Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration Looking for Chief of Blind Rehabilitation Center at Hines, Illinois Full Time

Summary The Blind Rehabilitation Specialist Program Consultant researches, plans and operationalizes complex projects and/or studies to assure excellence in care for visually impaired Veterans and Service members, to assure a workforce of qualified professionals, to suggest system-wide policies and to resolve sensitive issues in his or her region. The position of Program Consultant requires mastery of the broad functional areas of blind and vision rehabilitation theory. Responsibilities The position of Chief requires mastery of the broad functional areas of blind and vision rehabilitation theory, practice and specialized knowledge in specific areas, including research methodology and defining research-based evidence bases for practice. The Blind Rehabilitation Chief has supervisory authority over the assigned FTEE. This individual has extensive knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of blind and vision rehabilitation practice necessary to plan and direct the range of activities relating to the overall operation of an inpatient or outpatient program in a VA Medical Center. The incumbent provides supervision of key clinical and training programs, including the overall technical oversight of the Blind Rehabilitation Specialists whom they administratively supervise. The incumbent ensures that rehabilitation care and support services are tailored to meet the individualized needs of the Veteran. This includes ensuring that program assessments and delivery of services are responsive to the concerns of individual Veterans to the extent possible. Incumbent balances program elements to meet Veterans’ needs for inpatient, outpatient, VA Video Connect (telehealth) and /or home care services. Responsibilities include directing and administering all aspects of blind and vision rehabilitation at a medical center. Responsible for acquisition, training, and deployment of emerging technology. Demonstrates knowledge of current assistive/access technology (e.g., electronic and non electronic emerging and currently available technology). Promotes and coordinates telehealth services through a partnership within all service areas in BRS. Assigns work to employees, monitors workload and clinical volume, staffing, imposes disciplinary measures and monitors clinical privileges. Administers human capital, interviews and select qualified applicants, monitors and evaluates performance, and maintains effective labor management relations within scope of responsibility. Effectively supervise, direct, and manage a diverse staff and in interpersonal relationships and conflict resolution. Serves management’s goal of optimum productivity and adjusts services to meet changing needs of the Veterans and Servicemembers served in various programs. He/she monitors and facilitates employee development and competency. Assists in the development of guidelines, policies, procedures and their implementation within the Blind Rehabilitation Service in VA central office. The incumbent develops a network relationship with the state and private Veterans’ organizations to broaden the scope of outreach and increase the community awareness of the role HINES VA BRS plays in being a resource to that community. Incumbent must maintain good public relations with a relatively large number of local, state and non-profit organizations in addition to the Blinded Veterans Association and other Veterans organizations and special groups. Incumbent must be capable of coordinating clinical, as well as administrative services. Work Schedule: MON-FRI 7:30- 4:00pm Telework: N/A Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): N/A Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements 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. 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. 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). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. Qualifications 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: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education: You must have 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; 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) OR One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15-18 semester hours).ORA 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. OR 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. Language Proficiency: You must be proficient in the English Language. Certification: You 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, related professional credential in special education, rehabilitation or health care. You must meet the certification requirements for the Blind Rehabilitation Specialist at the GS-13 level. BRS (GS-13) must have one certification from ACVREP or a related, equivalent, professional certification. (Certificate must be submitted). You must meet the certification requirements for a VIST Coordinators. BRS who are VIST Coordinators may be drawn from traditional blind/vision rehabilitation backgrounds, and also from counseling backgrounds such as social work, vocational rehabilitation counseling, etc. VIST Coordinators may be credentialed/certified through; Certification via the ACVREP, or Licensure via the Social Worker Licensure Board, or Certification via the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRC), or Equivalent, related, relevant professional credential in counseling or rehabilitation. Specialized Experience GS-13: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of 1 year of experience as a BRS equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-12 level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the KSAs required for the specific assignment and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs. Specialized experience for this position include: Ability to independently develop, plan, and administer complex treatment programs; Ability to act as a subject matter expert in the blind/vision rehabilitation field and as consultant, supervisor and/or mentor in evaluating and treating patients in specialty or program areas; Ability to coordinate, motivate, and effectively manage staff and/or committee members to include organizing work, setting priorities, and delegating tasks and responsibilities; Ability to disseminate appropriate information through various media as a consultant or mentor; Skill in interpersonal relationships in dealing with patients, employees, other team leaders, managers and other stakeholders; Ability to identify team group dynamics, objectively observe, and modify behaviors; 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. Specialized Experience GS-14: In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of 1 year of experience as a BRS equivalent to the next lower grade level. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-14 level, the candidate must fully demonstrate the KSAs required for the specific assignment and demonstrate the potential to acquire the assignment-specific KSAs. In addition, incumbent must demonstrate all the following knowledge, skills and abilities: (a) Skill to supervise, motivate, and manage effectively a diverse clinical staff applicable to a large blind rehabilitation center or equivalent program. (b) Ability to assess qualifications and abilities of current and prospective employees. (c) Ability to establish and monitor productivity standards and production and performance priorities and to apply administration and human resource policies effectively click apply for full job details

Date Posted: 30 August 2022

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