Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Envision•Wichita, KS

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Responsible for assisting blind and visually impaired clients to achieve personal adjustment and maximum independence through orientation and mobility training and techniques that aid in daily living skills. Interviews clients, conducts assessments, provides instruction and/or training, and evaluates progress to determine present, and required or desired orientation and mobility goals. The O&M Specialist is also responsible for ensuring and maintaining compliance with QuadA, HIPAA, CMS, grant funding requirements, vendors, states agencies, and other regulatory guidelines and regulations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree with graduate training in Orientation and Mobility required.
Minimum of 1 to 3 years of previous experience in orientation and mobility training required.
Proficient knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.
Experience working with all disabled populations.
Knowledge of or experience in working with low vision aids and appliances.
Must possess excellent interpersonal skills necessary to provide close support and consultation.
Good organizational skills and attention to detail; job requires prioritizing tasks and working independently.
Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing.
Ability to work flexible schedule as necessary, and travel in state as required for job.
Current Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) certified by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation & Education Professionals (ACVREP) required.
Current CPR/First Aid certification required.

Nice To Haves

Utilization of an electronic medical record for documentation purposes is preferred.

Responsibilities

Conduct orientation and mobility assessment process with client that focuses on both short term and long term needs of the client. Includes the needs and strengths of the client and an estimate of the length and frequency of service necessary to meet identified needs and goals.
Prepare sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the client’s assessed needs, IEP goals and objectives, functioning level, and motivational level to include all of part of the following: Perform intake assessment, Patient evaluation report, Physical conditioning, Human guide technique, Pre-cane skills, Orientation skills, Functional vision skills, Bioptic training.
Prepare and use equipment and materials for the development of orientation and mobility skills, e.g., tactual maps, models, distance low vision aids, and long canes.
Confer regularly with family members, parents, teachers, and/or other special education personnel to assist in work, home and classroom environmental modifications, adaptations, and considerations and to ensure reinforcement of appropriate orientation and mobility skills that will encourage the client with a visual impairment to travel independently in these settings.
Provide orientation and mobility instruction, to include but not limited to, body imagery, sensory awareness, spatial concepts, compass direction concepts, basic protective and information gathering techniques, map skills, and cane skills.
Instruct clients/students with visual impairments in the development of skills and knowledge that enable them to travel independently, to the highest degree possible, in accordance with the clients’ assessed needs and goals and the client’s IFSP/IEP/ITP.
Teach clients/students to travel with proficiency, safety, and confidence in familiar and unfamiliar environments.
Transport clients/students to various community locations as necessary or requested to provide meaningful instruction in realistic learning environments, which could include: To and from residence to work and back home, To community resources/locations, Home adaptation needs.
Evaluate client/student’s progress and ensure O&M service documentation /progress reports are completed as required.
Utilize the Electronic Medical Record for timely, accurate, and thorough documentation of assessments and progress notes.
Maintain awareness of current practices in the field through review of literature, attendance at conferences, continuing education requirements for certification, etc.
Personify and promote Envision’s core valutes of integrity, curiosity, passion, initiative, teamwork, and excellence.
Flexibility to perform other duties as assigned.