Vision Rehabilitation Therapist

Position Description

This position provides individualized instruction that helps customers adjust to blindness and develop skills for independent living. Work involves supporting personal growth through training, counseling, and careful planning of services.

Responsibilities

• Skill Instruction: Teach coping methods and adaptive techniques that build confidence and independence
• Assessment Process: Evaluate customer needs by collecting information, observing abilities, and developing instruction plans
• Progress Monitoring: Review achievements and adjust plans to ensure customers benefit from training
• Family Support: Provide counseling and guidance to customers and families to encourage learning and adjustment
• Record Updates: Document plans, progress, and closure reports to maintain accurate customer records
• Community Guidance: Offer consultation and training to local programs to support positive views of individuals with vision loss

Work Schedule

• Full-time employment, 7.5 hour work day
• Work hours are negotiable, Monday - Friday, with a 30 or 60-minute lunch depending on selected work hours. AWS (alternate work schedule) may be available.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time after completion of training period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Pittsburgh. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.

Pay

Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $60,538.00 (before taxes).

Qualifications

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Successful completion of the commonwealth's Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Intern program (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• A bachelor's or master's degree or certificate from an approved college or university program in rehabilitation teaching of the blind or visually impaired, vision rehabilitation therapy, teacher of the visually impaired, or education with a concentration in visual impairment, that includes a practicum; or
• Possession of an active Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist certificate issued by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals (ACVREP).

Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Additional Requirements

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements

This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law. Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

Application Information

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted.

Veterans Preference

Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S.7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Accommodations

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals). If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.