USAJOBS · 2 months ago
Blind Rehabilitation Specialist - Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) Coordinator
East Orange, New Jersey, USA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid, Senior Level
$104K/yr - $136K/yr
1+ years expThe VA New Jersey Health Care System is seeking a Blind Rehabilitation Specialist - Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) Coordinator. This role involves planning, developing, implementing, directing, and evaluating the Visual Impairment Service Team program, with a focus on coordinating services for visually impaired Veterans and Service members.
ConsultingGovernmentHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologyInternetStaffing Agency
No H1B
U.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
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 patients as well as young OEF/OIF Veterans who may have 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 extent possible
VIST Coordinators are responsible for: Program Administration including: Developing a strong VIS Team program by providing effective leadership and high visibility at the VA facility. Building/developing a strong VIS Team with membership consisting of Service Chiefs or designates who are in a position to implement policy. Identifying gaps in services and/or programs and revising care in consultation with supervisor VIS Team/management/Blind Rehabilitation National Consultant
Outreach and Education including: Developing a cache of educational materials, in a variety of media that can be utilized to help achieve VIST outreach goals and objectives. 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
VIST Coordinators are case managers for all eligible Veterans who have visual impairments requiring blind rehabilitation services. Other duties include: The coordination and overview of all of the Veteran's blind rehabilitation needs. Determining the intensity of services based upon clinical judgment and the Veteran's goals. Assuring that legally blind patients have this status in their problem lists
VIST Coordinators assess, treat, plan, and follow up treatment for visually impaired Veterans. This includes: Performing assessments to establish Veterans' needs as they relate to the continuum of vision treatment services. Referring Veterans to the appropriate service component in the continuum of care for visually impaired Veterans. Developing focused treatment plans containing goals to meet the Veterans' needs
GS-12 Blind Rehabilitation Specialists-VIST Coordinators must be credentialed via licensure or certification. The incumbent is aligned organizationally under Chief of VISOR who provides general supervision. The BRS National Consultant provides administrative direction in the form of overall program objectives and defines the mission and closely monitors the Visual Impairment Service Team program outcomes and the VIST Coordinator's caseload. The incumbent operates with some latitude using innovative methods and modem technology. Work is carefully reviewed by the National Consultant working with the VIST Coordinator's supervisor on the basis of patient satisfaction and achievement of program objectives and goals, by means of activity reports, program monitor data, workload data, site visits, etc
Performs other duties as assigned
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, with rotating tours of duty as needed. Telework: Not Available. Travel: Yes, Less than 25% (This position is expected to travel to East Orange, Lyons, and Toms River NJ VHA Facilities locations as deemed necessary). Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement : Blind Rehabilitation Specialist -Visual Impairment Service Team (VIST) Coordinator
Qualification
Required
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
Completion of a minimum of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to GS-11 grade level
VIST Coordinators must meet the certification requirements in the paragraph above
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
Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for therapeutic interventions
Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines and contains observable, measurable goals that identify specific outcomes
Knowledge of VA and non-VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs
Skill in interpersonal relationships dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders
Knowledge of psychological, rehabilitation, and counseling theories and principles
Ability to coordinate with various resources to identify and refer Veterans to suitable training programs
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
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.
Company
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