Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (Admission Coordinator)

The Admission Coordinator provides services to Veterans and Service members who are visually impaired. Management of applications and the GCBRC waiting list, planning for and scheduling Veterans within the program, maintaining a screening process to approve applications, coordinating Veteran admissions and discharges, developing bed control strategies for a consistent bed capacity flow of referrals, conducting outreach and educational activities to identify eligible Veterans and developing.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: Be a citizen of the United States . Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.
• 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. See Chapter 2, section D, paragraph 5a, this part.
• b. Education: The individual must have earned:(a) 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 ,

(b) A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university (without a major field of study as outlined in (1)(a) above) that included, or was supplemented by, at least one of the following:

1. i. 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).
2. ii . One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15 - 18 semester hours).
3. iii . 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.
4. iv . 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.

c. Certification: Required at the GS-11 grade level and above.
(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 sub- paragraph (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).

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 :
BRS, GS-12 (Admission Coordinator)

(1) Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of experience as a BRS equivalent at the GS-11 grade level.
(2) Certification: Candidates must meet the credentialing/certification requirements in paragraph 3c(1) above.

(3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to the education and experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:

• (a) Ability to plan, coordinate, and manage applications, admissions and discharges, and ensure provision of the appropriate clinical care for Veterans in an inpatient BRC.
• (b) Ability to ensure that cooperative partnerships exist among Veterans, Service members and their families, VHA rehabilitation providers, community providers, and other stakeholders, to support a comprehensive blind rehabilitation program structure.
• (c) Ability to develop, maintain, analyze, and present statistical and programmatic data and information related to BRC operations.
• (d) Knowledge of budgetary and financial management processes, including VERA reimbursement, catastrophic disability, and beneficiary travel policies.
• (e) Ability to perform the full range of supervisory duties, when authorized, which would include responsibility for assignment of work to be performed, competency assessments, performance evaluations, hiring decisions, and recommendations for awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit .

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

Physical Requirements : Moderate lifting, 45 pounds or more; light lifting, under 15 pounds, moderate carrying, 15-44 pounds; use of fingers; both hands required; walking, 2 hours; standing, 5 hours; kneeling, .5 hours; repeated bending, .5 hours; both legs required; ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; emotional and mental stability; pass physical to drive Veteran, if a driver. 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: . 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: .