Blind Rehabilitation Specialist

Summary

The Department of Veterans Affairs is seeking a Blind Rehabilitation Specialist for the GS-09/GS-11 grade levels at the Thomas H. Corey West Palm Beach VA Medical Center. Please note that this is an open continuous job announcement. Applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis as vacancies become available.

Duties

• Major Duties and Responsibilities Enable Veterans to understand visual diagnoses, navigate sight loss, and assess mental health status, including screening for depression and suicide risk. Evaluate visual-motor and visual-perceptual capabilities, physical health, cognitive functions, and social/cultural elements to accurately identify rehabilitation needs and goals. Partner with Veterans and interdisciplinary team members to establish, track, and modify individualized rehabilitation treatment plans using SMART goals. Train patients in adaptive techniques, assistive technology, optical devices, and visual-perceptual enhancement to maximize independence in everyday life. Serve as a team coordinator, establish peer support networks, collaborate with external agencies and the VIST Coordinator, and coordinate care across multidisciplinary platforms. Maintain accurate, concise clinical documentation, progress notes, discharge summaries, and administrative prosthetic consults in compliance with VHA and regulatory standards. Educate family members and significant others on coping mechanisms, and act as a subject matter expert and mentor to healthcare professionals and clinical trainees. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 40696F & 40316F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized

Requirements

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 examination. 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.

Education

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/.