Summary

The Blind Rehabilitation Assistant Chief has responsibility for administering many aspects of a large VA inpatient blind rehabilitation program of more than 20 beds. The position of Assistant Chief requires mastery of the broad functional areas of blind and vision theory, practice and specialized knowledge in specific areas including research methodology. The Blind Rehabilitation Assistant Chief has supervisory authority over the assigned FTEE.

Duties

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Duties include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide supervisions of key clinical and training programs, including the overall technical oversight of the Blind Rehabilitation Specialists whom they administratively supervise.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures to address focused clinical needs and the overall services delivered and provided within the section.
• Performs responsibilities that include, but are not limited to, assigning work to employees, monitoring workload and clinical volume, staffing, imposing disciplinary measures and monitoring clinical privileges.
• Demonstrates knowledge of contemporary blind and vision rehabilitation across multiple areas of practice, and the demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge to provide clinical guidance to staff Blind Rehabilitation Specialists within the department.
• Applies knowledge of human resources administration, including such functions as the ability to interview and select qualified applicants, monitor and evaluate performance, and maintain effective labor management relations within scope of responsibility.
• Demonstrates the ability and skills to effectively supervise, direct, and manage a diverse staff including conflict resolution.
• Proven capability to analyze clinically appropriate data to optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the section.
• Exhibited expertise to set priorities, delegate tasks, and solve problems in order to meet multiple deadlines and identify/address organizational problems.
• Provides supervision of key clinical and training programs and assigned staff, including the overall technical oversight of the students whom they administratively supervise.
• Furnishes overall clinical supervision that assures the proper coordination and delivery of care within the blind rehabilitation section and the facility at large.
• Supervises employees work assignments, workload productivity, and problems must be well managed by the supervisor.
• Understands and adheres to federal regulations regarding staffing practices.
• Comprehends recruitment options and collaborates with GS-14 Service Chief and HR throughout the staffing process (recruiting, hiring, staffing).
• Takes an active role in prevention of harassment behavior, adheres to Whistleblower Protection policies, and takes action to report instances of fraud, waste, and abuse.
• Resolves employee issues/complaints at the lowest level and refers unresolved grievances and complaints to appropriate sources.
• Promotes and ensures a safe work environment; enforces policies and procedures (operational, privacy, IT security, Patient Safety, etc.).
• Ensures utilization of material and labor resources to optimize productivity and adjusts services to meet changing needs of all persons served.
• May have delegated responsibilities on service-line, medical center-wide, division-wide or program-wide committees, special projects, and task forces.
• Assists in the development of guidelines, policies, procedures and their implementation within the Blind Rehabilitation Service in VA central office.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 07:30:am - 4:00 pm

Telework: Not Available

Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Position Title/Functional Statement #:Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (Assistant Chief)/PD000000

Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• 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
• You may be required to serve a trial period
• Subject to a background/security investigation
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process

Qualifications

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.

1. A. English language: Proficient in spoken and written English. Note: To be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., Chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in Veterans Health Administration (VHA), applicants must be proficient in written and spoken English.
2. B. Basic Education: A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in blind or vision rehabilitation, related program in rehabilitation, special education, family and consumer science education, technology and industrial arts education, or health care;(b) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (without a major field of study as outlined in (a) above) that included or was supplemented by at least one of the following:(b1) 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).(B2) One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15-18 semester hours)(b3) A certificate in the core curriculum in orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy or low vision therapy from an accredited college or university and a directly related practicum/internship in the occupation, either included in the degree or post-degree.]
3. C. Certification:

(1) 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:

(2) 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).
• (c) Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT).
• (d) Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS).

(3) BRS Advanced Practitioners at the GS-13 grade level must possess two certifications awarded by ACVREP.

Grade Determinations

Supervisory BRS, GS-13 (Assistant Chief)

• Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of experience as a BRS equivalent to the GS-12 grade level.
• Certification. Candidates must meet the credentialing/certification requirements in paragraph 3c(1) and (2) above. VIST Coordinators must meet the certification requirements in 3c(3) above.
• Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-12 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

a) Ability to balance responsibilities and work with great autonomy.

(b) Ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions.

(c) Ability to analyze and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the section, and to develop and administer systematic internal reviews to ensure conformance with local and national policies as well as accreditation standards.

(d) Ability to provide technical expertise, supervise, motivate, and effectively manage a diverse clinical staff.

(e) Skill in assessing qualifications and abilities of current and prospective employees.

(f) Ability to develop productivity standards applicable to a blind rehabilitation center or equivalent clinical program.

(g) Ability to adapt to new and changing work conditions, staffing, and contingencies.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience administering and interpreting assessments specific to blind/vision rehabilitation and use of assessment findings to develop a plan of care, including complex plans with consultation from the interdisciplinary team.
• Experience identifying and evaluating assistive devices appropriate for use with blind and/or visually impaired population.
• Experience supervising or serving in a formal lead role for Blind Rehabilitation Specialists or an interdisciplinary blind/vision rehabilitation team, including assigning work, monitoring productivity, conducting performance evaluations, coaching employees, and addressing performance or conduct concerns.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating care in a residential, inpatient, intensive outpatient, or similarly complex rehabilitation setting, including interdisciplinary treatment planning, patient flow, admissions, discharges, and continuity of care.

References: VA Handbook 5005/48; Part II Appendix G41 Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Qualification Standard

Physical Requirements: Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Functional Requirements: Moderate lifting (15- 44 lbs.); Moderate Carrying (15-44 lbs.); Reaching above shoulder; Use of fingers; Both hands required; Both Legs required; Specific hearing requirements; Ability to read typewritten material, glasses permitted; Hearing (aid permitted)

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience. This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed.

During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions.

This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies.