Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to all U.S. citizens.

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Major duties include, but are not limited to:

• Duties involve Screening/Assessment, treatment Planning/Goal Setting, referrals, resource Usage/Development, Advocacy, Crisis Intervention, Education, Health promotion and disease prevention, care coordination, case management and supportive counseling. The incumbent is a member of an interdisciplinary team (IDT) and is responsible for completion of psychosocial assessments, psychosocial portion of the interdisciplinary care plan, and hospital/community referrals. The VIST coordinator is also responsible for active participation in IDT meetings and care planning. Incumbent is responsible for maintenance of the VIST roster including all legally blind and low vision Veterans enrolled in the SFVA Health Care System. Also responsible for conducting monthly VIST support groups for Veterans on various topics to enhance outreach, education, adjustment to sight loss, and peer-to-peer engagement.
• Providing care coordination services to eligible Veterans with visual impairment by assessing, coordinating, and reviewing the Veteran's rehabilitation and adjustment needs and determining and referring the type and intensity of services needed, based upon clinical judgment and the Veteran's goals.
• Incumbent prepares reports for facility, VISN, and national use. The incumbent ensures the VIST Program is compliant with VHA directives, and that care is rendered pursuant to the clinical practice guidelines. The VIST Coordinator monitors information systems to track service activities including visits, referrals, inpatient days, patient demographics, equipment utilization and patient satisfaction. The coordinator develops, implements, and evaluates clinical guidelines and protocols to establish appropriate utilization of services. The incumbent provides technical assistance to State, local and private agencies, and universities. In addition, the coordinator uses sound judgment in the interpretation of trends and patterns and the recommendation of program enhancements.
• VIST coordinator ensures compliance with associated accreditation agencies and professional organizations, including but not limited to the Joint Commission and commission on accreditation of rehab facilities (CARF).
• VIST Coordinator is responsible for developing a cache of educational materials, in a variety of media that can be utilized to help achieve VIST outreach goals and objectives. Also responsible for providing educational in-services for staff and stakeholders regarding functional implications of vision loss and blind rehabilitation services. The VIST coordinator establishes and maintains an ongoing education program for Veterans, students, and staff to facilitate understanding of medical treatment, including clinical practice guidelines, psychosocial problems, home care and long-term care specific to VIST Veterans.
• VIST Coordinators develop, implement, and oversee special programs for visually impaired Veterans such as provision of assistive technology and training.
• VIST Coordinator provides eligible Veterans with an initial benefits review, and subsequent annual benefits reviews thereafter. The VIST Coordinator must be knowledgeable with respect to VA and non-VA benefits that may serve to enhance the lives of qualified Veterans. VIST Coordinator is aware of Veterans Service Organizations that assist Veterans regarding the acquisition of benefits and may refer a Veteran to one or more of these agencies.
• The VIST Coordinator assists the Veteran and their family members with the issues surrounding the emotional adjustment aspects of blindness. VIST Coordinator may draw on their own professional expertise to personally assist the Veteran and the Veteran's family members in this process or the VIST Coordinator may make a referral to an appropriate clinician to assist.
• The VIST Coordinator may recommend issuance of equipment for blind and visually impaired Veterans in accordance with VHA policies and within the Coordinators Scope of Practice. The VIST coordinator provides education related to VA and community resources to stakeholders.
• Documents assessment results, treatment plans, veteran response to treatment and education given in accordance with the facility guidelines including The Joint Commission requirements and CARF. Initial evaluations will be documented in a timely manner in accordance with facility guidance. Maintains a level of productivity and quality consistent with the complexity of the assignment.
• Serves on committees, work groups, and task forces at the facility as deemed appropriate by supervisor.
• Position will require valid driver's license and operation of a government vehicle to carry out duties.

Work Schedule: 07:30 to 16:00; Monday through Friday
Telework: Ad-Hoc
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Conditions of employment

• You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• You may be required to serve a probationary period.
• 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 dentification 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).

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.
• 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.
• 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 that included, or was supplemented by, at least one of the following:

1. 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. One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15 - 18 semester hours).
3. 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. 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: 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
(b) 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
(c) Certification via the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, (CRC)
OR
(d) 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.

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). See VA Handbook 5005/109, PART II, APPENDIX G41 for details.

Grade Determinations: BRS GS-11 (VIST Coordinator-Developmental Level)
Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to the GS-9 grade level.
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.
AND
Certification: VIST Coordinators may be credentialed/certified through any of the following:
(a) Certification via the ACVREP
(b) Licensure via the Social Worker Licensure Board
(c) Certification via the CRCC
(d) Equivalent and relevant professional credential in counseling or rehabilitation (see certification requirements above)
AND
You must meet the Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSAs) described at the GS-9 grade level:
(a) Knowledge of policies and procedures of the blind/vision rehabilitation service.
(b) Knowledge of administration and interpretation of assessments and evaluations in blind/vision rehabilitation.
c) Ability to develop a basic written blind/vision rehabilitation plan from assessment results and develop more complex plans with consultation from supervisor.
(d) Skill in instructing Veterans and families in a meaningful rehabilitation program and applying blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic techniques.
(e) Ability to recommend appropriate blind/vision prosthetic devices for Veterans within the scope of practice
(f) Ability to serve as team coordinator for assigned Veterans during their rehabilitation programs.
AND
Must Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to meeting the KSAs described above at the GS-9 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
(a) 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.
(b) Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for blind/vision rehabilitation therapeutic interventions.
(c) Ability to write a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines with observable, measurable goals and that identifies specific outcomes.
(d) Knowledge of VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs.
(e) Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers and other stakeholders.
(f) Knowledge of psychological, rehabilitation, and counseling theories and principles.
(g) Ability to coordinate with various resources to identify suitable training programs.

BRS GS-12 (VIST Coordinator-Full Performance Level)
Experience: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of a minimum of one year of progressively complex experience equivalent to GS-11 grade level.
AND
Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-11 grade level (see KSAs above), the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs:
(a) Skill to effectively 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.
(b) Ability to assess Veterans having diverse and multiple disabilities to make recommendations for therapeutic interventions.
(c) Skill in writing a blind/vision rehabilitation plan that includes evaluation information from multiple disciplines and contains observable, measurable goals that identify specific outcomes.
(d) Knowledge of VA and non-VA blind and low vision rehabilitation treatment programs.
(e) Skill in interpersonal relationships dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers, and other stakeholders.
(f) Knowledge of psychological, rehabilitation, and counseling theories and principles.
(g) Ability to coordinate with various resources to identify and refer Veterans to suitable training programs.
(h) Ability to apply decision-making principles to adjust programs on a day-to-day basis, to develop short term and long-range goals, and to plan for future utilization of resources.

Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

IN DESCRIBING YOUR EXPERIENCE, PLEASE BE CLEAR AND SPECIFIC. WE MAY NOT MAKE ASSUMPTIONS REGARDING YOUR EXPERIENCE. Your application, resume, C.V., and/or supporting documentation will be verified. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect consideration for employment.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religions; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

The Department of Veterans Affairs performs pre-employment reference checks as an assessment method used in the hiring process to verify information provided by a candidate (e.g., on resume or during interview or hiring process); gain additional knowledge regarding a candidate's abilities; and assist a hiring manager with making a final selection for a position.

It is the policy of the VA to not deny employment to those that have faced financial hardships or periods of unemployment.

Veterans and Transitioning Service Members: Please visit the VA for Vets site for career-search tools for Veterans seeking employment at VA, career development services for our existing Veterans, and coaching and reintegration support for military service members.