Vision Rehabilitation Therapist

About the role

Are you searching for a professional opportunity to help people achieve optimal personal and social adjustment to blindness that leads to self-sufficiency? Become a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist with our Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services, Pittsburgh District Office. As part of our team, you will provide rehabilitation therapy for persons who are blind or visually impaired to enhance their vocational opportunities, independent living, and educational development. Step into a job where your efforts help transform futures every day.

This position focuses on teaching coping skills and adaptive techniques to customers who are blind and visually impaired. It works directly with individuals, collaborates other professionals, and connects with community programs to promote optimal personal and social adjustment leading to self-sufficiency and independent living. As a Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, you will perform the following duties:

• Assessment Work: Interview, evaluate, and observe customers to identify their current needs
• Care Planning: Develop an individualized plan of instruction with customer participation that outlines goals, activities, and equipment needed
• Skill Instruction: Teach skills and techniques that help customers be self-sufficient, live independently, and stay connected to their communities
• Progress Monitoring: Evaluate achievements and adjust objectives when needed to maximize learning benefits for each customer
• Record Keeping: Write case narratives and record statistical data of case details, plans, and progress
• Community Support: Provide consultation and training for staff of community programs and facilities to promote positive attitudes and understanding

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full time employment, 37.5 hours per week, Monday - Friday
• Work hours are negotiable within a 7.5 hour work day, with a 30- or 60-minute lunch, depending on selected work hours.
• The position is eligible for Alternate Work Schedules (AWS).
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, after completion of the 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. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time. Additional details may be provided during the interview.
• Worksite Address: The address is: 531 Penn Ave Pittsburgh PA 15222. However, headquarters location may be flexible depending on the selected candidate.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $60,538 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

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 or certificate.

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.

How to Apply

• 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. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

Additional information

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.

• 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.
• you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.