REHABILITATION OF THE BLIND SPECIALIST, K23

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 adaptive techniques for independent living and by providing in-depth counseling to consumers and their families in adjusting to the problems 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.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS:

The functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:

• 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 adjustment 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).

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:

This job family consists of four levels which are distinguished by the level of complexity and diversity of the specific job assignments, the level of expertise required for the completion of duties assigned and the responsibility assigned for assisting in the training and supervision of others.

Level I                                                    Code:  K23A                                         Salary Band:  J

This is the basic level where employees are assigned responsibilities for performing entry-level work, in a training status, under direct supervision.  Direct supervision includes, but is not limited to, supervisor’s signature authority on approval on eligibility decisions, individual plans (IPE/IRP) and amendments, authorizations for services, evaluations and case closure.  In this role employees will be responsible for maintaining a caseload and providing services, instruction and counseling in such areas as Braille reading and writing at the level of Grade One, daily living skills, orientation and mobility skills, or independent living skills to persons who are blind or severely visually impaired who may have multiple secondary disabilities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of modern educational practices and principles as applied to teaching Grade One Braille, communications, personal management, home management, adapted activities of daily living and leisure time activities, and indoor and outdoor orientation and mobility; of methods of evaluating, diagnosing, and classifying learning abilities; and of the principles of guidance, counseling, and psychology of the severely visually impaired or blind; of modern educational practices and  teaching principles of orientation and mobility, including lesson planning and chaining; and of the methods of assessing orientation skills, diagnosing learning styles and utilization of dog guide techniques.  Ability is required to plan a program of instruction and motivation of consumers to obtain the skills and information needed to reach their individualized goals; to provide counseling; to evaluate and analyze data and situations accurately; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with consumers and family; to adapt training methods and tools to address individual consumer’s independent living and orientation and mobility needs, including the application of various methods to accommodate developmentally disabled, juvenile, and older learners; and to participate and assist in support group activities.

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.

Level II                                                   Code:  K23B                                         Salary Band:  K

This is the career level where employees are assigned responsibilities for performing professional duties with a moderate level of supervision which includes, but is not limited to, oversight, guidance, mentoring, and signature authority for case closure.  Specialists at this level may have signature authority for eligibility decisions, development and amendments of plans, written evaluation reports and authorization for services.  This level provides services to include counseling and instruction in such areas as Braille reading and writing at the level of Grade Two, daily living skills, orientation and mobility skills or independent living skills to individuals who are blind or severely visually impaired who may have multiple secondary disabilities.  Instruct individuals in dog guide techniques and procedures.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level I plus knowledge of practical and theoretical work with dog guides and the ability to perform a full range of services, counseling and instruction independently; to teach Braille reading and writing at the level of Grade Two; to independently develop and conduct in-service training support groups, and confident living programs; and to work with graduates of dog guide schools.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those indicated in Level I 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 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, Category A (NOMC) from the National Blindness Professional Certification Board.

Level III                                                  Code:  K23C                                         Salary Band:  L

This is the expert level of this job family where employees will act as a subject matter resource person providing guidance and assistance to lower level specialists in providing rehabilitation services and assistance to blind or severely visually impaired clients.  May provide community based training.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required at this level include those listed at Level II plus ability to provide guidance and assistance to others by mentoring and preparing and assigning and reviewing activities of interns.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those indicated in Level II.  All applicants at this level must be certified in either 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, Category A (NOMC) from the National Blindness Professional Certification Board.

Level IV                                                 Code:  K23D                                         Salary Band:  M

This is the leadership level of this job family where employees carry a full caseload and act as a team leader.  Employees at this level will function independently and assign work and supervise lower level rehabilitation of the blind professionals and/or rehabilitation technicians and/or develop new initiatives and serve as a special project manager.  Employees at this level will assign work and review completed work projects, provide in-service training to lower level Rehabilitation specialists and supervise interns and Rehabilitation Technician staff.  May provide community based training.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities required at this level include those identified at Level III plus knowledge of principles and practices of effective supervision and demonstrated ability to provide training and guidance to others.

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 experience in rehabilitation teaching or orientation and mobility.   All applicants at this level must be certified as either 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, Category A (NOMC) from the National Blindness Professional Certification Board.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Certification by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) or the National Orientation and Mobility Certificate, Category A (NOMC) from the National Blindness Professional Certification Board.

Applicants must be willing and able to perform all job-related travel normally associated with this position.

Latest revision date:  10-26-11