Specialist, Orientation & Mobility

Overview

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 restore activities of daily living skills, to promote independence, and 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 for professional development and growth.

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

Position Title: Specialist, Orientation & Mobility

Location: Victoria, BC

Term: Full-time, Permanent

Reports To: Provincial Manager, Healthcare Operations

Salary: $64,000 annually plus certification premium for current ACVREP certification

Start Date: May 2025

Responsibilities and Scope

This position covers a broad range of duties and responsibilities including instructing individuals with vision loss on orientation and mobility to aid the acquisition of movement skills and the concept development of spatial orientation, and environmental analysis related to independent travel by individuals who are visually impaired.

• Conducts assessments and documents the O&M needs and personal goals of individuals with vision loss.
• With the individual, identifies and prioritizes goals and develops an orientation & mobility service plan.
• Teaches concept development, spatial and sensory awareness, pre-cane skills, cane techniques, and travel skills.
• Encourages and provides support in assertiveness/advocacy skills related to orientation and mobility.
• Provides information and lessons in the use of electronic travel aids.
• Provides tactile maps as required.
• Teaches sighted guide to family members and others.
• Acts as a resource for information regarding guide dog schools and prepares individuals to work with a guide dog; works with guide dog schools as required.
• Acts as a resource in matters related to accessible design and the built environment.
• Maintains all case data and documentation consistent with VLRC Systems and Procedures.
• Performs administrative duties including service tracking, benchmarking, report writing, and related tasks.
• Other duties as assigned.

Relationships

• Liaises and builds relationships with community-based rehabilitation teams, agencies, schools, partners 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 understanding and awareness of vision health 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 orientation & mobility lessons to ensure individuals with vision loss acquire travel skills to remain or regain independence.
• Ability to creatively and quickly problem solve to respond to unique individual needs.

Decision Autonomy

• Utilizes standard procedures and processes to work with individuals on developing an individual program to accommodate their unique needs.
• Determines if the individual requires referral to another VLRC service or external services.

Leadership

• Keeps abreast of new electronic travel aids and other advances/technologies and techniques in Orientation and Mobility.
• Maintains knowledge of guide dog schools and their programs.
• Provides leadership to community groups and partners by educating, advocating and promoting awareness about vision loss.
• Provides mentorship and supervision to apprentice staff, leadership in training and coaching volunteers, students and staff.
• Facilitates and enhances team efforts on a professional level and shares knowledge and skills.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge and experience working with individuals with vision loss.
• Knowledgeable about disabilities and all life stages (children to seniors).
• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills.
• Decision-making and problem-solving ability.
• Mature and professional attitude.
• Self-directed, organized and detail oriented.
• Demonstrated client-centered approach and commitment.
• Adherence to professional healthcare documentation, charting, and reporting.

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).
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent.
• ACVREP Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS) certification.
• Good command of relevant computer applications.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.

Work Environment

• Service will be provided in office centers, individual homes and/or the community.
• Willingness to work flexible hours.
• Travel will be required.

Apply

If this sounds like the role for you, apply now to the indicated email address: visionlossrehab.ca

Be sure to include a resume, cover letter, and mention how you heard about this opportunity.

VLRC is committed to creating an inclusive workplace and to a fair, transparent, and accessible recruitment process. We strongly encourage applications from groups historically underrepresented, including Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, people who are blind or partially sighted, or deafblind, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Direct lived experience would be an asset. We also accommodate applicants with disabilities and will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process. The successful candidate will be required to pass a standard Vulnerable Sector Check.

Closing Date for Applications: Until Filled