Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (VIST Coordinator) Job in Bay Pines, FL

Vacancy No. CBTC-12797688-25-AB Department Veterans Health Administration
Salary $73,939.00 to $115,213.00 Grade 11 to 12
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 9/11/2025 Close Date 9/18/2025
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Status Candidates
Locations:
Bay Pines, FL


Summary

This Blind Rehabilitation Specialist position services as a Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) Coordinator. The VIST Coordinator develops, implements, directs and evaluates the Visual Impairment Service (VIS) Team program, located at the Bay Pines Healthcare System. The VIST Coordinator has major responsibility for the coordination of all services for visually impaired Veterans and Service members and their families through the Visual Impairment Services Team.


This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

This job is open to current permanent Department of Veteran Affairs employees.

Duties

The VIST Coordinator is responsible for following a model of lifetime care coordination offered to all Veterans with visual impairment who are eligible to receive services. The model requires varying degrees of interventions based on the clinical and psychosocial needs of each Veteran.

The Visual Impairment Service Team Coordinator (VIST) case manages patient care and provides care coordination, assessments and blind and low vision rehabilitation to help Veterans reclaim the confidence and skills needed to lead an independent, fulfilling life after 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 extent possible..

VIST Coordinators are responsible for Program Administration, Outreach and Education, Case Management, and treatment. Duties include but are not limited to:

  • Determining if additional intervention by other providers will be needed in order to develop a Veteran's individualized treatment plan. In such instances, the BRS clinician is expected to refer, consult, educate and/or cotreat with other providers in order to support the Veteran in addressing individualized goals
  • Developing a strong VIST Team program by providing effective leadership and high visibility at the VA facility.
  • Ensuring the update and maintenance of the VIST roster including all legally blind and low vision Veterans enrolled at a given VA medical facility.
  • Building/developing a strong VIS Team with membership consisting of Service Chiefs or designates who are in a position to implement policy.
  • Providing outreach and education to VA medical facility and non-VA agencies and personnel through brochures and other educational materials about Veteran counseling and family information
  • Identifying gaps in services and/or programs and revising care in consultation with supervisor /VIS Team/management/Blind Rehabilitation National Consultant.
  • Participating and developing quality assurance and quality improvement activities with oversight from the program office.
  • Developing written policies/procedures/documentation for VIST program to meet Joint Commission standards. Monitoring and assisting in developing and updating service agreements and assisting in developing VA medical facility operating procedures pertinent to blindness and visual impairment.
  • Completing written narrative reports and presenting same as requested for VA medical facility and national program office.
  • Developing educational materials, in a variety of media that can be utilized to help achieve VIST outreach goals and objectives. Conducting monthly VIST support groups for Veterans on various topics to enhance outreach, education, adjustment to sight loss, and peer-to-peer engagement.
  • Providing in-service educational training for VA and non-VA agencies and personnel.
  • Utilizing developed methodologies to identify Veterans who may be eligible for VIST program services, to include identifying blind Veterans from VA medical center encounters and diagnostic codes entered in electronic medical records.
  • Educating VA medical center staff on the functional implications of vision loss, blind rehabilitation matters and services.
  • Ensuring the recommended prosthetic devices and rehabilitation interventions are in alignment with the Veteran's goals and individualized rehabilitation plan.
  • Referring Veterans to the appropriate service component in the continuum of care for visually impaired Veterans.
  • Collaborating closely with Blind Rehabilitation/clinical staff for coordination of care.
  • Completing required patient record documentation that is meaningful, accurate, timely and concise.
  • Inputting referrals/required information in national Blind Rehabilitation database to avoid fragmented care.
  • Providing follow-up for rehabilitation services that the Veteran has received.

*****Preferred experience:
  • Previous experience working with blind individuals

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Compressed/Flexible:Not Available
Telework: Not Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 000000
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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 trial period.
  • 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.
  • 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).

Qualifications

Applicants must meet the requirements by the closing date of this announcement 09/18/2025

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.
  • 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.
  • Education. Applicants must have earned ONE of the following:
    • 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 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.
      • MUST SUBMIT DOCUMENTS WITH APPLICATION (transcripts, diploma or certificates).
      • 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.
    • 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.
      • 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.
      • 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. Note: A Doctoral degree in social work may not be substituted for the Master's degree in Social Work. 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.
May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements, the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.

GS-11 BRS VIST Coordinator
  • Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to GS-11.
  • OR
  • Education. Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Doctoral Degree; or Doctoral Degree in Blind Rehabilitation or a directly related field.
  • Certification. VIST Coordinators must meet the certification requirements listed above. VIST Coordinators may be credentialed/certified through any of the following:
  • Certification via the ACVREP OR
  • Licensure via the state Social Worker Licensure Board OR
  • Certification via the CRSS OR
  • Equivalent and relevant professional credential in counseling or rehabilitation. Examples of other health care occupations may include but are not limited to Marriage and Family Therapists or Licensed Mental Health Counselors.
GS-11 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA).
In addition to meeting the KSA's described at the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSA's on their resume. Located under Education section.


GS-12 BRS VIST Coordinator (Full Performance Level)

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 listed above.

GS-12 Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA).
In addition to meeting the KSA's described at the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSA's on their resume. Located under Education section. Physical Requirements: It requires reaching overhead, reaching at or below the shoulder, pushing, pulling, some light lifting less than 25lbs. Walking, bending, sitting, and stooping. The employee works with outpatients in a medical center setting and occasionally with inpatients.

References: VA Handbook 5005/109, Appendix G41, dated March 13, 2019
For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

Education

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

GS-11 BRS VIST Coordinator
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA). 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. If selected, you may be required to submit narrative responses then. These are the KSA's for this position and grade level:

(a) Ability to 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 about visual
impairment.
(b) Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions.
(c) Ability to write a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes.
(d) Knowledge of VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs.
(e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers and other stakeholders.
(f) Knowledge of psychological, rehabilitation, and counseling theories and principles.
(g) Ability to coordinate with various resources to identify suitable training programs.

GS-12 BRS VIST Coordinator
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSA).
(a) 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.
(b) Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for therapeutic interventions.
(c) Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines and contains observable, measurable goals that identify specific outcomes.
(d) Knowledge of VA and non-VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs.
(e) Skill in interpersonal relationships dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders.
(f) Knowledge of psychological, rehabilitation, and counseling theories and principles.
(g) Ability to coordinate with various resources to identify and refer Veterans to suitable training programs.
(h) 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.

Additional information

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

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

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

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.

If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

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.

Area of Consideration - Eligible applications will be reviewed and referred in the following order by highest grade level:
1. Current permanent VA employees of the facility.
2. Current permanent VA employees of VISN8.
3. All other VA employees.

Required Documents

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

  • Resume
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


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 (VA)
  • Any certification via the ACVREP
  • Certification via the CRCC
  • Licensure via the Social Worker Licensure Board
  • Professional Certification
  • Resume
  • SF-15
  • SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action
  • Transcript


Veterans' preference does not apply for internal or other current permanent Federal agency employees.

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

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. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

All applicants are encouraged to apply online. To apply for this position, you must complete the full questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section below. The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 09/18/2025 to receive consideration. To preview the questionnaire click https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12797688.

  1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USA JOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.
  2. Click Submit My Answers to submit your application package.

NOTE: It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date.

Agency contact information

Ashley Beaver
Address
CW Bill Young Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
10000 Bay Pines Boulevard
Bay Pines, FL 33744
US

Next steps

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview. All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.

You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons. Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties. VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities. HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities. HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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