VA Opportunity-Career Opportunity
Department of Veterans Affairs
PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIPS Technical Career Field
Blind Rehabilitation Service - Veterans Health Administration
Internship Opportunity in Blind Rehabilitation
VA Blind Rehabilitation Service is offering 10 full-time competitive pay internships, in the Blind Rehabilitation Centers, for professionals with at least a bachelor’s degree. Interns will participate in a 2-year formal training and development program designed to provide them with key skills and competencies to progress to more responsible and higher paying positions. Internships are located in Chicago, IL, Birmingham, AL, West Palm Beach, FL, Palo Alto, CA, San Juan, PR, Seattle, WA and West Haven, CT.
Interns who successfully complete the training will be eligible to apply for full-time positions in VHA Blind Rehabilitation or may be placed non-competitively in a position. Opportunities are available following the internships to pursue VA careers through advancement to specialized practice and management positions.
Work will include:
- Assessment and development of personal goal-based training programs for persons with visual impairment who are teenaged to elderly veterans.
- Implementation of the training programs to help veterans achieve their goals.
- Coordination of the veterans’ overall blind rehabilitation experiences for successful completion.
VA - A National Leader in the Provision of Blind and Low Vision Rehabilitation
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has ten inpatient blind rehabilitation centers across the country. Staff at the blind rehabilitation centers instructs veterans in the skill areas of Orientation and Mobility, Living Skills, Manuals Skills, Visual Skills and Computer Access Training. Other staff includes low vision optometrists, a staff psychologist, social worker, recreation coordinator and nursing staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Each blind rehabilitation staff provides training for approximately 200 veterans annually. Center staff experiences the rewarding and creative challenge of working with a diverse group of veterans. Staff members are exposed to opportunities to grow in their positions by helping to evaluate and develop new training programs and new devices. Opportunities are available to attend conferences sponsored by national organizations in blind rehabilitation. Career opportunities in the Veterans Health Administration are abundant.
In addition to the traditional blind rehabilitation programs, VHA has recently announced a three year, $40 million deployment of additional outpatient programs emphasizing low vision and providing care for veterans close to home. These programs will enhance inpatient services and expand outpatient blind and low vision services at the approximately 1,400 sites nationally where the VHA provides care.
Competitive Salary
"Blind Rehabilitation Specialist" 601 series – levels of employment Government Schedule Grades -7/9/11 FTEE salary levels effective January 2007
- GS-7 $41,367 yearly
- GS-9 $50,599 yearly
- GS-11*$61,221 - $79,590 (*salary potential immediately following completion of internship)
Additional Internship Benefits
During the 2-year training period the internship also provides (in additional to salary):
- $5000.00 per year for training and textbooks.
- $5000.00 per year for travel and lodging to attend blind rehabilitation conferences and meetings.
- Funds for relocation at the conclusion of the program if the intern is placed at a facility other than the training site.
Upon successful completion of the program, interns will be invited to apply for one of the many positions in blind rehabilitation nationwide and will be converted
- 10 paid Federal holidays
- 13 to 26 days of paid annual leave (personal/vacation)
- 13 days of paid sick leave per year with no limit on accumulation
Qualification Requirements
- Eligibility for hire by United States of America Government
- Minimum of Bachelors degree - preferably in allied health field related to blind/vision rehabilitation
For more information, contact: Gale Watson – BRS Technical Career Field Program Manager Gale.Watson@va.gov
The Federal Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Selection will be made without regard to race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, marital status, non-disqualifying physical handicaps, organizational affiliations, or any other non-merit factor.