Blind Rehabilitation Specialist

Summary The purpose of this position is to provide blind and vision rehabilitation services for visually impaired Veterans and service members. Blind Rehabilitation includes the disciplines of low vision therapy, orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy, manual skills instruction and assisted technology instruction. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist possesses professional knowledge of and skill in applying concepts, principles, and practices of blind and vision rehabilitation. Responsibilities Major Duties as Assigned, but not limited to: Provides direct patient care and support services to a population of Veterans which is characterized by a very significant number of older males but includes both females and males of all adult ages. This includes the responsibility for assessment of each Veteran's needs and the delivery of services which are responsive to the concerns of individual Veterans to the fullest extent possible. 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. Works as part of a team coordinating care for blind and visually impaired Veterans. 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 Team Plan (IDTP) with input from the Veteran and all team members. The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist maintains close communication with all other members of the interdisciplinary Blind Rehabilitation Center staff, including optometry, psychology, social work, recreation and nursing, to ensure the needs and goals. of the Veteran are being met. The essential elements are independent evaluation, treatment, and management in a blind and vision rehabilitation program of instruction that teaches Veterans with visual impairment to utilize adaptive skills and techniques necessary to cope with the demands of everyday life. These needs constitute significant physical, emotional, and social disabilities. Studies visual and non-visual barriers and related processes that result in activity limitations, participation restrictions, loss of vocational and avocational opportunities, and psychological distress. In providing direct services, they use diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and instrumentation to identify and resolve or minimize these problems. Develops a treatment plan in conjunction with an interdisciplinary team to improve the quality of life for blind and visually impaired Veterans through the development of skills and capabilities needed for personal independence, emotional stability and the successful integration into community, family and environment. Responsible for using and maintaining discipline-specific technology necessary to assist in the Veteran's rehabilitation needs and processes such as electronic travel aids, computer assisted technology, speech output and input devices, large print devices and Braille devices. Determines the need for these devices based on assessments and on the type, nature and severity of the problem, and instructs the Veteran in the proper use of the device along with its abilities and limitations. Optical devices, prescribed by an eye care specialist, are incorporated into the Blind Rehabilitation Specialist's treatment plan. Also works with the Veteran's family members-and/or significant others to educate and counsel about the ramifications of visual impairment. Family members are taught how to recognize and change behaviors and behavior patterns that impede blind and vision rehabilitation progress, how to cope with associated psychological and social problems, as well to manage their own stress related to the. Veteran's visually impaired status. Maintains awareness of new technological developments in the field through research and education. Serves as a subject matter expert for other medical and allied health staff by providing counseling to healthcare providers and professionals on the nature of visual impairment and blind and vision rehabilitation. Serves as a mentor for clinical trainees within the specific disciplines. Enters into the electronic medical record evaluations and progress of visually impaired Veterans and recommendations for treatment that are accurate and complete and coordinates with other medical center personnel to assure that scheduling of appointments is accurate. Expected to obtain and maintain certification in the appropriate discipline of blind/vision rehabilitation. Devoted to meeting the needs of the Veteran who is blind or visually impaired. In order to do so at the highest level, maintains professional certification in one of the disciplines of low vision therapy, orientation and mobility, vision rehabilitation therapy and assisted technology. Performs other related duties as assigned including being crossed trained into other blind rehabilitation disciplines, providing transportation, and working outside of normal duty hours with permission of supervisor. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 00000/Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Requirements 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. 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 (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). Complete all application requirements detailed in the

Created: 2026-02-09