Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (Assistant Chief)

About the role

The Blind Rehabilitation Assistant Chief has responsibility for administering many aspects of a large VA inpatient blind rehabilitation program of more than 20 beds. The position of Assistant Chief requires mastery of the broad functional areas of blind and vision theory, practice and specialized knowledge in specific areas including research methodology.

The Blind Rehabilitation Assistant Chief has supervisory authority over the assigned FTEE.

What you will do

• Provide supervisions of key clinical and training programs, including the overall technical oversight of the Blind Rehabilitation Specialists whom they administratively supervise.
• Responsible for the development and implementation of policies and procedures to address focused clinical needs and the overall services delivered and provided within the section.
• Performs responsibilities that include, but are not limited to, assigning work to employees, monitoring workload and clinical volume, staffing, imposing disciplinary measures and monitoring clinical privileges.
• Demonstrates knowledge of contemporary blind and vision rehabilitation across multiple areas of practice, and the demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge to provide clinical guidance to staff Blind Rehabilitation Specialists within the department.
• Applies knowledge of human resources administration, including such functions as the ability to interview and select qualified applicants, monitor and evaluate performance, and maintain effective labor management relations within scope of responsibility.
• Demonstrates the ability and skills to effectively supervise, direct, and manage a diverse staff including conflict resolution.
• Proven capability to analyze clinically appropriate data to optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the section.
• Exhibited expertise to set priorities, delegate tasks, and solve problems in order to meet multiple deadlines and identify/address organizational problems.
• Provides supervision of key clinical and training programs and assigned staff, including the overall technical oversight of the students whom they administratively supervise.
• Furnishes overall clinical supervision that assures the proper coordination and delivery of care within the blind rehabilitation section and the facility at large.
• Supervises employees work assignments, workload productivity, and problems must be well managed by the supervisor.
• Understands and adheres to federal regulations regarding staffing practices.
• Comprehends recruitment options and collaborates with GS-14 Service Chief and HR throughout the staffing process (recruiting, hiring, staffing).
• Takes an active role in prevention of harassment behavior, adheres to Whistleblower Protection policies, and takes action to report instances of fraud, waste, and abuse.
• Resolves employee issues/complaints at the lowest level and refers unresolved grievances and complaints to appropriate sources.
• Promotes and ensures a safe work environment; enforces policies and procedures (operational, privacy, IT security, Patient Safety, etc.).
• Ensures utilization of material and labor resources to optimize productivity and adjusts services to meet changing needs of all persons served.
• May have delegated responsibilities on service-line, medical center-wide, division-wide or program-wide committees, special projects, and task forces.
• Assists in the development of guidelines, policies, procedures and their implementation within the Blind Rehabilitation Service in VA central office.
• Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 07:30:am - 4:00 pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
• Position Title/Functional Statement #:Supervisory Blind Rehabilitation Specialist (Assistant Chief)/PD000000 Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

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: *** 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: ***

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.

Documents you must provide

• Certification from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP), or another equivalent.
• ACVREP in ONE of the following: Orientation and Mobility (COMS) OR Vision Rehab (CVRT) OR Certified Low Vision (CLVT) OR Vision Rehabilitation (CVRT) Special Note for Applications: To complete your application, please use the following link *** to download the standard Clinical Resume Document.
• This one-page document does not need to be modified and must be uploaded into the two-page restricted 'Resume' document upload field.Your full resume/CV may be uploaded without page limitation into the 'Other' document upload field.
• The following documents are accepted, and may be required if applicable to your eligibility and/or qualifications for this position.
• Please ensure you have included all documents required for your application, such as a copy of your transcript (if using education to qualify), SF-50's (current/former Federal employees), etc. DD-214/ Statement of Service Disability Letter (VA) License Long-form resume/Curriculum vitae (CV) Certification from the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP), or another equivalent.
• ACVREP in ONE of the following: Orientation and Mobility (COMS) OR Vision Rehab (CVRT) OR Certified Low Vision (CLVT) OR Vision Rehabilitation (CVRT) PCS Orders Professional Certification SF-15 SF-50/ Notification of Personnel Action Transcript

What to expect next

Once your online application is submitted you will receive a confirmation notification by email. After we receive application packages (including all required documents) and the vacancy announcement closes, we will review applications to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met.

After the review is complete, a referral certificate(s) is issued and applicants will be notified of their status by email. Referred applicants will be notified as such and may be contacted directly by the hiring office for an interview.

All referred applicants receive a final notification once a selection decision has been made.You may check the status of your application at any time by logging into your USA Jobs account and clicking on Applications. Information regarding your application status can be found in the USAJobs Help Center.

NOTE: Participation in the seasonal influenza program is a condition of employment and a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). It is a requirement that all HCP to receive annual seasonal influenza vaccination or obtain an exemption for medical or religious reasons.

Wearing a face mask is required when an exemption to the influenza vaccination has been granted. HCP in violation of this directive may face disciplinary action up to and including removal from federal service. HCP are individuals who, during the influenza season, work in VHA locations or who come into contact with VA patients or other HCP as part of their duties.

VHA locations include, but are not limited to, VA hospitals and associated clinics, community living centers (CLCs), community-based outpatient clinics (CBOCs), domiciliary units, Vet centers and VA-leased medical facilities.

HCP include all VA licensed and unlicensed, clinical and administrative, remote and onsite, paid and without compensation, full- and part-time employees, intermittent employees, fee basis employees, VA contractors, researchers, volunteers and health professions trainees (HPTs) who are expected to perform any or all of their work at these facilities.

HPTs may be paid or unpaid and include residents, interns, fellows and students. HCP also includes VHA personnel providing home-based care to Veterans and drivers and other personnel whose duties put them in contact with patients outside VA medical facilities.

Additional information

Receiving Service Credit for Earning Annual (Vacation) Leave: Federal Employees earn annual leave at a rate (4, 6 or 8 hours per pay period) which is based on the number of years they have served as a Federal employee. Selected applicants may qualify for credit toward annual leave accrual, based on prior work experience or military service experience.

This credited service can be used in determining the rate at which they earn annual leave. Such credit must be requested and approved prior to the appointment date and is not guaranteed. During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions.

Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status.VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply.

The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement.

Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicant's criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.