Summary
The primary purpose of the position is : to manage and provide direct, blind-vision rehabilitation training services to visually impaired Veterans and service members. The Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS) identifies, assesses, trains, manages, and provides follow-up for Veterans using clinical resources of the North Texas Health Care System.
Duties
This is an OPEN CONTINUOUS ANNOUNCEMENT and will remain open until March 09, 2027 .The initial cut-off date for referral of eligible applications will be March 18, 2026, with subsequent cut-off dates every two weeks until 03/09/2027. Eligible applications received after that date will be referred at regular intervals or as additional vacancies occur on an as-needed basis until positions are filled. Applicants who are referred will be considered for 90 days, after 90 days applicants will have to reapply. Duties include but are not limited to: The Blind Rehabilitation Outpatient Specialist (BROS) provides direct patient care and support services to an adult population of patients which is characterized by a very significant number of older patients as well as young OEF/OIF/OND Veterans who may have wound and trauma related vision loss. Within these broad categorizations, the employee must tailor patient care and support services to meet the needs of the individual patient. This includes the responsibility for assessment of each patient's needs and assuring the delivery of services that are responsive to the concerns of individual patients to the fullest extent possible. The BROS, in conjuction with Blind Rehabilitation Center, the Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST), and other facility resources, is responsible for identifying beneficiaries who have the potential to benefit from blind and vision rehabilitation training. The BROS consults with the VIST, VA eye clinics, the Blind Rehabilitation Center, the Low Vision Clinic, and community resources to locate Veterans and to offer direct blind and vision rehabilitation services in the five skill areas in the Veteran's home or elsewhere in the community as needed. The BROS is responsible for blind and vision rehabilitation assessment, planning, training, and outcomes evaluation on each Veteran for whom service is provided. The BROS uses objective and subjective assessment tools and methods that require broad, advanced knowledge across the five skill areas. The BROS consults local, regional, and national resources for information. The BROS selects, interprets, and adapts traditional strategies in order to meet Veteran needs. The BROS develops an individualized rehabilitation treatment plan for each Veteran with rehabilitation potential. Each plan includes Veteran and/or family goals, along with achievable, measurable outcomes. For Veterans admitted to a Blind Rehabilitation Center, the plan will be communicated to the center to aid in planning inpatient rehabilitation training. The BROS prioritizes rehabilitation training activities to maximize the number of Veterans served, consistent with quality care and safety. Rehabilitation training to meet immediate safety needs will be the highest priority. Veterans scheduled for admission to an inpatient Blind Rehabilitation Center will have a home assessment by the BROS whenever possible to help guide program planning at the Blind Rehabilitation Center. The BROS will plan with the Blind Rehabilitation Center treatment team for local Veterans who, on discharge from the Blind Rehabilitation Center, are expected to have post-discharge needs. Veterans with blind rehabilitation needs who are unable to attend a Blind Rehabilitation Center program will receive appropriate services from the BROS. When possible, the BROS utilizes outpatient facilities to more efficiently serve the needs of Veterans. To maximize each Veteran's rehabilitation potential, the BROS uses a wide variety of complex training aids and devices. The BROS uses complex assessment tools and trains Veterans in the use of sophisticated prosthetics and sensory aids to meet their needs, such as computer access programs for the blind and visually impaired. The BROS works closely with local VIST, the VIST Coordinator, the Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service, and the Blind Rehabilitation Center to identify, recommend, and obtain the necessary equipment for Veterans and to provide the necessary training. The BROS functions as an independent provider of blind and vision rehabilitation services and is responsible for ensuring that documentation of assessments, rehabilitation training progress, and recommendations, as well as documentation of consults and referrals, is properly entered in the Veteran's electronic medical record. Other duties as assigned Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Available (Ad-hoc) Needs of the Service Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
Requirements
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 (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. 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 "Required Documents" section of this announcement. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
Education
IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. 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: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. 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: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. NOTE: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application. NOTE: If your school was nationally or regionally accredited at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the accreditation website, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.
How you will be evaluated
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.