• Job Description

  Req#: 737499900
  The Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Program Coordinator is located in the VA Caribbean Healthcare System, Mayaguez. The VIST Coordinator is responsible for administering the VIST program as well as providing case management and adjustment counseling to blind /severely visually impaired Veterans, their families and Service members in the medical center's catchment area.
  
  
  
  
  Duties
  
  
  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/female patients as well as young OEF/OIF/OND Veterans who may have wound and trauma related vision loss. Review of demographic data discloses that the average of our participants was 73.2 years old, ages ranging from 39-95 years old and the majority of participants were males (98.6%). 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 need and assuring the delivery of services is responsive to the concerns of individual patients to the extent possible. Some duties may include, but are not limited to:
  
  
  Requirements
  
  
  
  
  Qualifications
  
  
  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:
  • Citizenship: Be a citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.g., of this part.)
  • Education-(Transcripts submitted): Applicants must have earned one of the following:
  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, or a closely related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology, and industrial arts education;
  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 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-(Submitted Documentation): Required at the GS-11 grade level and above.
  • 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.
  • 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:
  • 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,
  OR,
  • 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. 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: In addition to meeting the basic requirements stated above, the following qualifications criteria must be met in determining the appropriate grade assignment of candidates.
  
  GS-11 (VIST Coordinator-Full Developmental Level) must have the following:
  • In addition to meeting the basic requirements, do you possess a completion of one (1) year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level.
  OR,
  • Three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Doctoral Degree; or Doctoral Degree in Blind Rehabilitation or a directly related field.
  These are the KSA's for GS-11 Level:
  1. Ability to 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 about visual impairment.
  2. Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions.
  3. Ability to write a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes.
  4. Knowledge of VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs.
  5. Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers and other stakeholders.
  6. Knowledge of psychological, rehabilitation, and counseling theories and principles.
  7. Ability to coordinate with various resources to identify suitable training programs.
  GS-12 (VIST Coordinator-Full Performance Level) must have the following:
  • In addition to meeting the basic and Certification requirements, do you possess a completion of one (1) year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level.
  These are the KSA's for GS-12 Level:
  1. 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.
  2. Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for therapeutic interventions.
  3. Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines and contains observable, measurable goals that identify specific outcomes.
  4. Knowledge of VA and non-VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs.
  5. Skill in interpersonal relationships dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders.
  6. Knowledge of psychological, rehabilitation, and counseling theories and principles.
  7. Ability to coordinate with various resources to identify and refer Veterans to suitable training programs.
  8. 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 Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005/109 Part II Appendix G41, Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Qualification Standard.
  
  Selective Placement Factor: Evidence of the Selective Placement Factor must be reflected in your resume. The SPF for this position is: In addition to the English Language Proficiency, you must also be proficient in basic written and spoken Spanish in order to perform the duties of this position.

• About the company

  The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is a Cabinet-level executive branch department of the federal government charged with integrating life-long healthcare services to eligible military veterans at the 1700 VA medical centers and outpatient clinics located throughout the country.

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