The Assistant Chief serves as full assistant to Blind Rehabilitation Service Chief and share a full scope of delegated managerial responsibilities. Incumbent has the responsibility for general and/or technical supervision of key clinical and training programs within the service, and overall technical and administrative oversight of BRSs. Incumbent makes independent professional decisions and recommendations to the Chief. 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: Citizenship: [Be a ]citizen of the United States. (Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3.g., of this part.) 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 (without a major field of study as outlined in (1)( a) above) that included, or was supplemented by, at least one of the following: i. 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). ii. One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15 -18 semester hours). iii. 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. iv. 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. Grade Determinations: Supervisory GS-13 (Assistant Chief) Experience. In addition to meeting the basic requirements, completion of one year of experience as a BRS equivalent to the GS-12 grade level. Certification. Candidates must meet the credentialing/certification requirements: Required at the GS-11 grade level and above. Applicants 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, closely related professional credential in special education or rehabilitation. [ ] NOTE: The ACVREP administers four certification programs: Low Vision Therapy, Orientation and Mobility, Assistive Technology Instruction and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy. They may then use the designation for the certification they hold (as listed in subparagraph(2)) below: BRS who provide the following service must obtain certification granted by ACVREP as follows: (a) Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists (COMS®). (b) Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRT®). (c) Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®). [(d) Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists (CATIS®). Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities. In addition to meeting the KSAs described at the GS-12 grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: (a) Ability to balance responsibilities and work with great autonomy. (b) Ability to organize work, set priorities, delegate tasks, meet multiple deadlines, analyze organizational problems, and develop and implement effective solutions. (c) Ability to analyze and use data effectively to manage workload, quality, performance, and productivity within the section, and to develop and administer systematic internal reviews to ensure conformance with local and national policies as well as accreditation standards. (d) Ability to provide technical expertise, supervise, motivate, and effectively manage a diverse clinical staff. (e) Skill in assessing qualifications and abilities of current and prospective employees. (f) Ability to develop productivity standards applicable to a blind rehabilitation center or equivalent clinical program. (g) Ability to adapt to new and changing work conditions, staffing, and contingencies. Assignment. [For all assignments above the full performance level, the higher-level duties must consist of significant scope, administrative independence, complexity (difficulty), and a range of variety, as described in this standard, at the specified grade level, and will be performed by the incumbent at least 25% of the time.] Assistant Chiefs serve as full assistants to Blind Rehabilitation Chief (BRC). Assistant Chiefs support the service chief and have full responsibility for all professional areas in a service-level department in the absence of the service chief. Assistant Chiefs exercise supervision, administrative management, and direction of professional areas in a blind rehabilitation center or clinical program. Assistant Chiefs have responsibility for general and/or technical supervision of key clinical and training programs within the service, and overall technical and administrative oversight of BRS References: VA Handbook 5005/109 March 13, 2019 PART II APPENDIX G41 II-G41-15 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-13. Physical Requirements: The work is sedentary. Some work may require movement between offices, hospitals, warehouses, and similar areas for meetings and to conduct work. Work may also require walking/standing, in conjunctions with travel to and attendance at meetings and/or conferences away from the work site. Incumbent may carry and lift light items weighing less than 15 pounds. ["The Assistant Chief supports the Chief of Blind Rehabilitation with activities pertaining to the daily operations of Blind Rehabilitation Service and maintains a leadership role in the professional standards for all VAPAHCS Blind Rehabilitation Specialists. As the Chief's alternate and back-up, the Assistant Chief may directly fulfill the responsibilities listed in this functional statement or may provide oversight while delegating other workers to fulfill them. The Assistant Chief establishes guidelines and performance expectations for staff supervised, which are communicated through the employee performance management system. Incumbent makes selections for supervisory and non-supervisory positions, hears group grievances and serious employee complaints, reviews serious disciplinary cases (i.e., those proposing suspensions and removals), and disciplinary problems involving key employees. The incumbent consults with specialists regarding training needs and collaborates with supervisors to determine the types of training needs that will benefit the Service. Assists in a variety of areas to ensure that staff has the optimal resources to carry out their responsibilities effectively and efficiently including training, education, and equipment. Incumbent is responsible for directing the Process Improvement Activities of the Service. Incumbent works closely with the Office of Quality, Safety & Value (QSV) at VAPAHCS to integrate the principles of quality management, patient safety, business compliance, and systems redesign within Blind Rehabilitation Services. Incumbent provides training/guidance with Systems Redesign improvement tools such as Rapid Process Improvement Workshops (RPIW), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), etc. to Blind Rehabilitation Specialists in their areas/units. Incumbent focuses on areas within the service that will develop methods to promote quality service provided to Veterans through a myriad of resources by assessing best practices and integrating into daily practice. The incumbent oversees development of measurable blind rehabilitation protocols and practice models in order to facilitate the use of statistical processes and analysis tools. Incumbent briefs management orally and in writing on a regular basis concerning matters related to Blind Rehabilitation Service, to provide information required to make effective decisions for program planning. Incumbent develops and monitors standards of clinical practice/standards of care for Blind Rehabilitation, including development of care guidelines, manuals, and guides of professional practices. Develops and advises on consistent standard operating procedures required to accomplish clinical care interventions and ensures that they are followed. Incumbent has oversight in the development of patient education materials for Blind Rehabilitation Service and works collaboratively with supervisors to ensure products are relevant, timely and suitable for the patient population. Incumbent oversees Blind Rehabilitation Services' compliance with standards defined by accrediting organizations and assists supervisors in the preparation for inspections. The incumbent coordinates all inspection scheduling, reporting, and follow-up. Having consultative authority, the incumbent serves as a vital professional influence and resource to Local Leadership in their compliance with standards defined by accrediting organizations, such as The Joint Commission and the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (TJC and CARF) standards applicable to Blind Rehabilitation. The Assistant Chief follows established program policies and procedures, rules, and regulations, related to fire, disaster, security measures, computer security, and universal fluid precautions. Participates as necessary in fire and emergency preparedness drills. Promotes safe behavior within the service. Safeguards own computer access/verify codes. Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]

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