Job Listing
Blind Rehabilitation Specialist - Orientation and Mobility Instructor
Veterans Health Administration · Posted today
On-sitePalo Alto, CA$92K – $145KApply by May 29, 2026General Health ScienceINTJINTPISFJISTJEducation
Apply for this job →About the Role
The Western Blind Rehabilitation Center (WBRC) is an inpatient facility located at the Palo Alto Division of the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). The WBRC provides support and services annually to visually impaired Veterans and active-duty Service members. The WBRC embraces an interdisciplinary approach to the treatment of visual impairment to ensure that program participants receive a full complement of services.
What You'll Do
- →An Orientation and Mobility Specialist (OMS) is a professional formally educated to evaluate and train visually impaired individuals to use their residual senses and adaptive devices to remain spatially oriented and travel safely and efficiently in various community environments.
- →Blind Rehabilitation Specialists are expected to obtain and maintain ACVREP Certified Orientation and Mobility certification.
- →OMS staff determine the appropriate mobility options for each visually impaired patient, including human guide, long cane, dog guide, Electronic Travel Aids, functional vision, Adaptive Mobility Devices, and orientation-enhancing technologies such as GPS.
- →The OMS utilizes evidence-based assessment and training methods that follow Preferred Practice Patterns and Orientation and Mobility Standard Operating Procedures to evaluate the functional capabilities and limitations of individuals with visual impairment in both clinical and real-world settings.
- →In addition to visual impairment, the OMS incorporates appropriate O&M methods into treatment plans for patients with multiple physical and cognitive impairments.
- →Major duties and responsibilities include, but not limited to: Assesses the patient to determine the extent of residual sensory function, the potential to benefit from training, and which prosthetic devices are indicated to meet individual patient needs.
- →Interprets assessment results and designs an individually tailored Orientation and Mobility (O&M) program to meet the patient's needs.
- →Serves as the provider responsible for issuing O&M-related prosthetic equipment.
- →Plans and instructs the patient in safety techniques and the proper use and maintenance of all O&M prosthetic devices.
- →Functions as a member of the allied rehabilitation treatment team.
- →Plans and instructs the patient's family member(s) or caregiver(s).
- →Provides team members with relevant information regarding O&M outcomes and explains device utilization to ensure integration of devices into other disciplines.
- →Serves as Patient Treatment Coordinator for assigned Veterans' overall blind rehabilitation experience and intervenes as needed.
- →Provides O&M outcome data for administrative analysis to ensure program effectiveness.
Requirements
- ✓You must be a U.S.
- ✓Citizen to apply for this job.
- ✓Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
- ✓Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
- ✓Subject to background/security investigation.
- ✓Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
- ✓Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents).
- ✓Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued dentification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
- ✓Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
- ✓Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
- ✓As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
- ✓In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service.
- ✓Upon completion of your trial period, your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.
- ✓Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S.
Personality Fit
Job ID: f8377f24-adcb-4826-951f-7a101a2d09c9
Posted via USAJobs