Blind rehabilitation specialist (visual skills) Community, Social Services & Nonprofit - Hines, IL at Geebo

Blind rehabilitation specialist (visual skills)

Company Name:
Department Of Veterans Affairs
United States Citizens Permanent Full Time
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?
Vacancy Identification Number (VIN):1126106
AREA OF CONSIDERATION: 1. CURRENT PERMANENT EMPLOYEES OF THE AGENCY FOR WHICH THE POSITION IS BEING ADVERTISED 2. ALL OTHER CANDIDATES.
NOTE: The full performance level of this vacancy is GS11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS7 to GS11. 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.
The primary purpose of this position is to provide blind and vision rehabilitation services for visually impaired Veterans and Service members. Blind Rehabilitation includes the disciplines of low vision therapy, orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, manual skills instruction and computer access instruction. This position is specific to provide outpatient Low Vision services.
The preferred candidate is one who possess certification from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP); and possesses two years of professional experience. The salary range for the GS11 grade level is from $63,538 to $82,600.
U. S. Citizenship Must pass pre-employment examination English Language Proficiency required Designated and-or Random Drug Testing required Background and-or Security Investigation required Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959
Provide direct patient care and support services.
Tailor patient care and support services to meet the needs of the individual patient.
Evaluate and assess needs, capabilities and limitations, goal setting and prescribing a treatment plan for individuals experiencing blindness/visual impairment caused by injury or disease.
Study visual and non-visual barriers and related processes that result in activity limitations, participation restrictions, loss of vocational and avocational opportunities, and psychological distress.
Use diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and instrumentation to identify and resolve or minimize problems.
Identify the difficulties confronting the Veteran and the barriers to treatment and then develop and provide intervention designed to enhance the blind and vision rehabilitation process.
Develop a treatment plan in conjunction with an interdisciplinary team to improve the quality of life for blind and visually impaired Veterans through the development of skills and capabilities needed for personal independence, emotional stability and the successful integration into community, family, and environment.
Mentor new VS staff, current staff from other departments, and interns that may require cross-training within the department.
Work with family members and/or significant others to educate and counsel about the ramifications of visual impairment.
Family members are taught to recognize and change behaviors and behavior patterns that impede blind and vision rehabilitation progress and how to cope with the psychological and social problems and their own individual stress.
Maintain awareness of new technological developments in the field through research and education.
Serve as a subject matter expert for other medical and allied health staff by providing counseling to healthcare providers and professionals on the nature of visual impairment and blind and vision rehabilitation.
Serve as a mentor for clinical trainees within the specific disciplines.
Work Schedule: 7:30 am - 4:00 pm Monday - Friday
The preferred candidate is one who possess certification from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP); and possesses two years of professional experience.
To qualify for this position, applicants must meet all requirements by the closing date of this announcement.
_BASIC REQUIREMENTS (GS-7 is the entry level grade):_

U.S. citizenship.
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
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 in the core curriculum in orientation and mobility, 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.

Proficient in spoken and written English.
GRADE DETERMINATIONS:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR GS-9 LEVEL: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of experience equivalent to the next lower grade level or completion of at least two full years of progressive graduate education or a master's degree in a field directly related to the position. In addition to the KSAs in subparagraph 2(c) above, the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
KSA1 : Knowledge of policies and procedures of the blind/vision rehabilitation service.
KSA2 : Knowledge of administration and interpretation of assessments and evaluations in blind/vision rehabilitation.
KSA3: Ability to develop a basic written blind/vision rehabilitation plan from assessment results and develop more complex plans with consultation from supervisor.
KSA4: Skill in instructing patients and families in a meaningful rehabilitation program and applying blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic techniques.
KSA5 : Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision prosthetic devices for patients within the scope of practice.
KSA6: Ability to serve as team coordinator for assigned patients during their rehabilitation programs.
_SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE FOR GS-11 LEVEL:_ 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.
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.
In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-9 level, you must fully demonstrate the following professional KSAs:
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
KSA1: Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation.
KSA2: Ability to properly assess a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions.
KSA3: Ability to write a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes.
KSA4 : Knowledge of teaching methods and learning principles.
KSA5 : Ability to employ interventions, unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan.
KSA6 : Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for patients within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required.
KSA7: 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.
IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE WILL NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE . If your resume/application does not support your questionnaire answers, we will not allow credit for your response(s).
If you are referred for consideration, you may be asked to submit additional job related information, which may include, but not limited to; responses to the knowledge, skills and abilities; completion of a work sample, and/or contact for an interview.
Veterans'' Preference: 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 ._
Your application, r sum 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.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button at the right side of this screen to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the occupational questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
YOU MUST INCLUDE VA FORM 10-2850C IN YOUR APPLICATION PACKAGE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS VACANCY. You may upload the completed form to your USAJOBS account if you apply online. Then you can use the uploaded form again and again when applying for future vacancies. Please see this guide ( ) for more information on uploading and re-using the form in your applications. Other required forms and documents can also be saved in your account and used the same way. Applicants are urged to apply online; this process is much easier and faster.
Note: To return to a previously Saved or Incomplete application, just reapply through your account in USAJOBS. Check your account (_ ) to see the status of your application after applying, including any messages that may have been sent to you.
If you cannot apply online:
1. Click the following link to view and print the occupational questionnaire: View Occupational Questionnaire.
2. Print this 1203FX form to provide your response to the occupational questionnaire: .
3. Fax the completed 1203FX form along with all supporting documents to . Your 1203FX form must be placed on top of all materials being faxed and will serve as a cover page for your fax transmission.
4. Keep a copy of your fax receipt in case verification is needed.
To fax supporting documents you are unable to upload:
1. Complete this cover page using the following Vacancy ID: 1126106. You must use this fax cover sheet in order for your documents to be matched with your online application.
2. Fax your documents to .
The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (EST) on Friday, May 30, 2014.
To be considered for this position you must provide a complete application package which includes:

CV or Resume - include: contact information; descriptions of jobs, including name and address of employer, job title, beginning and ending date (month/year) of employment, average hours worked per week, and supervisor''s name and phone number; education, including name and location of college, dates attended, and type and date of degree earned; and other information, such as licenses, certificates, etc. Descriptions of duties must sufficiently detail the level of the experience. If the position is (was) with the Federal government, either military or civilian, state series and grade or pay grade (rank) and date of last promotion.

VA Form 10-2850c - Application for Associated Health Occupations (Available at ) (required).

Transcripts (required)

Responses to theOccupational Questionnaire View Occupational Questionnaire (required)

Optional Form 306 - Declaration for Federal Employment (Available at ). This is a required form and must be submitted with your application.

If prior military service, include all copies of your DD Forms 214 (required). Applicants claiming preference based on service-connected disability, or based on being the spouse or mother of a disabled or deceased Veteran, must also complete and submit an SF 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference (available at ).

If currently employed in the federal system, include latest SF-50 - Notification of Personnel Action. (required).
APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE: The selecting official for this position is not allowed access to your electronic OPF which is why it is required for you to submit a thorough and complete resume to include all of your relevant work information (i.e. starting and ending dates of employment, hours worked, duties, etc). The resume you provide through this application process is forwarded to the selecting official. It is highly recommended that you use the resume builder in USA JOBS as it contains all of the information we need to determine whether or not you are qualified for this position. Failure to provide a resume and all the documents requested in the announcement may render you not qualified for the position you are applying for.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL receive a rating of IFM (ineligible due to missing forms). Requests for reconsideration of ratings will not be considered for applicants who fail to submit a complete application package. _We cannot be held responsible for incompatible software or fax transmissions, etc._
Only send documentation as requested/required by this announcement and that directly supports your qualifications for this position.
NOTICE: Eligible Interagency Career Transition Assistance Program (ICTAP) applicant you may apply for special selection over other candidates for this position . To be well-qualified and exercise selection priority for this vacancy, displaced Federal employees must be rated at 85 or above on the rating criteria for this position. ICTAP eligible must submit one of the following as proof of eligibility for the special selection priority: a separation notice; a Notice of Personnel Action (SF-50) documenting separation; an agency certification that you cannot be placed after injury compensation has been terminated; an OPM notification that your disability annuity has been terminated; OR a Military Department or National Guard Bureau notification that you are retired under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456.
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.
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 .
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 employee''s 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. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.
Placement Policy: The posting of this announcement does not obligate management to fill a vacancy or vacancies by promotion. The position may be filled by reassignment, change to lower grade, transfer, appointment, or reinstatement. Management may use any one or any combination of these methods to fill the position.
This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.
This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.Estimated Salary: $20 to $28 per hour based on qualifications.

Don't Be a Victim of Fraud

  • Electronic Scams
  • Home-based jobs
  • Fake Rentals
  • Bad Buyers
  • Non-Existent Merchandise
  • Secondhand Items
  • More...

Don't Be Fooled

The fraudster will send a check to the victim who has accepted a job. The check can be for multiple reasons such as signing bonus, supplies, etc. The victim will be instructed to deposit the check and use the money for any of these reasons and then instructed to send the remaining funds to the fraudster. The check will bounce and the victim is left responsible.