Apply on Employer Site

USAJOBS · 2 months ago

Blind Rehabilitation Specialist - Low Vision Therapy

Kings County, New York, USA

Full-time

Onsite

Mid, Senior Level

$72K/yr - $113K/yr

1+ years exp

USAJOBS is seeking a Blind Rehabilitation Specialist at the Brooklyn VA Medical Center within the Optometry Department. The primary responsibility of this role is to provide blind and vision rehabilitation services for visually impaired Veterans and Service members, including low vision therapy and orientation and mobility training.

ConsultingGovernmentHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologyInternetStaffing Agency

No H1B

U.S. Citizen Only

Responsibilities

Assessing the patient's background, interests, future plans, motivation, needs, and capabilities for low vision therapy

Working with team members to develop a training plan based on low vision therapy assessment results, patient goals and needs

Evaluating (with other team members and ancillary staff as needed) the veteran's mental ability, tactual perception, memory, spelling, study habits, as well as adaptive technology capacity

Uses effective interviewing techniques to obtain objective and factual information pertaining to the veteran's low vision adjustment, deficits, interests and aptitudes in assessment of specific skill areas

Completes a functional low vision evaluation that identifies the impact of visual impairments on activities of daily living, orientation and mobility, vocational/avocational activities and personal adjustments

Use of functional vision evaluation tools under the supervision of the optometrist/ophthalmologist to assess visual acuity, contrast sensitivity function, visual perceptual and visual motor functioning and literacy skills in reading and writing

Evaluation of optical/ nonoptical/ electronic devices for enhancing residual vision at near, intermediate and far distances

Evaluation and training of veterans in the use of illumination, glare control and contrast techniques to optimize the use of optical devices, in all tasks of daily living

Evaluation of appropriate devices prescribed by the eye care professional

Provides training on specific visual motor skills, which includes the identification and use of preferred retinal locus for fixation/eccentric viewing, accurate saccades, etc

Provides instruction in the use of adaptive equipment that enhances visual function and/or compensates for loss of vision. This may include use of large print, reading stands, lighting management (lamps, filters and other illumination control), writing aids, software and electronic devices to address

Evaluating each veteran's safety habits and self confidence while performing low vision therapy related tasks

Providing consultation and vision rehabilitation therapy instruction to VA staff, family members, etc. as appropriate

Counseling veteran's regarding the advantages and limitations of various low vision therapy techniques and adaptive devices as well as the veteran's potential and progress

Recommending, training and ordering prosthetic devices to meet individual needs

Evaluating the veteran's ability to utilize residual vision for computer access

Presenting in-service, consultation, intra-VA details and community programs about low vision therapy and blind rehabilitation

Documenting, in written form, the patient's progress, barriers to training and current treatment plan

Attending and actively participating in staff/team meetings and serving as an integral member of the multi-disciplinary team

Writing required treatment plans, progress notes, and summaries for veteran treatment

Provides guidance to other blind rehabilitation professionals regarding veterans computer training needs

Maintaining 5.0 data as needed by VA Blind Rehabilitation

Assisting in the research in the evaluation of new devices and techniques for inclusion into the Blind Rehabilitation program

Keeping abreast of current literature, teaching strategies, and technological advances specific to computer access training

Completing required hours for VA educational training

Assists team members with evaluation and training of veterans to perform activities of daily living within the scope of their certifications/disciplines

Performing other duties as assigned

Qualification

Low Vision TherapyOrientationMobilityVision Rehabilitation TherapyAssistive TechnologyCertification in Blind RehabilitationAssessmentEvaluationTeam CoordinationInstructional MethodsCounseling SkillsCommunication Skills

Required

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

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)

Completion of all application requirements detailed in the 'Required Documents' section of this announcement

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

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university that included, or was supplemented by, at least one of the following: at least 30 semester hours of directly related, upper level undergraduate courses, one full year of directly related graduate level coursework, 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

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

Low Vision Therapists Must BE Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®)

In addition to the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade

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 is required at this grade level and above. Staff BRS candidates must meet the certification requirements in paragraph 3c(1) above

BRSs at the GS-11 grade level must have at least one certification from ACVREP or a related, equivalent, professional certification

Knowledge of policies and procedures of the blind/vision rehabilitation service

Knowledge of administration and interpretation of assessments and evaluations in blind/vision rehabilitation

Ability to develop a basic written blind/vision rehabilitation plan from assessment results and develop more complex plans with consultation from supervisor

Skill in instructing Veterans and families in a meaningful rehabilitation program and applying blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic techniques

Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision prosthetic devices for Veterans within the scope of practice

Ability to serve as team coordinator for assigned Veterans during their rehabilitation programs

Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision rehabilitation prosthetic devices for Veterans within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required

Ability to employ interventions and unusual motivational techniques and coordinate treatment with other professionals to achieve outcomes of the rehabilitation plan

Skill in instructional methods and learning principles

Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes

Ability to properly assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions

Knowledge and understanding of highly specialized complex evaluations and diagnostic tests and procedures of blind/vision rehabilitation