Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (Visual Impairment Service Team Coordinator)

This position is located in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), VA Augusta Health Care System (VAAHCS) in Augusta, Georgia located in the Augusta Blind Rehabilitation Center (ABRC). VIST Coordinators follow a model of lifetime care coordination offered to all Veterans with visual impairment who are eligible to receive services. The model requires varying degrees of intervention based on the clinical and psychosocial needs of each Veteran.

The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinator) serves as a key member of the Blind Rehabilitation Service, providing case management, rehabilitation planning, counseling, and care coordination services to Veterans who are blind or visually impaired. The incumbent works collaboratively with Veterans, families, healthcare providers, and community partners to ensure access to rehabilitation services, benefits, adaptive technology, and resources that promote independence and quality of life. At the GS-12 level, the incumbent serves in the full performance role with responsibility for program management, outreach, interdisciplinary team leadership, and complex case coordination.

Major duties include but are limited to:

• Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify the rehabilitation, psychosocial, adjustment, and independent living needs of Veterans who are blind or visually impaired.
• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized blind and vision rehabilitation plans with measurable goals and outcomes.
• Provide case management, rehabilitation counseling, and adjustment-to-blindness services to Veterans and their families.
• Coordinate rehabilitation services with interdisciplinary healthcare teams, rehabilitation providers, community agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Facilitate referrals to VA and non-VA rehabilitation, low vision, vocational, educational, and community programs and resources.
• Educate Veterans and caregivers regarding rehabilitation services, adaptive equipment, compensation and benefits, and available support programs.
• Maintain accurate clinical records, case documentation, rehabilitation plans, and program reports.
• Participate in outreach activities to identify Veterans with visual impairments and increase awareness of available rehabilitation services.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals and community partners to improve access to services and support Veteran rehabilitation goals

Additional Duties at the GS-12 Full Performance Level

• Independently manage and evaluate the Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) program.
• Lead interdisciplinary teams in the development and coordination of rehabilitation services for Veterans with visual impairment.
• Apply program management and decision-making principles to address operational needs, allocate resources, and improve service delivery.
• Develop and implement short- and long-range program goals, outreach initiatives, support groups, educational activities, and community presentations.
• Conduct complex coordination and negotiation activities with VA and non-VA healthcare systems, benefits programs, rehabilitation providers, and community organizations.
• Serve as a subject matter expert and consultant regarding blind rehabilitation services, visual impairment programs, and rehabilitation resources.

Work Schedule: 7:30a.m.- 4:00p.m.
Telework: Not Available
Functional Statement #: 63182F/63183F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized
Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized

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:

Citizenships. United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Education. Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Doctoral Degree; or Doctoral Degree in Blind Rehabilitation or a directly 8 related field.

Certification. VIST Coordinator candidates must meet the certification requirements in paragraph 4c(4) above. BRSs who are 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 may be credentialed/certified through any of the following: (a) Certification via the ACVREP; (4) Licensure via the Social Worker Licensure Board; (c) Certification via the CRCC; (5) OR, (d) Equivalent and relevant professional credential in counseling or rehabilitation. [Examples of other health care occupations may include but are not limited to Marriage and Family Therapists or Licensed Mental Health Counselors.

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:

To qualify at the GS-11 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level, OR three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a doctoral degree, OR a doctoral degree in Blind Rehabilitation or a directly related field.

Applicants must also possess a current qualifying credential, such as:

• Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) certification;
• Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification;
• State Social Work licensure; or
• An equivalent professional counseling or rehabilitation credential.

In addition, applicants must demonstrate the ability to:

• Communicate effectively with Veterans, family members, healthcare professionals, and community partners.
• Assess Veterans with visual impairments and multiple disabilities to determine rehabilitation needs.
• Develop individualized rehabilitation plans with measurable goals and outcomes.
• Apply counseling, rehabilitation, and psychological principles to support adjustment to vision loss.
• Coordinate rehabilitation services and training opportunities through VA and community resources.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with Veterans, interdisciplinary teams, and stakeholders.
• Utilize knowledge of VA blind and low vision rehabilitation programs to support Veteran rehabilitation goals.

• At this level, the VIST Coordinator serves in a developmental capacity, providing case management, rehabilitation coordination, benefits guidance, and adjustment counseling services to Veterans who are blind or visually impaired and their families.

  GS-12 Level

  To qualify at the GS-12 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level and maintain a qualifying VIST Coordinator credential.

  In addition to the competencies required at the GS-11 level, applicants must demonstrate the ability to:

• Independently assess complex rehabilitation needs and recommend appropriate interventions.
• Develop and manage comprehensive rehabilitation plans that incorporate multidisciplinary findings and measurable outcomes.
• Coordinate access to VA and non-VA rehabilitation programs, benefits, and support services.
• Apply decision-making principles to manage program operations, allocate resources, and address changing service needs.
• Develop short- and long-range program goals and implement strategies to improve service delivery.
• Lead interdisciplinary collaboration and build partnerships with community organizations and service providers.
• Communicate effectively with audiences ranging from Veterans and caregivers to executive leadership and community stakeholders.

• At the full performance level, the VIST Coordinator serves as the primary coordinator for visual impairment services, providing expert consultation, overseeing outreach initiatives, managing support and education programs, leading interdisciplinary service teams, and coordinating complex rehabilitation services and benefits for Veterans who are blind or visually impaired.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-11 to GS-12.

Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring exertion such as standing or walking for up to two hours; frequent bending; reaching above the shoulder; light lifting and carrying (less than 40 pounds), pushing or pulling objects.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA.
• 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. Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents). Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Must pass pre-employment physical evaluation.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.

As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider:

• your performance and conduct;
• the needs and interests of the agency;
• whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and
• whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.

Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.