An exciting opportunity for a full time, Vision Rehabilitation Specialist to join the Sensory Service Team at Inspire Community Trust. In this role, you will conduct assessments and provide rehabilitation services for adult service users who have a visual impairment or dual-sensory impairment and their families. You should have experience of assessing and teaching orientation and mobility skills, low vision skills, and independent living skills to people with significant sight loss.
As a Rehabilitation Specialist, you will play a crucial role in supporting individuals in their journey towards recovery and improved quality of life. This position requires a compassionate and dedicated individual who can effectively communicate and teach essential skills to clients
You must have a nationally recognised qualification in Rehabilitation Studies VI (Visual Impairment). Those currently undertaking a VI Rehabilitation Studies qualification and newly qualified Vision Rehabilitation Specialists are encouraged to apply.
· To manage a caseload of sight loss and dual sensory cases as allocated by the Development & Operations Manager.
· To assess function abilities relating to sight and dual sensory loss to develop rehabilitative solutions and person-centred plans
· To work jointly on complex cases with other members of the Sensory Support Service.
· To implement and assist in designing rehabilitation programmes
· To demonstrate and provide equipment when required
· To support users and carers with issues relating to sensory loss and disability and refer them to appropriate agencies/services when required
· To provide information to users about relevant resources
· To liaise with all other services and agencies involved with individual service users and participating in meetings as required
· To review service users needs.
· To use appropriate communication, reasoning and negotiation skills to establish a positive working relationship with service users with a diversity of needs, and manage potential barriers to communication.
· To maintain an up to date knowledge of eye conditions, their treatment and use knowledge of their impact on functional ability to complete a needs led assessment with people who have sight loss and dual sensory loss within their home environment. In particular, this must take account of the interaction between health, housing and social issues.
· To manage a caseload of service users, evidencing the ability to work autonomously and to evidence problem solving and reasoning skills.
· To effectively respond to critical and urgent referrals
· To work in partnership with service users and their carers to identify the most appropriate intervention resulting from assessment outcomes.
· To offer a Person Centred Plan to reflect rehabilitation, equipment and other support which balances risk, independence, and eligibility, while respecting diversity and cultural need.
· Arrange for the provision of equipment, and obtain authorisation from the Development & Operations Manager for non-standard equipment using professional judgement to need and suitability and cost effectiveness. Demonstrate and teach use of equipment and other techniques to optimise function and independence.
· To seek permission from the service user (or parent/guardian or carer when appropriate) to refer to other statutory, private and voluntary organisations to achieve best outcomes.
· To provide support to service users, carers and families with the psychological and emotional aspects of sight loss
· To devise, implement and review lesson plans and interventions for
· · Independent living skills including meal preparation, maintaining the home environment and managing personal care
· · Braille and other tactile communication
· · Orientation, mobility indoors, and outdoors, including assessment of pre-cane skills, competent use of a suitable mobility aid and use of electronic mobility devices.
· · Low vision therapy
· · Audio-visual and ICT communication techniques.
· To facilitate access to income maximisation, and support those registered as sight impaired or severely sight impaired to complete benefit forms, and with other processes involved in the benefit claim.
· To develop and maintain links with Ophthalmology, Optometry practices, ECLO services and GP practices. Ensure service users have comprehensive and equitable access to these services.
· To educate the local community, agencies and colleagues and staff from other teams in the needs and challenges of life with a sight loss by preparing formal and informal presentations.
· To identify unmet need and gaps in service provision and highlight these to the Development and Operations Manager.
· Support Rehabilitation Assistants with specialist casework advice.
This description is an indicative of the nature and level of responsibilities associated with the post. It is not exhaustive and the job holder will be required to undertake other duties and responsibilities as deemed appropriate.
Personal Attributes – Qualifications and Skills
You must have a nationally recognised qualification in Rehabilitation Studies VI (Visual Impairment).
Actively participate in team meetings, supervision and PDR process.
To seek professional knowledge and skills in supporting people with a sight loss, so that evidence based practice is incorporated into professional practice. To participate in training courses, reflective practice, and the constructive use of supervision using reflection and analysis to ensure best practice.
Inspire is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff to share this commitment.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: From £40,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
Work Location: In person