Vision Rehabilitation Therapist

About the Role

As a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist with the Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services, you will help children and adults who are blind or visually impaired achieve greater independence. This role primarily supports customers in Philadelphia County and may also cover Bucks, Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery counties. Work offers daily opportunities to help people learn practical skills and build confidence in navigating their homes, workplaces, and communities. You will apply your training and creativity to help customers adjust, grow, and thrive!

Description of Work

This position focuses on teaching adaptive techniques and supporting personal adjustment for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. We will rely on your careful assessments, thoughtful planning, and teamwork with customers and community partners.

Responsibilities

• Assess Customers: Interview and observe customers, collect and review additional information, and evaluate customer needs, motivation, and potential benefits of specific equipment and services
• Plan Services: Develop service plans and recommend adaptive equipment options that align with each person's individual goals and rehabilitation needs
• Provide Training: Teach individuals and groups how to use techniques, skills, and equipment that support safe and independent living
• Monitor Progress: Evaluate skill development and adjust service plans to ensure each customer receives the benefits they need
• Promote Community: Create cultural awareness and provide information, consultation, and training to community partners who support individuals with vision loss
• Complete Documentation: Maintain accurate electronic case files including assessments, plans, and progress notes

Work Schedule

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are typically 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch. This position's work hours are negotiable - 7.5 hour workday and lunch period is 30 minutes (or 60 minutes depending on work hours).
• This position may be eligible for Alternate Work Schedules (AWS).
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, after completion of probationary 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 Philadelphia. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.

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 three months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Other 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.

Examination Information

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions. Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or: your score may be lower than deserved, or you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.