• SF-15
• SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
• Transcript

Veterans' Preference: When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible Veterans should claim preference for 5pt (TP), 10pt (CP/CPS/XP), or for Sole Survivor Preference (SSP) in the questionnaire. You must provide a legible copy of your DD214(s) which shows dates and character of service (honorable, general, etc.). If you are currently serving on active duty and expect to be released or discharged within 120 days you must submit documentation related to your active duty service which reflects the dates of service, character of service (honorable, general, etc.), and 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 Veteran Preference" with required proof as stated on the form. Documentation is required to award preference. For more information on Veterans' Preference, please visit Feds Hire Vets - Veterans - Job Seekers - Veterans' Preference.

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