Job Openings

VISIONS Services for the Blind

11/01/2022

Residential Services CVRT

Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Definition:

Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists (CVRTs) work with visually impaired individuals to reestablish or develop independent living skills.  CVRTs are knowledgeable in methods of working with visually impaired individuals who are congenitally or adventitiously (acquired) blind or visually impaired.

The CVRTs complete diagnostic assessments to determine the individual’s current ability to carry out their daily activities and to assist in the development of realistic goals that will serve as the focus of lessons.  The instructor creates individualized treatment plans that are structured according to the individual’s interests, needs and abilities.  This includes prescription of adaptive equipment that will be needed by the individual to reach their established goals.  CVRTs work with individuals of all ages.

Training is provided either in the consumer’s home or in an appropriate community setting as determined by the consumer’s needs.  Individual or group lessons and may include: kitchen skills, communication skills, financial management, home management, personal management skills, keyboarding and Braille.  Lessons will incorporate the use of adaptive equipment and use of residual vision as appropriate.  The CVRT may also assist the consumer in learning how to utilize low vision aids as employed for CVRT tasks.

Monitoring consumer’s safety and progress and evaluating the training environment are essential components of the CVRT job responsibilities. 

Summary:

CVRT provides rehabilitation services to enhance the independence of people who are visually impaired or blind.  They also produce paperwork in accordance with the requirements of the NYS Commission for the Blind (NYSCB) and/or other funders.  Perform assessments of consumer needs; prepares and implements a teaching plan for NYSCB, grant sponsored and non-sponsored consumers.

CVRT staff works in the context of a multi-disciplinary team.  This includes the sharing of information with other staff members involved with consumers and making referrals to other disciplines as required.  The CVRT will consult with the Senior Director of Rehabilitation to ensure optimal instruction is provided to VISIONS participants.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. 

Adult Residential Rehab Services

1.    Provide rehabilitation instruction to include:

a.      Prepare sequential and meaningful instruction geared to the participant’s assessed needs, IPE goals and objectives, functioning level, and motivation level. 

b.      Be responsible for the participant’s safety during VRT/O&M instruction and in other environments while fostering maximum independence during VRT/O&M lessons.

c.      Provide rehabilitation therapy instruction, i.e., meal management, home management, financial management, childcare, personal management, and communication skills.

d.      Provide indoor orientation of new buildings and new class schedules to participants with visual impairments as needed, including those community settings where participants receive instruction.  As well as those for recreational leisure activities

e.      Provide O&M services at other partner locations i.e. SUNY Rockland County Community College, BOCES, etc.

2.    Consult with other professional staff to plan, coordinate and assess participant rehabilitation objectives.

3.    Document participants’ progress through the use of standardized reports submitted within the time frame required by NYSCB and/or other funders.

4.    Provide individualized and/or group instruction to participants as indicated.

5.    Provide indoor orientation and mobility training, i.e., indoor mobility, sighted guide techniques.

6.    Design lessons that incorporate Assistive Technology goals with other objectives when indicated.

7.    Prepare service evaluation reports, within the respective program session unless approved by the Senior Director.

Community Services, VRC Pre-ETS and other programs

8.    Provide a minimum of a monthly update to Senior Director of Rehabilitation and Senior Department Manager on community participant’s progress.

9.    Serve VISIONS’ participants that attend the Vocational Rehab Center and other VCB programs; cases outside of VCB in the Rockland, Orange counties, other upstate counties may be assigned when the VRC is not providing sessions and/or depending on case load at the VRC.

10. Maintain a schedule of appointments that allows for every participant registered in the VRC program to receive instruction at least two times per week or as necessary to help the participant reach his/her goal when necessary. Additionally, provide group instruction and plan experience learning activities for the VRC participants.

11. Close cases in a timely manner and prepare and submit reports for comprehensive contract outcome services within two weeks of completing the service unless otherwise approved by the Senior Director

12. May need to provide VRT and/or O&M services during special programs at other VISIONS locations as assigned by the Senior Director

13.  Participate in parent weekend visits and meetings as assigned

General Duties

14. Submit all schedules, time sheets, vacation requests and expense reports in a timely manner.

15. Participate in staff in service training and community conferences (when appropriate) to maintain proficiency in the use of methods and equipment to meet participants’ needs. 

16. Participate in team meetings and makes referrals to other service providers.

17. Involvement in professional development activities from both a participant and presenter prospective.

18.  Participate in special projects/grant projects as assigned

19. Other duties as assigned

Education and/or Experience

CVRT must have a Bachelors or Master’s degree in Blind Rehabilitation and be ACVREP certified in Rehabilitation Teaching.  Certification must be obtained within one year of hire.

CVRT are required to have computer/word processing skills or acceptable alternative to completing reports and case notes.

???????Salary Range: $62,000-$79,000 commensurate with experience.  Moving expense reimbursement is available.  Short-term accommodation in a two-bedroom cottage is available for anyone relocating. 

Location and Schedule: This full-time exempt position is based at the VISIONS Center on Blindness campus, 111 Summit Park Road, Spring Valley NY, 10977.  Scheduled evening hours once a week is required and weekend hour may be required during the summer months. Time off black-out period during the peak of summer programming scheduled around the end of July thru end of August.

VISIONS is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit rehabilitation and social service agency incorporated in 1926.  VISIONS provides service for blind and visually impaired people of all ages and their families in the Greater New York Metropolitan Area.

VISIONS is an equal opportunity employer.  VISIONS Employees should report any equipment malfunction, repair needs or any broken items immediately.  At no time should there be any attempt to fix any item without written authorization and inclusion in the job description.

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E_mail: rcoellar@visionsvcb.org

Phone: 2012502518

Cert: CVRT