Lead Vision Rehabilitation Specialist

NHS; Trowbridge; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider is seeking a passionate Lead Vision Rehabilitation Specialist to join their Hearing & Vision Team in Trowbridge. This role involves leading a dedicated team to support visually impaired adults through assessments and personalized rehabilitation programs. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in rehabilitation, excellent leadership skills, and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of individuals with sensory loss.

Qualifications

• Recognised qualification in vision rehabilitation required.
• At least 4 years of experience working with visually impaired individuals.
• Strong knowledge of relevant legislation and effective communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team delivering specialist assessments and rehabilitation programmes.
• Supervise staff and manage complex cases.
• Engage in service development and professional training initiatives.

Skills

Communication

Empathetic listening

Time management

Leadership

Education

Degree in relevant profession

Diploma in Rehabilitation Studies in Visual Impairment

ITQ Level 2 or equivalent ICT skills

Job description

Are you ready to lead a service that truly changes lives? We're looking for a passionate and experienced Lead Vision Rehabilitation Specialist to join our Hearing & Vision Team.

Main duties of the job

Note: WE ARE CURRENTLY UNABLE TO ACCEPT APPLICATIONS VIA NHS. TO CONTINUE WITH YOUR APPLICATION, PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING LINK TO OUR CAREERS SITE.

This role supports adults across Wiltshire who are blind or partially sighted. You will lead a team of dedicated professionals, delivering specialist assessments and personalised rehabilitation programmes that help people live independently and safely in their own homes and communities.

You will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the service, supervising staff, managing complex cases, and working closely with partners across health, social care, and the voluntary sector. You will also play a key role in safeguarding, service development, and shaping how we support people with sight loss across the county.

We're seeking someone with a recognised qualification in vision rehabilitation, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by people with sensory loss. You will be based in County Hall, Trowbridge, but work flexibly across our hubs in Chippenham, Devizes, and Salisbury, with some home working and travel beyond Wiltshire.

If you're committed to inclusion, independence, and making a real difference, we'd love to hear from you.

About us

Wiltshire Council is a friendly, welcoming place to work, with a 'One Council' ethos. That's why we focus on getting the things that matter to our people right.

Job responsibilities

Specific duties and responsibilities include:

1. Undertake regular and effective supervision and appraisal of the ROVIs in the team in accordance with the supervision and appraisal policy.
2. Oversee the day-to-day running of this service area.
3. Deputise responsibilities across the whole team in the absence of the Team Manager.
4. Monitor the quality and quantity of the work of the ROVIs in the team, and others as required.
5. Assess eligibility for registrations where appropriate.
6. Provide advice, guidance, and support to colleagues to ensure customer and team outcomes are met.
7. Provide expert advice and support around complex issues, including managing complaints from customers, carers, elected members, and partners, which may result in recommendations for service delivery improvements.
8. Convene and chair multi-agency meetings related to customers with complex needs or contentious situations.
9. Be responsible for professional advice, assessments, or referrals, ensuring interventions are timely and cost-effective.
10. Oversee incoming work and the waiting list, allocating work and escalating risks to the Team Manager.
11. Oversee the CVI registration process.
12. Plan, coordinate, and deliver training activities to support knowledge sharing internally and externally.
13. Meet performance standards and provide regular reports to the Team Manager about performance.
14. Work jointly with professionals to build positive working relationships for effective joint working.
15. Support service development initiatives to enhance service provision.
16. Engage in Continuing Professional Development, including attendance at vision networks.
17. Develop and build relationships with relevant services and organisations.
18. Design and implement complex rehabilitation programs to promote independence and reduce risk, including training and equipment provision.
19. Maintain lifelong learning regarding equipment and services.
20. Be aware of specialist equipment beneficial for clients with specific needs.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Degree in relevant profession or equivalent experience/skills.
• Required license, certificate, or qualification for the role.
• ITQ Level 2 or equivalent ICT skills, demonstrating significant experience in IT systems.

Experience

• Diploma in Rehabilitation Studies in Visual Impairment or equivalent (required for mobility training).
• At least 4 years of experience working with this customer group.
• Recognition of disabled people's rights to inclusion and social valuation.
• Expert understanding of relevant legislation, including Valuing People and the Care Act 2014.
• Proven ability to carry out low vision assessments, including complex cases.
• Excellent knowledge of specialist equipment.
• Training in daily living skills and complex daily living skills.
• Ability to train clients with various eye conditions in outdoor mobility, orientation, mental mapping, and cane skills.
• Ability to build professional relationships.
• Excellent communication skills, including media braille, tape, large print, Moon, and clear speech.
• Familiarity with care management.
• Knowledge of Deafblind manual.
• Effective time management skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Specialist knowledge of eye conditions.
• Empathetic listening skills tailored to individual needs.
• Experience with Liquid Logic.
• Experience supervising staff.
• Experience managing and reporting data to review and improve performance.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975. A disclosure check will be required to ensure suitability for the role.