Job Openings

AK CTR for the Blind & Visually Impaired

04/14/2021

The Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ACBVI) is looking for a Regular Outreach Coordinator/Low Vision Therapist to identify Mat-Su residents who are blind/low vision to provide access to vision rehabilitation services to improve their overall health, well-being, and quality of life.  The Outreach Coordinator/Low Vision Therapist will work from home, traveling throughout the Mat-Su Valley area making presentations to community and other groups, developing and maintaining relationships with eye doctors, senior providers, local businesses, organizations and others in a position to refer prospective clients to ACBVI or providing support for ACBVI’s programs.  In addition, the Outreach Coordinator/Low Vision Therapist will provide intake and referral support to clients, schedule and coordinate services, and provide for peer networking, social opportunities and home visits.

Required Education, Work Experience, and Other

·       A Bachelor’s degree in vision rehabilitation, health care, human services, or a related field preferred.

·       Successful experience in health care, senior services, or client services for people with disabilities required.

·       A valid Alaska driver’s license, clean driving record, and reliable transportation with insurance coverage meeting the State of Alaska requirements.

·       Computer literate with a working knowledge of Microsoft Office, with ability to electronically file, report, create informational flyers, databases, and perform mail merges. Ability to learn specific databases as may be required for job duties.

·       A satisfactory report from a criminal background check.  

Mat-Su Outreach Coordinator Responsibilities:

·       Provide disability awareness presentations singly or as part of a team that focus on blindness and the programs offered at the Center to community leaders, educators, service organizations, and other members of the general public upon request.

·       Develop a strategic plan to promote and increase available programming and services to individuals living with blindness/low vision within the Mat-Su Valley communities in order to meet needs outlined in our mission statement and the Mat-Su Healthy Impact Grant.

·       Record and report program activity statistics according to requirements of the grant.  

·       Keep timely and accurate records for all program activities and participants. 

·       Actively maintain and recruit new participants for programs, striving to reach the grant’s participation goals. 

·       Develop and implement written monthly schedule of outreach activities for programs. 

·       Attend ACBVI staff meetings and participate in training/educational opportunities. 

·       Work to develop relationships with individuals and organizations which provide program participants with beneficial knowledge, skills, and access to relevant programs and services for the blind community. 

·       Help to identify and secure funding sources which support blind and low vision related programs, in partnership with the Development Director and Executive Director. 

·       Occasionally provide transportation to participants for activities (such as Senior Support Groups.)   

Low Vision Specialist Responsibilities:

Direct Service Delivery:

·       Deliver comprehensive functional low vision assessments to clients, some of whom may have multiple disabilities in addition to loss of sight, including demonstration of various optical and non-optical devices.

·       Compile information gathered during the assessments into detailed reports to be sent to the eye care professionals and funding sources, as appropriate, that include a list of devices recommended to improve client safety and quality of life while considering their vision needs and goals.

·       Prepare requisitions for the ordering of recommended devices from distributing companies and manufacturers for clients and offer clients follow up training in their care and use.

·       Encourage and support clients to accept their loss of vision and embrace an attitude of independence and problem-solving using alternative techniques.

·       Make appropriate referrals, as needed, to internal areas such as our Visually Impaired Senior Alaskans Program (VISA)/home visits, Orientation and Mobility, Assistive Technology, Braille, Manual Skills, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and/or other agencies.

·       Supply clients with information concerning their eye conditions, including handouts and booklets as requested.

·       Maintain client files and related information in accordance with laws and regulations governing confidentiality.

·       Remain informed on the latest trends, techniques and equipment used in the provision of low vision assessments.

·       Conduct on-the-job work site evaluations in tandem with other staff and make recommendations for useful improvements and adaptations to increase efficiency and productivity.

·       Provide technical assistance to family members and significant others of clients regarding ways of dealing with low vision and/or blindness.

·       Conduct regularly scheduled Low Vision Clinics, working with a local Mat-Su eye doctor’s office to facilitate the clinic. 

The Mat-Su Outreach Coordinator/Low Vision Therapist must possess the following knowledge, or have the ability to become educated within the first 12 months of hire.

·     Understand the human visual system including diseases, conditions, and disorders, approved interventions, and implications for daily living.

·     Basic optics of the eye and the optical properties of magnifiers as well as corrective devices for refractive errors.

·     Optical and non-optical devices for enhancing remaining vision along with their characteristics, uses, advantages, and disadvantages.

·     The psychosocial aspects of low vision and their implications for client lifestyles.

·     The impact of additional disabilities on low vision as well as possible interventions.

·     The components of a low vision clinical examination, including procedures and equipment.

·     The use of adaptive devices and techniques by those who are blind or visually impaired.

·     The issues of blindness/low vision and their implications for adult learners.

Other Skills:

·     Working effectively with diverse populations (clients/families, general public, agency personnel).

·     Providing instruction in the application of adaptive techniques and strategies for using vision efficiently.

·     Techniques for teaching visual skills, such as fixating, focusing, eccentric viewing, tracing, tracking, scanning, and localizing with and without optical devices.

·     Teaching and training people who are disabled.

·     Communicating effectively orally, and in writing as well as public presentation.

 Skills and Experience:

Ability to:

·     Motivate clients in the productive use of time.

·     Compile and write monthly reports and composite service delivery information.

·     Work as a team member in providing rehabilitation training to blind/low vision clients.

·     Meet deadlines and work under pressure.

·     Seek and access opportunities for professional development.

·     Travel independently for work appointments, service delivery, and work-related events.

Physical Requirements – must be able to:

·     use hands and arms to operate office equipment

·     sit less than half the workday

·     stand and/or walk up to half the workday

·     bend, stretch, twist, crouch and/or reach

·     view electronic monitors or use assistive technology such as a screen reader or Braille output for prolonged periods of time

·     use hands and arms for repetitive motion tasks

·     lift or carry unaided up to 20 pounds

·     push or pull using up to moderate force

Working Conditions:

Work is conducted in the Outreach Coordinator/Low Vision Specialist’s home, standard office environments as well as in conference rooms, medical offices, senior centers, private homes. Regular travel throughout the Mat-Su Valley is required, using a personal vehicle or an alternate pre-approved arrangement.

All Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired employees are expected to consistently demonstrate the organization’s values and a commitment to the Center’s mission and to equality for people with disabilities. Employees are expected to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, accountability, cooperation with and respect for others.

ACBVI provides 12 paid Holidays, Annual Leave, Sick Leave, and Personal Leave and offers an opportunity to contribute to a retirement plan through a Tax Sheltered Annuity.  Professional liability insurance is provided.  Mileage reimbursement and a monthly contribution to a cell phone is offered.  Necessary computer, printer and other office equipment is provided.

E_mail: nkile@alaskabvi.org

Phone: 907 - 771-4302

Cert: Any Certification

30 hours per week to start

Salary: $33,750-$36,000