Job Openings

Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (LVT)

12/19/2022

Duties

The LVT provides direct patient care and support services to an adult population of patients of visually impaired veterans. The employee must tailor patient care and support services to meet the needs of the individual patient. The LVT is responsible for assessing of each patient's needs, developing an individualized treatment plan and providing the full range of rehabilitation training within the scope of a certified low vision therapist. This work involves evaluating and assessing needs, capabilities and limitations, goal setting and prescribing a treatment plan for individuals experiencing blindness/visual impairment caused by injury or disease. The LVT works as part of the VISP team coordinating care for blind and visually impaired veterans. The LVT may serve as team coordinator for one or more assigned veterans during the veteran's program. As a team coordinator, the specialist is responsible for developing and coordinating the veteran's Interdisciplinary Plan of Care with input from the Veteran and all team members. The essential elements are the independent evaluation, treatment, and management of visually impaired veterans teaching the utilization of adaptive skills and techniques necessary to cope with the demands of everyday life. These needs constitute significant physical, emotional, and social disabilities.

The Low Vision Therapist completes a functional low vision evaluation that identifies visual impairments related to:

• Performance of developmentally appropriate activities of daily living including dressing appropriately, personal health care and grooming, safe movement, care of orthotic, prosthetic, and other health care devices.
• Performance of instrumental activities of daily living including care of self and family, effective literacy and communication, health management, home management, meal preparation, safety awareness training, and shopping.
• Performance of educational pursuits including life-long learning.
• Performance of vocational pursuits including job, retirement, and volunteerism.
• Performance of leisure and social activities.
• Access and participation in community programs/events.
• Coping ability of the person with low vision.
• Impact of the vision disability on significant others.

The Low Vision Therapist uses functional vision evaluation instruments to assess visual acuity, visual fields, contrast sensitivity function, color vision, stereopsis, visual perceptual and visual motor functioning, literacy skills in reading and writing, etc. as they relate to vision impairment and disability. The CLVT also evaluates work history, educational performance, ADL and IADL performance, use of technology, quality of life and aspects of psychosocial and cognitive function. The Low Vision Therapist works closely with the eye care specialist (ophthalmologist and/or optometrist) to evaluate the use of optical and/or electronic devices for enhancing the use of vision for daily tasks that are goals for rehabilitation. The Low Vision Therapist assists in the evaluation of appropriate devices and recommends devices that are reviewed and prescribed by the eye care specialist.

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.
• English Language Proficiency: Blind Rehab Specialists must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G41.
• Certification: 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.
  • Blind Rehab Specialists who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows: Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®). NOTE: GS-09 applicants do not need to meet the certification requirement, but employment will be temporary pending certification.
  • Education: You 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.
• Preferred Experience: At least 1 year providing low vision therapy full time. ACVREP certification as C.L.V.T. preferred.

E_mail: Takhia.crawford@va.gov

Phone: 909-372-5409

Cert: CLVT

Please view this posting online for more detailed information and/or to apply: USAJOBS - Job Announcement