Rehabilitation Teacher - Boston, United States - State of Massachusetts

Description

The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) is seeking a dynamic individual to develop and implement individualized teaching materials and methods for consumers of all ages who are legally blind.

The Rehabilitation Teacher assesses the impact that significant vision loss has on individuals who are legally blind, assesses consumers' needs, and takes steps to assist them in compensating for vision loss.

The Rehabilitation Teacher travels three days per week throughout assigned areas in the Northeastern region of the state to provide services to consumers in their homes, job locations, and other settings as needed.

To be successful in this role, our applicant must have the ability to teach consumers non-visual skills, train consumers with visual enhancement devices and strategies, and possess the ability to learn and apply state, federal and agency guidelines to properly teach consumers.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Provide direct consumer teaching and training as specified in consumers' individualized service plans.

Areas of adaptation and teaching will include but are not limited to:

adapting activities of daily living (ADL), home management, meal planning and preparation, leisure time activities communication skills, low vision utilization, braille, job readiness skills and the use of adaptive technology.

• Provide information and referral services, evaluate consumers' needs and abilities in specific skill areas, and consult with family members, outside agencies including schools, adult day programs, home health providers, nursing homes/skilled nursing facilities and work programs on behalf of consumers in conjunction with skill planning.
• Collaborate and communicate with the assigned case manager and other discipline-specific staff as a member of the rehabilitation team to provide comprehensive Rehabilitation Teaching services to consumers.
• Facilitate integration of consumers into a variety of community program settings, and provides community education and in-service training for organizations, agencies and facilities working with individuals who are blind.
• Complete case documentation, perform electronic consumer tracking functions and maintain case files in accordance with agency policies and procedures.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the principles, techniques and methods of vision rehabilitation therapy/rehabilitation teaching including adaptive- technology.
• Ability to communicate effectively with professionals.
• Ability to communicate effectively with and provide supportive instruction to consumers and their families/support network.
• Knowledge of the psychological, social, educational and health issues facing individuals who are blind.
• Capacity to learn and apply agency policies and procedures including fiscal guidelines for purchasing goods and services for consumers.
• Talent for serving diverse populations and familiarity with secondary disabilities in addition to blindness.
• Ability to acquire an objective understanding of the physical limitations and aspects of blindness in order to establish a productive, trustworthy and working relationship with consumers.
• Ability to write professional reports.
• Experience with working with individuals with physical disabilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Word and Outlook.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of government and community agencies responsible for providing benefits and services to individuals with blindness.
• Ability to handle confidential information with an understanding of diversity and the importance of fostering an open and respectful work environment.
• Experience in using electronic case management or similar client information systems.
• Knowledge and understanding of eye diseases and their impact on functional outcomes.

About the Commission for the Blind:

The Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB) is the point of entry for vocational and social rehabilitation services for residents of the Commonwealth who are declared to be legally blind by an eye care professional.

Under a newly created category, MCB will expand service to qualifying individuals who have low vision with a progressive visual impairment, leading to legal blindness.

These services help individuals to work toward independence and full community participation.


Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired.

For more information, please visit

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions, please the contact the Office of Human Resources at and select option #4.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.


Minimum Entrance Requirements:

At least two years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional or paraprofessional experience in social work, social casework, vocational counseling, employment counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or educational counseling.

Substitutions:

• A Bachelor's or higher degree in rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation counseling, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, social work, psychology, human services, or counseling may be substituted for the required experience on the basis of two years of education for one year of experience.
• A Bachelor's or higher degree in a major other than rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation counseling, education of the physically or emotionally handicapped, education of the multiple handicapped, education of the learning disabled, social work, psychology, human services, or counseling may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience on the basis of four years of education for one year of experience.
• Licensure as a Licensed Rehabilitation Counselor by the Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health Professionals or Certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification may be substituted for the required experience.

One year of education equals 30 semester hours. Education toward a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package.

We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.

Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.

We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.