Job Description

Are you ready to make a difference in your community? Do YOU want to work on a team that is committed to empowering individuals? At Helen Keller Services, our employees work in an environment that is more than just a workplace, it’s a community.

Since 1893, Helen Keller Services (HKS) has been committed to improving the lives of individuals who are blind, visually impaired or have combined hearing and vision loss. HKS serves the New York City/Long Island area from its new headquarters in dynamic downtown Brooklyn and the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults of Sands Point, New York, which has a network of regional offices that extends HKS’ reach across the United States.

We currently have an exciting full time opportunity to be a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist/ Orientation and Mobility Specialist (VRT/OMS) in our Islandia location.

The VRT/OMS is responsible for providing instruction to people with visual impairments to teach them to travel independently and to teach them independent living skills to enable them to live independently at home, to obtain employment and to participate in community life. He/she works as part of a multidisciplinary team with other HKSB instructors, NYSCB staff and community resources. The VRT/O&M must demonstrate a sincere commitment to HKS’s Mission and Values and conduct him/herself at a high professional level at all times and project a positive image of HKS internally and externally.

Essential duties/Responsibilities:

• Assesses and evaluates the independent living and travel needs and abilities of clients to support immediate and lifelong goals.
• Documents client skill levels during the initial evaluation, maintains detailed progress notes throughout the training cycle, and completes a comprehensive report upon service completion.
• Develops individualized Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) and Orientation and Mobility (O&M) plans in conjunction with the client.
• Coordinates the implementation of the VRT/O&M plan and independently schedules and coordinates all client instruction.
• Coordinates client services with NYSCB staff and other HKSB instructors; acts as a liaison with outside organizations, NYSCB staff, etc.
• Assists in achieving department contract goals.
• Provides consultation, public education, and in-service training.
• Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Instruction includes (but is not limited to):
• Concept Development: body image, spatial, temporal, positional, directional, and environmental concepts.
• Motor Development: balance, posture, gait, and the use of adaptive devices/techniques for clients with multiple disabilities.
• Sensory Development: integration of visual, auditory, and tactile senses.
• Use of residual vision.
• Upper and Lower Self-Protective Techniques and Trailing.
• Sighted Guide techniques.
• Cane techniques.
• Street crossing techniques.
• Block and route travel.
• Use of public transportation (bus, railroad, and subway).
• Researches travel routes to determine the safest and simplest route.
• Provides orientation and familiarization to new environments.
• Vision Rehabilitation Therapy (VRT) Instruction Includes (but is not limited to):
• Self-care and family-care management.
• Household management.
• Communication skills.
• Eating skills.
• Food preparation and planning.
• Organizational skills.
• Basic financial management.
• Pre-occupational/worksite skills.
• Leisure activities.
• Use of low vision devices and training techniques.
• Teaches problem solving and resource utilization, including the acquisition of adaptive equipment.

Education/Certifications:

Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in Orientation & Mobility and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy or Bachelor’s degree and successful competition of CBVH approved program. ACVREP dual certification preferred.

Preferred certification through the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP)

At HKS we strive to provide a healthy work-life balance for our employees. We offer generous paid time off and comprehensive benefit package including:

• Paid Vacation
• Paid Sick Time
• Personal Days
• Paid Holidays
• Voluntary Ancillary plans
• 403b Program with Employer Match
• Career Advancement Opportunities

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