ON, Toronto, Specialist, Independent Living Skills

Do you want to work for a health care organization that changes people's lives? One that not only cares deeply about clients, but also values that its employees are its greatest asset.

Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada is a unique health services organization that serves people who are blind or partially sighted across the country. Our certified specialists provide training that empowers clients to develop or to restore activities of daily living skills, to promote their independence, to enhance safety and mobility. We work closely with ophthalmologists, optometrists and other health care professionals, by providing essential care on a referral basis in homes, workplaces and communities across the country.

We offer competitive salaries and benefits, flexible schedules, and opportunities to grow.

For more information about Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada, please visit visionlossrehab.ca or call 1-844-887-8572​.

Date: December 2, 2021

Job Title: Specialist, Independent Living Skills

Term: Full Time

Location: Toronto, ON

Salary: $25.85

Summary:

In covering a broad range of duties and responsibilities include providing instruction and guidance in compensatory independent living skills, and assistive technology, enabling individuals living with vision loss to independently carry out daily activities.  This position provides functional expertise for the comprehensive multi-faceted service and operations program within a matrix reporting structure. 

Essential Duties entail (but not limited to):

  • Assesses the independent living needs and abilities of individuals.
  • With the individual, identifies and prioritizes goals, and develops an independent living plan.
  • Teaches adaptive skills for independent living in areas of personal management, household management, communication, leisure activities, basic indoor orientation & mobility skills, and basic technology training 
  • Assists individuals in the acquisition and use of assistive devices.
  • Promotes self-advocacy skills for individuals living with vision loss to access community programs and resources (i.e. leisure programs, acquisition of adaptive equipment, etc.).
  • Maintains all case data and documentation consistent with Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada Systems and Procedures.
  • Provides consultation, public education, and in-service training.
  • Performs administrative duties including, but not limited to service tracking, benchmarking, report writing, etc.
  • Maintaining, facilitating, and conducting group sessions and presentations.
  • Promotes awareness of cultural diversity and multiculturalism while helping to build bridges of understanding between individuals and community groups

Relationships

  • Liaises and builds relationships with community-based   rehabilitation teams, agencies, schools, partners, health practitioners and stakeholders.
  • Provides support and consultation to individuals and their families re adjustment to vision loss.
  • Attends and participates in multi-disciplinary team meetings.
  • Promotes an understanding and awareness of vision health related issues through consultation, public education, and in-service training.
  • Assists with the training, placement and supervision of volunteers and students.

Problem Solving/Time Frame of Impact

    • Provide timely delivery of services to ensure people living with vision loss acquire skills and assistive technology to remain/regain independence.
    • Ability to creatively and quickly problem solve to respond to unique individual needs.

Decision Autonomy

  • Utilizes standard procedures and processes to implement each individual’s unique independent living plan.
  • Utilizes judgment when determining if the individual requires a referral to another CNIB service or external services.

Leadership

    • Takes initiative to keep abreast of knowledge in the expertise of vision rehabilitation/independent living skills
    • Facilitate and enhance team efforts on a professional level and share specialized knowledge, sources, experience, concepts, and skills.
    • Provides leadership to community groups and partners by educating, advocating and promoting awareness about vision loss.
    • Provides leadership in training and coaching volunteers, students and staff.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

  • Knowledge and experience working with individuals with vision loss an asset.
  • Knowledge and experience working with adaptive technology.
  • Demonstrated individual centred approach and commitment.
  • Mature and professional attitude
  • Knowledgeable about disabilities and all life stages (children to seniors)
  • Well-developed interpersonal and communications skills.
  • Decision-making and problem-solving ability
  • Self-directed, organized and detail oriented.
  • Ability to travel within the province to deliver community-based services.
  • Will use good judgment, professionalism, strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative style, High integrity, tact, a positive attitude.
  • demonstrates commitment to equity diversity and inclusion.

Experience and Education

  • Graduate of the Instructor for Blind and Visually Impaired Program (Mohawk College); or Diploma in Specialized Studies, O&M and Vision Rehabilitation (University of Montreal) an asset.
  • Eligible for Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada ILS training. 
  • Undergraduate degree or equivalent.
  • Eligible for ACVREP Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (CVRT) certification.
  • Good command of relevant computer applications
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Experience running and facilitating groups an asset.
  • French language an asset
  • Knowledge and experience in understanding of the unique relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations and service delivery strategies that respect cultural diversity an asset.

Apply Now!

If this sounds like the role for you, apply now to sue.marsh-woods@vlrehab.ca.
Be sure to include a resume, cover letter, and mention how you heard about this opportunity

VLRC is committed to creating and fostering an inclusive culture and welcomes applications from diverse candidates, including but not limited to Indigenous peoples, women, candidates with disabilities, and candidates of colour. We strongly encourage applications from applicants with sight loss. Direct lived experience would be a definite asset. We're excited to review your application

Please note that the successful candidate will be required to pass a standard Criminal Record Check.

We thank all applicants for their interest in VLRC, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted

Closing Date for Applications: December 9, 2021.