Blind Rehabilitation Specialist​/Low Vision Therapist

Summary

The primary purpose of the position is to manage and provide direct blind and vision rehabilitation training services to visually impaired Veterans and Service members. The incumbent assesses - trains - manages - and provides follow-up for Veterans using clinical resources of the facility. The LVT also interacts with Rehabilitation Medicine - Audiology - Social Work - Prosthetic and Sensory Aids - and other Services and agencies of the VA and the community.

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:
  
  (a) 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 - (b) 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
• Certification
• Required at the GS‑11 grade level and above
• (1) 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
• NOTE:
  
  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 (as listed in subparagraph (2)) below: (2) BRS who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows:
• Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS®)
• Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®)
• Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®)
• Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS®)
• Grade Determinations:
  In addition to the basic requirements - the following criteria must be used when determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates
• This criteria is consistent with the two grade interval structure for professional/scientific professions found in VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Appendix G17
• Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (BRS) GS 09 Entry Level (1) Experience
• Bachelor's degree and completion of one year of experience.
  
  OR - (2) Education
• Completion of at least two full years of progressive graduate education or a master's degree in a field directly related to this position
• Certification
• No certification is required at this level
• Demonstrated Knowledge - Skills - and Abilities (KSAs)
• In addition to the education and experience above the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs in their resume: (a) Knowledge of policies and procedures of the blind/vision rehabilitation service (b) Knowledge of administration and interpretation of assessments and evaluations in blind/vision rehabilitation (c)…