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 The individual must have earned: 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, 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 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
They may then use the designation for the certification they hold (as listed in subparagraph(2)) below: 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)
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, 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.] English Language Proficiency
Candidates will not be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. chapters 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who are not proficient in written and spoken English
Grade Determinations: GS 11 In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level
Examples of this experience are: Responsible for intake, assessment, planning for rehabilitation, intervention, and follow-up in the content specialties
In addition to meeting the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) described at the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following GS 11 grade level KSAs: 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.] Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions
Ability to write a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes
Knowledge of VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs
Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers and other stakeholders
Knowledge of psychological, rehabilitation, and counseling theories and principles
Ability to coordinate with various resources to identify suitable training programs
OR, Education
Three years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Doctoral Degree
or Doctoral Degree in Blind Rehabilitation or a directly related field.
