AMVETS Jobs

Summary This position is located at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital, Hines, IL (578) - a Level 1a Complexity VHA Facility. The Blind Rehabilitation Service (BRS) Assistant Chief has 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. Responsibilities Responsibilities & Duties: Under the direction of the BRS Chief, incumbent is responsible for the supervision and administrative management of an inpatient Blind Rehabilitation Center of more than 15 beds in a VA Medical Center. The incumbent provides 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. The incumbent serves as Acting Chief during absence of the Chief. 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. Demonstrates 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 to analyze clinically appropriate data effectively to optimize quality, performance, and productivity within the section. Demonstrates the ability to set priorities, delegate tasks, and solve problems in order to meet multiple deadlines and identify/address organizational problems. Provides overall clinical supervision that assures the proper coordination and delivery of care within the blind rehabilitation section and the facility at large. Employees' work assignments, workloads and problems must be well managed by the Supervisor. Makes recommendations in regard to employee recognition, promotions, recruitment, as well as, adverse actions. Assists the Chief in administering quality improvement and performance improvement monitoring and activities. Continuously works to ensure compliance with Joint Commission, CARF and other accreditation programs. Serves as the expert on CARF Quality Standards and securing successful ongoing CARF accreditation. Appropriately establishes priorities and assigns tasks accordingly. Ensures staff understands short term priorities. Effectively assigns and delegates work. Appropriately provides counsel and documents employee performance and conduct issues as needed. Ensures local education requirements are met as appropriate. Fosters an environment that values and respects individual differences. Takes an active role in prevention of harassment behavior and adheres to policies. Understands and adheres to federal regulations in regarding staffing practices. Understands recruitment options and collaborates with HR throughout the staffing process (recruiting, hiring, staffing). Resolves employee issues/complaints at the lowest level and refers unresolved grievances and complaints to appropriate sources. Fosters employees' potential and career goals for effective succession planning and retention. Is aware of current employee development resources and opportunities. Manages workload to support employees and ensure they have sufficient time available to participate in developmental opportunities. Assures all employees work in a safe, clean, infection-free environment and promotes these practices among program employees. May assist in the development of guidelines, policies, procedures and their implementation within the Blind Rehabilitation Service in VA central office. Work Schedule: Weekdays from 7:30am through 4pm Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Is not authorized Telework: Not Available Functional Statement #: 02366F 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. 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. 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. 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: Candidates at this grade level must possess (Transcripts must be submitted): 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, 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: 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). One full year of directly related graduate level coursework (typically at least 15 - 18 semester hours). 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. NOTE: 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. * Certification: Candidates at this grade level must have one of four certifications awarded by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (Certificates must be submitted): Orientation and mobility training - Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialists(COMS®); Communication and daily living therapy - Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists(CVRT®); Low vision therapy - Certified Low Vision Therapists (CLVT®) Assistive Technology - Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialists Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. Physical Requirements: Position requires some light lifting less than 25lbs., such as walking, bending, and stooping. Occasional exposure to patients in an inpatient medical center setting occurs. No special physical requirements need to be met. The incumbent may be required to travel with over-night stays. 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: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information 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. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. 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.