Rehabilitation of the Blind Sp

Oklahoma State Government•Weatherford, TX

23d•$4,108 - $5,725

About The Position

Basic Purpose Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities for performing complex professional work which involves working in partnership with individuals who are blind or severely visually impaired who may have multiple secondary disabilities in their homes, communities and work environments, by providing instruction in alternative techniques for independent living and by providing in-depth counseling to consumers and their families in addressing challenges created by their blindness. Assistance is provided to consumers in obtaining information needed to make informed choices, which provides access to services that increase opportunities to live independently, increasing opportunities for employment. Assigned responsibilities include a comprehensive assessment of the consumers’ current level of independence in daily living, communication, orientation and mobility (ability to travel safely in their environment), and job readiness skills, and developing a comprehensive rehabilitation/independent living plan. Essential Functions: This position is a Rehab Teacher for the blind and visually impaired and is located at the SBVI69 – Weatherford, OK, field office. is responsible for providing counseling and individualized instruction to Oklahomans who are blind or visually impaired from Cimarron, Texas, Beaver, Harper, Woods, Alfalfa, Major, Woodward, Ellis, Dewey, Roger Mills, Custer, Beckham, and Washita Counties in facilitating solutions to the challenges of being able to live independently in the everyday environment and in dealing with problems created by their blindness, promoting confidence and self-esteem of the individual customer. A key duty will be raising the awareness of the clients to the opportunities and options which mastery of alternative blindness skills such as Braille, assistive technology, home management skills, etc. The Rehabilitation Teacher is required to be able to read, write and teach Braille I, utilizing a slate and stylus, as well as braille writers. The Rehabilitation Teacher must be proficient in the use of and instruction of basic technology to include iOS operations for iPhone, iPad, iPod and android phones and apps, and also basic computer skills and keyboarding. The Rehabilitation Teacher provides assessments and instruction to blind and visually impaired consumers pertinent to their functional abilities as they relate to home, work, school and social activities. The person in this position will also consult with other rehabilitation professionals through the vocational rehabilitation process to ensure high quality career and independent living outcomes for their customers. The person in this position must have a good working knowledge of specialized residential training centers in order to provide accurate information so their customers are able to make informed choices and decisions. Applicant must be willing to perform all job-related travel.

Requirements

Level I - Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a Bachelor’s degree in orientation and mobility, rehabilitation teaching or a bachelor’s degree and one year of experience in a disability related field. All applicants must have proficiency in Uncontracted Unified English Braille as demonstrated by the successful completion of a competency test administered by the Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Division of the Department of Rehabilitation Services.
Level II -Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a Bachelor’s degree in orientation and mobility, rehabilitation teaching plus two years of experience in rehabilitation teaching or orientation and mobility; or a bachelor’s degree and one year of experience in a disability related field plus two years of experience in rehabilitation teaching or orientation and mobility. All applicants at this level must be eligible to sit for certification for either the Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT) or Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) through the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) or the National Orientation and Mobility Certificate (NOMC). All applicants must have proficiency in Contracted Unified English Braille as demonstrated by the successful completion of a competency test administered by the Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Division of the Department of Rehabilitation Services.
Level III -Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a master’s degree in either Rehabilitation of the Blind, Visual/Vision services or Orientation and Mobility and three years of experience in rehabilitation teaching or orientation and mobility. All applicants at this level must be certified in either the Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT) or Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) through the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) or the National Orientation and Mobility Certificate, (NOMC). All applicants must have proficiency in Contracted Unified English Braille as demonstrated by the successful completion of a competency test administered by the Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Division of the Department of Rehabilitation Services.
Level IV - Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a master’s degree in either Rehabilitation of the Blind, Visual/Vision services or Orientation and Mobility and four years of experience in rehabilitation teaching or orientation and mobility. All applicants at this level must be certified in either the Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT) or Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) through the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) or the National Orientation and Mobility Certificate, (NOMC). All applicants must have proficiency in Contracted Unified English Braille as demonstrated by the successful completion of a competency test administered by the Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired Division of the Department of Rehabilitation Services.
Applicants must be willing and able to perform all job-related travel normally associated with this position.
The Department of Rehabilitation Services will conduct a criminal background check on new hires as part of an offer of employment that is made contingent upon a successful criminal background check.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. now and in the future without employer sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Prefer applicants currently holding a Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT) or Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS) through the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) or the National Orientation and Mobility Certification (NOMC), or the National Certification in Literary Braille or Unified English Braille (NCLB or NCUEB) from the National Blindness Professional Certification Board.
Application must include transcript which shows degree(s) awarded and copy of current Vision Rehabilitation Therapist or Orientation and Mobility Specialist through the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) or the National Orientation and Mobility Certificate (NOMC), or the National Certification in Literary Braille or Unified English Braille (NCLB or NCUEB) from the National Blindness Professional Certification Board or documentation showing proof of eligibility to sit for such certifications.

Responsibilities

Provides counseling and individualized instruction to persons who are blind or severely visually impaired who may have multiple secondary disabilities and their families to facilitate solutions to the problems created by blindness through reinforcing the client’s strengths and minimizing weaknesses to develop necessary self confidence.
Interprets and analyzes consumers physical or mental condition, social and economic situation, attitudes and aptitudes, job readiness, educational background, and personality traits to determine the extent of disability and potential for independent living and employment.
Consults with physicians and other medical and rehabilitation personnel to obtain information to aid in the determination of eligibility for rehabilitation services.
Develops an individualized rehabilitation/independent living plan with consumer; plans, arranges, and provides specialized services; authorizes and monitors the expenditures of funds.
Provides individual instruction to persons who are blind or severely visually impaired who may have multiple disabilities in developing orientation and mobility skills within different environments.
Provides instruction in orientation self protection techniques and management of dangerous situations; in long cane skills, in sighted guide techniques; sun wear and low vision aids; and mobility devices; in the use and access to public transportation systems; routes to schools, universities, or new job sites; prepares individuals to attend dog guide school and provides follow-up.
Educates and trains civic groups, rehabilitation professionals and other outside entities on the needs of the blind or visually impaired; develops community resources.
Consults with other consumers, interdisciplinary team members, and rehabilitation professionals for the purpose of developing a collaborative rehabilitation plan.
Conducts assessments and determines eligibility for services; documents consumers’ progress in achieving planned objectives; manages a caseload and maintains records in accordance with agency standards.
Provides instruction in specialized techniques of communication, (such as Braille reading and writing, script writing, accessing information through electronic devices, and the use of low vision aids), personal management (including medical management, personal grooming, time keeping, and money management), home management (housekeeping, home safety, home care, and home mechanics), activities of daily living (food preparation, labeling, personal organization, safety precautions, sighted guide, and locating dropped objects), and leisure time activities (crafts and hobbies, game modification, and leisure and sports activities).

Benefits

Generous state paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums
A wide choice of health insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations
Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses or dependent care
Employee assistance programs and health and fitness programs
11 paid holidays
15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave for the first year
Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match
Longevity Bonus for years of service
5% additional pay for the possession of an appropriate professional certification or licensure
Training opportunities to help meet CEU requirements