Job Openings

The Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment, Inc. (AVRE)

04/19/2017

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Orientation and Mobility Specialist (O&M)


The Association for Vision Rehabilitation and Employment, Inc. (AVRE) seeks an Orientation and Mobility Specialist (O&M) to work with people in the Southern Tier of New York who are blind or visually impaired. The O&M Specialist will join a team of dedicated professionals committed to working with people who are visually impaired to live successful and independent lives. AVRE assists approximately 2,000 individuals annually through provision of itinerant services.

Compensation is competitive.

ASSOCIATION FOR VISION REHABILITATION & EMPLOYMENT, INC. (AVRE) JOB DESCRIPTION

  1. JOB IDENTIFICATION
    1. TITLE: Orientation and Mobility Specialist (O&M) (I, II)
    2. REPORTS TO: Director - Health and Rehabilitation Services
    3. FLSA STATUS: Exempt
  2. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
    An Orientation and Mobility Specialist (I, II) will assess the individual’s current travel abilities, determine (with the individual) mobility goals, and provide training to blind and visually impaired individuals in methods of independence and safe travel, to the extent of each individual’s abilities and desires.
  3. RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE WORK OF OTHERS
    1. O &M (I) - None.
    2. O &M (II) -
    • May supervise and train O&M assistants and student interns.
    • As assigned by Director, maintains availability to provide clinical guidance to O&M Specialist (I) in the development and implementation of service plans, to ensure consistency with AVRE and ACVREP standards.
  4. BUSINESS COMMUNICATION
    1. Communication with the Director - Health and Rehabilitation Services is frequent.
    2. Communication for O&M (I) - with O&M Specialist (II) and (III) staff is frequent and ongoing, to obtain clinical guidance in development and implementation of service plans, to ensure consistency with AVRE and ACVREP standards.
    3. Communication for O&M (II) - with assigned O&M Specialist (I) staff is frequent and ongoing to provide clinical guidance in development and implementation of service plans, to ensure consistency with AVRE and ACVREP standards.
    4. Communication with other Community Service staff, i.e.: Social Workers, Rehabilitation Therapists, is ongoing.
    5. Communication with eye doctors, NYSCB counselor and other vision related professionals is on a regular basis.
    6. Communication with human service agencies is occasional.
    7. Communication with visually impaired consumers, their family members and significant others (when appropriate) is frequent.
  5. SUPERVISION REQUIRED
    1. O&M (I, II) - requires the ability to work independently and in close coordination with the Director - Health and Rehabilitation Services.
    2. O&M (I) - requires ongoing clinical guidance from assigned O&M Specialist (II) and (III) staff to ensure development and implementation of service plans, to ensure consistency with AVRE and ACVREP standards.
  6. EDUCATION REQUIRED
    1. O&M (I, II) - must possess a Master’s or Bachelor’s degree with specialization in Orientation & Mobility instruction.
    2. O&M (I) - Certification from the Academy for the Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) is desired but not required.
    3. O&M (II) - Certification from the Academy for the Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP) is required.
  7. TRAINING AND SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED
    Knowledge of current trends in Orientation & Mobility teaching techniques and use of specialized equipment is expected.
  8. EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
  9. O&M (I) - Experience in providing Orientation & Mobility instruction to both children and adults is preferred, but not required.
    O&M (II) - One or more years of experience providing Orientation & Mobility instruction to children and/or adults is required.

  10. PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
    O&M (I, II) -
    1. Evaluate the consumer’s Orientation & Mobility needs in the home, work, school and/or other community environments.
    2. Provide instruction in sighted guide, protective techniques, indoor travel, basic cane travel, residential travel, business travel, and public transportation.
    3. Request adaptive equipment and instruct consumer in the use of these items.
    4. Instruct consumer in the use of low vision equipment used for travel, such as a monocular.
    5. Complete service logs, interim reports and final reports to document all services delivered, utilizing correct documentation methodology.
    6. Collaborate with other staff members to ensure continuity of services.
    7. Maintain strict confidentiality in all aspects of AVRE activities.
    Additional for O&M (I) -
    1. Seek regular and ongoing clinical guidance from assigned O&M Specialist (II) and (III) staff in development and implementation of service plans, to ensure consistency with AVRE and ACVREP standards.
    Additional for O&M (II) -
    1. Maintain availability to provide clinical guidance (and documentation of clinical guidance) in service plan development and implementation to Orientation & Mobility Specialist (I) staff as delegated by Director - Health and Rehabilitation Services.
    2. Conduct periodic skill assessment of O&M (I) staff as delegated by Director - Health and Rehabilitation Services.
    3. Provide regular and ongoing clinical guidance to assigned O&M Specialist (I) staff in development and implementation of service plans, to ensure consistency with AVRE and ACVREP standards.

NOTE: Nothing in this job description should be construed as meaning that these are the only tasks and duties of the position. Management reserves the right to modify positions as determined by business and consumer needs and requirements.

AVRE is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

Please submit cover letter and resume to:

Dianne Cappiello, Human Resources
AVRE
174 Court Street
Binghamton, NY 13901

Via email - apply@avreus.org

Phone: 607-724-2428
Fax: 607-771-8045
www.avreus.org

E_mail: apply@avreus.org

Phone: 607-724-2428

Cert: COMS