Rehabilitation Specialist

State of Missouri; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Missouri's Family Support Division, Rehabilitation Services for the Blind invites applications for a full-time Rehabilitation Specialist, Teacher for the Blind based in the Kansas City RSB Office. The role includes home-based teaching, braille instruction, and teaming with a rehabilitation counselor to support blind and visually impaired clients.

Graduation from a four-year college with specialization in orientation and mobility or related fields is required; proficiency in Braille

Qualifications

• Requires a four-year college or university degree with specialization in orientation and mobility or related fields.
• Must demonstrate proficiency in Braille and other adaptive skills within 1 year.
• Experience in rehabilitation services and working with blind/visually impaired individuals preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assess the impact of blindness on clients and plan compensatory strategies.
• Provide individual counseling to help acceptance and independence.
• Collaborate with rehabilitation team to deliver comprehensive services.
• Teach skills for daily living, homemaking, Braille and typing.
• Provide home-based instruction and assistive device training.
• Refer clients to eye care and medical services as needed.
• Maintain records and reports; manage equipment and training materials.
• Serve as case manager for Independent Living Rehabilitation and Older Blind clients.
• Evaluate diabetes-related needs for adaptive devices for blood sugar monitoring.

Skills

Counseling skills

Home visits

Case management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in orientation and mobility and related fields

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 is an equal opportunity employer.

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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