Blind Rehabilitation Specialist - Orientation & Mobility

Blind Rehabilitation Specialist - Orientation & Mobility

 

Join the Rehabilitation Team at the newly-developed Visual Impairment Services Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinic in Lyons, NJ, a scenic town within an hour of New York City and the sunny New Jersey shore (Atlantic City).

 

Duties: 

The incumbent is responsible for functioning as a full member of the Rehabilitation Team. The team is responsible for the total rehabilitation process of their assigned patients. This includes: evaluating patient needs, counseling, developing an individualized treatment plan, implementing this plan, and recommending prosthetic issuance. The incumbent also assists research in evaluating new technology, provides cross training instruction for other blind rehabilitation specialists in low vision and blindness, and develops instructional material that can be utilized by any member of the team.

 

Orientation and mobility instruction is a sequential process in which visually impaired individuals are taught to utilize their remaining senses to determine their position within their environment and to negotiate safe movement from one place to another.  The skills involved in this instruction include concept development, which includes body image, spatial, temporal, positional, directional, and environmental concepts, motor development, including motor skills needed for balance, posture, and gait, as well as the use of adaptive devices and techniques to assist those with multiple disabilities, sighted guide techniques, upper and lower body protective techniques, locating dropped objects, trailing, squaring-off, long cane techniques, soliciting/declining assistance, following directions, utilizing landmarks, search patterns, compass directions, route planning, analysis and identification of intersections and traffic patterns, use of traffic control devices, techniques for crossing streets, techniques for travel in indoor environments, outdoor residential, small and large business districts, mall travel, and rural areas, problem solving, the use of public transportation, use of low vision devices and light management controls.

 

Qualifications:  

Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study in an accredited college or university leading to a bachelor's or higher degree that included a major field of study or specific course requirements in an academic field related to health sciences or allied sciences appropriate to the work of a Blind Rehabilitation Specialist OR appropriate combination of education and experience.  Orientation and Mobility Certification required. All applicants must be U.S. Citizens.

 

Salary & Benefits Information:

We offer rewarding career opportunities, competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package that includes immediate leave accrual and health insurance/retirement coverage. 

 

Contact Information:

Please email resume and a cover letter that must indicate whether you are a U.S. Citizen and the level of education completed.  Applications without the required information will not be considered.

 

Email: Claudette.Ogilvie@va.gov

 

The VA is an Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/V/H.