Job Summary:

The Vision Rehabilitation Therapist will provide therapy to patients with visual impairments to improve their functioning in daily life activities and may train patients in activities such as computer use, communication skills, and home management skills.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• None.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Assesses clients functioning in areas such as vision, orientation and mobility skills, social and emotional issues, cognition, physical abilities, and personal goals.
• Teaches cane skills including cane use with a guide, diagonal techniques, and two-point touches. Trains clients to use tactile, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, and proprioceptive information. Trains clients to read and write Braille.
• Teaches clients to travel independently using actual and simulated travel situations andexercises.
• Develops rehabilitation and instructional plans collaboratively with clients based on results of assessments, needs, and goals. Recommends appropriate mobility devices and systems such as human guides, dog guides, long canes, electronic travel aids, and other adaptive mobility devices. Obtains, distributes, and maintains low-vision devices.
• Monitors clients progress to determine whether changes in rehabilitation plans are needed. Writes reports and completes forms to document assessments, training, progress, and follow-up outcomes.
• Collaborates with specialists such as rehabilitation counselors, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists to provide client solutions. Provides consultation, support, and education to groups such as parents and teachers.
• Participates in professional development activities such as reading literature, continuing education, attending conferences, and collaborating with colleagues.
• Refers clients to services such as eye care, health care, rehabilitation, and counseling, to enhance visual and life functioning and when conditions exceed scope of practice.
• Identifies visual impairments related to basic life skills in areas such as self-care, literacy, communication, health management, home management, and meal preparation.
• Designs instructional programs to improve communication using devices such as slates and styluses, Braillers, keyboards, adaptive handwriting devices, talking book machines, digital books, and optical character readers (OCRs).

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong patient care skills.
• Excellent listening skills and an understanding of the challenges facing the visually impaired.
• Strong understanding of the causes and impacts of visual impairment.

Education and Experience:

• Masters degree required; PhD preferred.
• Five or more years of related experience required.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Prolonged periods of standing, reaching, and bending.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.