Vision Rehabilitation Specialist

State of North Carolina

3d

About The Position

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is one of the largest, most complex agencies in the state, and has approximately 17,000 employees. It is responsible for ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of all North Carolinians, providing human service needs for special populations including individuals who are deaf, blind, developmentally disabled, and mentally ill, and helping poor North Carolinians achieve economic independence. The position provides instruction in Orientation and Mobility (O&M) for adults and teens who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind. Many consumers have lost vision and attend the DSB Career and Training Center to learn skills that will enable them to become independent at home, in their community, and at work, thereby improving their quality of life. The O&M teacher provides direct instruction on independent travel skills at home and in the community to help individuals obtain gainful employment and enhance their quality of life. Specific teaching assignments will be individualized and will change based on the needs of each consumer. Teachers work in teams to provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary training experience for all students at the DSB Career and Training Center, both virtually and in person.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in visual impairment field from an appropriately accredited institution and certification by the Academy for Certification of Education and Rehabilitation Professionals (ACVREP) as: (1) Certified Low Vision Therapist (CLVT), or (2) Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, or (3) Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS), or (4) Certified Assistive Technology Instructional Specialist as needed for the area of assignment; OR Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as rehabilitation counseling or social work and three years of direct service experience with individuals who are blind or visually impaired and certification as indicated above as needed for the area of assignment.
• Applicants who do not possess certification are required to obtain certification within two years from the date of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in teaching orientation and mobility (O&M) for visually impaired students to reach their goals of independence, education, or employment.
• Experience in effective instructional strategies teaching specialized skills for teens and adults who are visually impaired, blind, and may have other secondary disabilities.
• At least one year of experience working with individuals with visual impairments.

Responsibilities

• Guide techniques, indoor techniques, and cane techniques
• Orientation concepts: route travel, block travel, street crossing, and transportation
• Transportation planning: taxi, city bus, paratransit, train, buses, Lyft, and Uber
• Travel techniques for individuals with low vision
• Technology for travel
• An overview of current navigation apps
• Provide focused instruction aligned with the consumer’s Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE)
• Teach students how to travel independently at home and in the community
• Differentiate instructional strategies and content to effectively teach individuals who have lost vision from a wide variety of backgrounds and with varying learning styles and readiness levels
• Complete assessments and develop lesson plans using lectures, tactile, auditory, and visual demonstrations, field trips, and virtual learning experiences for students enrolled in orientation and mobility classes
• Compose verbal and timely written reports; create and/or administer effective assessments; and document student progress and goal setting in the case management system
• Stay abreast of current trends, new products, and mobility apps for individuals who are visually impaired
• Work collaboratively with Center teachers and staff to assist consumers in achieving their academic or professional goals
• Participate as a member of the staff team, including assisting during mealtimes, attending planning and progress meetings, and participating in in-service trainings
• Develop competencies across subject areas to assist with coverage during staff absences and co-teach with other faculty to provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary learning experience for students remotely and in person
• Work with students and consumers who use service animals

Benefits

• The State of North Carolina offers excellent comprehensive benefits.
• Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis).
• Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave.
• In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level