Rehabilitation Specialist

State-of-Missour; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

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Benefits package

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Job summary

State of Missouri seeks a Rehabilitation Specialist, Teacher for the Blind, based in the Kansas City area to deliver comprehensive services to blind and visually impaired individuals. The role involves direct home teaching, Braille instruction, counseling, and collaboration with mobility and rehabilitation staff.

The position requires a four-year degree in a related field and demonstrated Braille proficiency within a year.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in related areas such as orientation and mobility, rehabilitation counseling, education, social work, behavioral sciences, home economics or closely related fields.
• Proficiency in Braille and other blindness-related skills within 1 year as evidenced by a passing Braille test.
• Ability to teach blind and visually impaired clients and work with families and communities.

Responsibilities

• Assess the impact of vision loss and identify needed services for clients.
• Provide counseling to help clients accept loss of vision and stay engaged in family and community life.
• Collaborate with rehabilitation team to deliver comprehensive services.
• Teach daily living, homemaking, Braille, typing and communication skills.
• Provide home-based instruction to blind and visually impaired persons.
• Refer clients to eye care and other needed services; maintain records and reports.

Skills

Braille teaching

Counseling

Orientation & Mobility

Education

Orientation & Mobility

Job description

The Family Support Division (FSD), Rehabilitation Services for the Blind (RSB), is seeking candidates for a full-time position as a Rehabilitation Specialist, Teacher for the Blind. This position is based in the Jackson County/Kansas City RSB Office located at 615 E 13th St, 4th Floor, Kansas City MO.

• Makes assessments of the impact the loss of vision has on blinded persons, assesses needs of the client and takes steps to assist in compensating for the loss of vision.
• Provides counseling services to individual clients as necessary to help in realistically accepting the loss of vision and to assist the client in remaining a contributing member of the family and community.
• Participates with a rehabilitation counselor and mobility specialist as a member of the rehabilitation team to provide comprehensive services to clients.
• Provides direct teaching services to blind and visually impaired persons in their own homes.
• Interprets services available to blind and visually impaired persons and determines what services are needed and desired.
• Teaches skills necessary for daily living and homemaking activities.
• Teaches braille, typing, and other communication skills as needed.
• Gives limited travel instruction, with both sighted guide and cane, about the client's home and immediate surroundings.
• Teaches handicrafts for therapeutic purposes.
• Assists blind and visually impaired persons in obtaining and operating special aids and devices such as talking book machines, magnifying aids and homemaking aids.
• Works with the family and other persons in the community as indicated by the needs of the blind or visually impaired person.
• Refers persons in need of eye care, other medical care or special services to an appropriate provider.
• Works cooperatively with personnel in other agencies to enable the blind and visually impaired persons to achieve maximum services and independence.
• Keeps records and makes reports as required.
• Orders equipment and training aids necessary for effective client training and job performance.
• Serves as case manager for all Independent Living Rehabilitation clients and Older Blind services clients.
• Evaluates the need for and teaches blind clients diagnosed with diabetes in the use of adaptive devices to measure blood sugar and insulin.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with specialization in orientation and mobility, rehabilitation counseling, education, social work, behavioral sciences, home economics (with emphasis in home management) or closely related areas.. The individual must also be able to demonstrate proficiency in and teach Braille, alternative skills of blindness and basic orientation and mobility, within 1 year as evidenced by successfully completing and obtaining a passing score on a recognized Braille test evaluated by Rehabilitation Services for the Blind.

Individual(s) selected for this position may receive a higher rate based on a pay differential (e.g. shift, or time-of-service pay).

Recruitment Area: Accepting applications from all qualified applicants.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in yourpaycheck. To helpdemonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

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