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The VA Boston Blind Rehabilitation Program provides inter-disciplinary vision impairment services. This full-time position is for a Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist/Computer Access Training Specialist (BROS/CAT Specialist) located at the Jamaica Plain campus. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. 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 (1) The individual must have earned: (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: i. 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). ii. One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15 -18 semester hours). iii. 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. iv. 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. c. 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: (a) Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS®). (b) Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®). (c) Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®). (d) Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS®). (3) BRS Advanced Practitioners at the GS-13 grade level must possess two certifications awarded by ACVREP. (4) 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: (a) Any certification via the ACVREP, OR (b) 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 (c) Certification via the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, (CRC), OR (d) 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: GS-12 (Blind Rehabilitation Specialist BROS CAT Specialist (Full Performance Level) (1) 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. (2) Certification. VIST Coordinators must meet the certification requirements in paragraph 3c(3) above. (3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-11 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: [(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. References: VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G41 The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. Physical Requirements: Work involves various physical demands requiring the employee to be versatile in the many functions performed. These include sedentary work performed at a desk with intermittent standing walking, bending, and lifting of lightweight records and supplies (rarely exceeding 25 pounds.) ["Responsibilities -The BROS/CAT Specialist must be well versed in assessment, training, and technical support of blind rehabilitation computer access technology. The incumbent must be proficient in ZoomText, JAWS, GuideConnect, OCR, Voiceover, Windows OS, iProducts, mobile, and tablet computing devices. -The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist possesses professional knowledge and skill in applying concepts, principles, and practices of rehabilitation. -The incumbent should demonstrate mastery in two of the blind/vision rehabilitation specialty areas including: orientation and mobility, low vision therapy, vision rehabilitation therapy, or assistive technology. Duties included but are not limited to: The incumbent reviews and interprets pertinent patient documentation and records as consulted. The incumbent assesses the patient's background, interests, future plans, motivation, learning needs, and aptitude. The incumbent independently evaluates the patient's functional visual capabilities and ability to use large print, synthetic speech, and/or voice recognition to perform computer related activities. The incumbent determines appropriate instructional techniques, implements training plans, and continues to reassess patient needs and goal attainment with the use of specialized access assistive technology throughout the rehabilitation process; modifies as necessary. The incumbent considers input from team members and actively communicates treatment plans. The incumbent recommends appropriate blind rehabilitation devices for patients within scope of practice, making adaptations and modifications as required and articulating justification and training. The incumbent writes a blind rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes. The incumbent assesses a wide variety of patients having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind rehabilitation therapeutic interventions. The incumbent must be experienced with Telehealth and telephone technical support for patients. The incumbent must demonstrate professional interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients, co-workers, supervisors, and other stakeholders. The incumbent sets priorities, meets multiple deadlines, and develops/implements effective solutions. Travel Required\nYou will be expected to travel on home visits for this position Work Schedule: Monday - Friday range from 8:00 am - 4:30 pm\nCompressed/Flexible Work Schedule: Not Authorized\nTelework/Virtual/Remote Work: Not Authorized\nPosition Title/Functional Statement #:Blind Rehabilitation Specialist BROS CAT Specialist/PDF03955\nRelocation/Recruitment, Permanent Change of Station (PCS) or Travel Incentives: Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required\nNotifications: This position is an AFGE Bargaining Unit position. Travel and relocation expenses are not authorized. Selectee may be required to work at any Boston Healthcare System campus, as needed. This position is in the Excepted Service. Selectee will be required to complete additional forms to proceed with employment process. Current and former Federal employees must submit copies of their most recent SF-50, (Notice of Personnel Action). The SF-50 must identify the position title, series, grade, step, tenure and type of service (Competitive or Excepted). In some cases, more than one SF-50 may be required to show a higher grade previously held. Veteran's preference does not apply for other current permanent Federal agency employees."]