| Post Code: D717 | |
| Announcement Number: LEBL0901 | |
| Classification Number: C2333 | |
| Open: 06/23/2009 | |
| Close: 07/10/2009 | |
| Location: Medford | |
| Availability: Full Time | |
GENERAL INFORMATION The Oregon Commission for the Blind has one regular, full-time job opening for an Orientation & Mobility Specialist. This is a limited duration 24 month itinerant full time position serving clients from the Medford field office. Applicants may be subject to both a Computerized Criminal History and Driver and Motor Vehicle Services check as well as a thorough background investigation. Adverse background data may be grounds for immediate disqualification. TO QUALIFY Your PD100 application form will be reviewed to verify that you meet the requirements stated in this section. To receive credit, your application form must clearly show that you have: a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Teaching for the Blind, Special Education for the Visually-Impaired or Orientation and Mobility; OR a Bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Teaching for the Blind or Special Education for the Visually-Impaired, and one year of experience; OR a Master's degree in Education or a Social or Behavioral Science and two years of experience; OR a Bachelor's degree in Education, or a Social or Behavioral Science and two years of experience; OR an equivalent combination of training and experience. The successful applicant must be proficient in performing assessments and developing goals and objectives to meet the clients’ O&M and rehabilitation needs DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The purpose of this position is to provide blind individuals with orientation and mobility instruction, communication skills, techniques of daily living, and adjustment to blindness counseling, as needed with in the Older Blind and VR programs. the employee will maintain client and staff confidentiality. the employee will protect the security of agency property. ASSESSMENT: Reviews medical, psychological, audiological, and opthalmological reports to learn the extent of visual and secondary disabilities. Assesses physical ability, learning ability, tactual perception, memory, conceptual development, attitude, and motivation to develop teaching strategy. Helps clients identify goals for instruction, (e.g. personal, daily living, leisure, communication, travel.) Assesses client’s existing abilities in using their vision, traveling, participating in leisure activities, accomplishing daily living tasks, and accessing written information. Assesses how clients function within their personal, social, and employment situations. Designs and administers an individualized learning program based on the assessment results and identifies techniques and equipment needed to achieve the client’s goals. Recommends equipment or additional training needs to the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC), continually assess whether training program is meeting clients’ goals and revise as needed. DIRECT INSTRUCTION: Delivers specialized rehabilitation instruction on adaptive skills for employment and independent living. Administers and interprets low vision assessments for near and far distance. Develops and teachs visual efficiency. Depend on appropriate types of optical aids (e.g. magnifiers, monoculars, closed circuit TV) and teaches the use of optical and non-optical aids (vision, white cane, writing aids) to enhance vision and improve mobility. Identifies factors affecting physical safety in the home and recommend adaptive techniques for personal care, eating, clothing maintenance, health care, medication and secondary disability management, bill paying, record keeping, money management, shopping, cooking, cleaning. Teaches techniques to access and record written information including the use of magnifiers, large print, alternative tactile alphabets, Braille, electronic digital devices. Teaches orientation and mobility including fitting a white cane, cane handling, sighted guide technique, and spatial concept development in situations such as indoor or outdoor residential, commercial, downtown, rural and night travel. Teaches the use of public, private, and alternative methods of transportation, orientation to surroundings, traffic interpretation, and problem solving to travel independently in familiar and unfamiliar setting in a safe and efficient manner. Counsels clients to help them make a positive psychological adjustment to vision loss. Demonstrates techniques for clients to express their fears and concerns, facilitates techniques for dealing with the anxieties and prejudices with client’s individual support system and the general public. CASE MANAGEMENT: Delivers specialized rehabilitation instruction on adaptive skills for employment and independent living. Interviews prospective clients and assess functional limitations. Determines eligibility for programs. Meets with clients to develop an individualized training plan. Maintains records of client’s progress. Writes monthly progress reports, updates status changes and closes cases when completed. Attends staffings and evaluates client’s progress toward goals and objectives. Provides client with information on available vendors, and procure equipment according to agency, state, and federal policy. Coordinates services with other instructors, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors outside professionals, volunteers, and family members to meet client’s goals. Provides information on community resources to help clients integrate into their home community. EDUCATION/TRAINING: Presents in-service training, educational lectures, and demonstrations at hospitals, schools, health care facilities, government agencies, and other service organizations. Consults with medical providers, city, county, and state governmental agencies, providing specific information about laws, techniques, and adaptive systems available to modify environments for vision loss. Organizes seminars for clients and their families to address psychological impact of vision loss. Trains, mentors, and supervises student and interns new to the profession. Represents agency at public information activities to promote awareness of agency services and the capabilities of blind people. Participates in seminars and recreational programs. MISCELLANEOUS: Keeps required case file documentation and prepares monthly reports. Maintains educational materials and teaching supplies, including ordering, inventorying, and accounting for sales. Develops and uses community resources to expand and strengthen services to clients. Represents the agency and clients to the community, public, and private agencies by serving on boards or committees, attending conferences and community events. WORKING CONITIONS A person assuming this position must be prepared to serve a territory that includes Jackson County and portions of adjacent counties. Some overnight travel may be needed. HOW TO APPLY COMPLETE a State of Oregon Employment application (form PD100) and a cover letter that addresses how your experience and/or education prepares you for the duties of this position. Copies of applications, and job announcements can be obtained from: a. the State's Jobs Page at: http://www.oregonjobs.org/ b. local Oregon Employment Department field offices, or c. most state agency personnel offices. If you have a disability and need an alternate format in order to complete the employment process, you may call Recruitment Services at (503) 378-2130 or TTY (503) 378-4672 for the hearing impaired. Please be prepared to leave a message describing the alternate format needed. SEND completed application materials to: Oregon Commission for the Blind Recruitment Services Unit 535 SE 12th Ave. Portland, OR 97214 You may E-mail your application to Recruitment.OCB@state.or.us or FAX your application materials to (971)673-1577. Your application materials must be received by the close date and must be complete and legible. We are unable to acknowledge or verify receipt of applications due to the large volume. NOTICE of results will be sent by mail. Although agencies are not required to delay their selection process, you may request a review of the results. Your request must be received within 10 days from the date of the notice. Additional information cannot be accepted. However, if your application was not accepted and if the recruitment is still open, you may submit a new application as long as it's received in our office by the close date. SUBMIT only the required materials. Reference letters or work examples should be kept for interviews. KEEP a copy of your application for job interviews. COPIES ARE NOT PROVIDED. The pay on all announcements may change without notice. | |
