Job Listing: Blind Rehabilitation Specialist

Duty Locations

 1 vacancy - Columbia, MO

This is an Excepted Appointment.   Excepted service positions have been exempt from the requirements of the competitive service by law, Executive Order, or OPM Regulation (5 U.S.C. 2103 and 5 CFR part 213).  Public Law No. 108-170 converts this occupational series from the competitive civil service to the Hybrid Title 38 employment system.

PLEASE REVIEW THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CAREFULLY and provide documentation that you meet all the qualifications required.  For example:  applicable transcripts, copy of applicable license/certification/registration, etc.  Applicants who do not submit the required documentation will be deemed ineligible.  Applicants will not be contacted for additional information if their applications are incomplete or inadequate.

Appointment is contingent upon applicant meeting qualifications and the determination of the Professional Standards Board.

Panel interviews may be conducted.  If applicants are interviewed for the position, performance based interview questions will be used.  For additional information regarding performance-based interview, please review the following website on the internet: http://www.va.gov/pbi.

This announcement may be used to fill identical positions vacated within 90 days of any selections made from the original announcement

Amended to change Grade Level to GS-12 and correct salary.  Closing date extended to 6/17/2008.

Major Duties

Incumbent has full responsibility for visually impaired veterans and their families.  Has full professional responsibility for visually impaired and blinded veterans' cases that are difficult and complex both in terms of severity of the visual impairment and the presence of complicating physical and emotional factors, which impinge on the treatment process.  Using professional and administrative skills, he/she makes the VIS Team and other support staff aware of complex medical, rehabilitation, social, psychological,  vocational and other economic factors which must be considered in developing a comprehensive and sensitive rehabilitation plan.  Develops screening and procedural mechanisms, which will identify this target population within the medical center's catchments area and maintains appropriate linkages with the medical center and the community in support of program goals and objectives.   As a key member of the VIS Team, the incumbent serves not only as a resource person in matters related to visual impairment but also assists in the development of a focused treatment plan.  Provides and/or arranges for the provision of appropriate treatment modalities for the purpose of enhancing the veteran's functioning, resolving problems and meeting specific objectives established by the VIS Team. The coordinator operates as an experienced professional, with full responsibility for the technical accuracy of patient evaluations and the soundness of recommendations.  After identifying the visually impaired and blinded veteran population, provides professional assessment of health care and related needs and arranges for the full range of authorized health care services.  Effective working relationships with other specialists such as physicians, psychologists, educators, rehabilitation therapists, social workers, dietitians and other health care professionals are vital in maintaining a coordinated treatment program for those with multiple handicaps in addition to blindness.  Provides assistance to the medical and allied health staff with the acquisition and replacement of low vision and sensory aids required in effecting the blinded veteran's rehabilitation and/or daily living needs.  Also serves as technical advisor to members of committees; makes home visits to visually impaired, severely disabled veterans who are unable to travel to the facility and counsels them and their families about benefits to which they may be entitled; assesses medical accessory needs for home care and recommends equipment feasible for use in the home environment.  When the incumbent is unable to make a home visit, he/she should coordinate the existing needs with visiting social workers.  Develops and maintains effective working relationships with key medical center staff and community agencies to enhance the scope and functioning of the VIS program and to develop needed community support to ensure that program goals are achieved.  This requires that the incumbent have a full knowledge of resources, both within the VA and the community, to meet identified needs of visually impaired veterans and their families.  Coordinates and follows up on services provided by state, and local or private agencies for the blind.

How to Apply

You must submit your application so that it will be received by the closing date of the announcement.

The Federal Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

APPLICANT CHECKLIST - Title 38 Hybrid Positions (HA 2008-181C AMENDED)

NAME:_______________________ SSN:______________

Please use the checklist below when compiling your application package and submit with application material.

_____ REQUIRED: VA Form 10-2850c, Application for Associated Health Occupations (http://www.va.gov/vaforms) . Applications must show the title of the position and the Announcement Number.

_____ REQUIRED: All applicants must submit an OF-306, Declaration for Federal Employment Form. Applicants who fail to submit this form may be rated ineligible. This form will not be accepted from any records or files this office may be in possession of. This form may be downloaded from the OPM website at
www.opm.gov/forms.

_____ If a particular level of education/certification is required OR if you are asking us to qualify you based upon your education, you must submit a copy of your college transcript. Credit for college education will be given if it was obtained through an accredited university. APPLICANTS PLEASE NOTE:  Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications (particularly positions with a positive education requirement.)  Therefore, applicants must report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  Applicants can verify accreditation at the following website: http://www.ed.gov/admins/finaid/accred/index.html All education claimed by applicants will be verified by the appointing agency accordingly.

_____ Veterans must provide legible copies of DD-214s showing all dates of service as well as character of service (Honorable, General, etc.), Note: More than one DD-214 may be needed to show all dates of service. Copies of your DD-214 may be requested by calling 800-827-1000 or TDD# 800-829-4833. DD-214’s must be a complete Member 4 copy or other copy, which includes the type of discharge. If you are on terminal leave from active duty, attach a letter from your commander indicating the date of discharge and type of discharge. The DD Form 214 must be submitted after the discharge date.

____ Disabled veterans and other veterans eligible for 10-point preference must also submit an SF-15 'Application for 10 Point Veterans Preference' with required proof as stated on the form (i.e., a VA letter issued after 1990 documenting a permanent service-connected disability, or if the VA letter specifically states that the disability is temporary it must be documented within the past twelve months).

_____ All status candidates and reinstatement eligibles (current and former government employees) must provide a copy of the last or most recent SF-50, 'Notice of Personnel Action' which indicates proof of competitive status (reflecting career, career-conditional, or reinstatement eligibility).

_____ Candidates eligible for other non-competitive appointments (i.e., disability noted by vocational rehab counselor, Peace Corp and VISTA Volunteers, etc.) must present appropriate documentation reflecting their eligibility.

_____ All current Federal employees should provide a copy of their current Performance Appraisal (must be within 15 months from the closing date of the
announcement).

_____(Optional) Responses to KSA's (or Job Elements) listed in the nnouncement. Each KSA/job element may be listed with your response below on bond or tablet paper.

_____ A statement certifying type proficiency (if required for this position, as listed in the announcement). Please note – this statement may be self-certification or from a school or testing site.

_____ If you are a federal employee seeking CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, you must
submit proof you meet the requirements of 5 CFR 330.605(a) for CTAP and 5 CFR 330-704 for ICTAP. In addition to your application/resume, this includes a copy of the agency notice, a copy of your most recent performance rating and a copy of your most recent SF-50 noting current position, grade level, and duty location. You must clearly annotate your application package to reflect that you are applying as a CTAP or ICTAP eligible.

If you are a current or former federal employee with reinstatement eligibility, you must submit a copy of your last Notification of Personnel Action (SF50) and a copy of your most recent Performance Appraisal.

Application mailed using government postage or through an internal federal government mail system will not be considered.


Contact Information:
Gail Capps

Phone: 573-814-6404


Or write:
Department of Veteran Affairs
Human Resources Liaison Office
800 Hospital Drive
Columbia, MO 65201


What To Expect Next:

Once your complete application is received we will conduct an evaluation of your qualifications and determine your ranking. The most highly qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. We expect to make a selection within 60 days of the closing date of this announcement. You will be notified of the outcome.