Job Description

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 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, Transition and Employment

Location: Bathurst, NB

Term: Full-time, Permanent

Reports To: Provincial Manager, Healthcare Operations

Date: 8th February, 2024

I. Scope and Summary of Primary Responsibilities

In covering a broad range of duties, the emphasis of this position is on the provision of specialized transition and vocational services for individuals with vision loss. This position works alongside clients with a vision loss providing assessment, planning, coordination, training and coaching services and requires the development and sustaining of relationships with partner organizations. With an emphasis on job readiness and independence training, assistive technology, duties and activities are performed as directed, consistent with VLRC and the AvenueNB agreement.

II. Essential Functions

The position entails, but is not limited to the following general responsibilities:

Assessment and Planning

• Conduct the best practice intake, assessment, navigation and service delivery processes for clients aged 15 years and older that will result in engagement with vision loss rehabilitation services and a client action plan for job readiness and related independence.

• Develop and coordinate individual plans with clients to outline what is required and timeframes. Where appropriate, work with other organizations in the community to support clients in their aspirations.

• Facilitate opportunities for clients to develop vision related skills for daily living, social, vocational, participation in the community and other casework as determined on a case-by-case basis.

• Coordinate services and referrals to Vision Loss Rehabilitation services as needed, ensuring client action plans are completed, reviewed, and revised in a timely fashion.

• Assess and recommend vision related assistive technology services as requested.

Service Delivery and Support

• Provide one on one or group based direct services in designated area using face to face or virtual delivery format as mutually agreed with the client.

• Be the central point of contact and the key resource to clients, caregivers, and families in accessing transition and vocational services.

• Co-ordinate transition and vocational services to ensure clients have the right type of support to enable them to learn, gain and remain at work and live effectively in their chosen environments.

• Provide assistive technology solutions to enable clients to achieve employment goals.

• Meet with external partners and work collaboratively towards a consistent cross sector approach to transition and vocational services with a vision loss.

• Coordinate with outside resources to enhance services for the client providing opportunities for community integration, job shadowing, job readiness, job coaching and work experiences.

• Coordinate services in conjunction with the goals of the transition students\xe2\x80\x99 Individualized Education Program (IEP) plans (via school).

• Coordinate and implement or participate in extended day, overnight and residential or online activities to best enhance the services for clients, as resources allow.

• Contribute to funding reports and, in collaboration with VLR Management team, ensure services provided meet funding requirements and client needs.

• Promote an understanding and awareness of vision loss related concerns through consultation, public education, and in-service training.

Other Essential Duties

• Attend professional seminars, conferences and workshops as required by the position.

• Undertake specific projects and activities as necessary or as required to support Vision Loss Rehabilitation transition, and vocational priorities.

• Ensure that the Health and Safety Policies are upheld, and requirements are met.

• Meet VLR performance expectations, employee requirements and standards in day-to-day work activities.

• Works to VLR and legislative requirements, committing to minimizing risks.

• Perform any other duties as required.

Documentation and Reporting

• Ensure client data is up to date and data is appropriately entered in accordance with Vision Loss Rehabilitation guidelines and funder requirements.

• Provide reports and updates to Vision Loss Rehabilitation management as requested.

• Participate in Performance Development System.

Professional Development

• Work within the parameters of transition, and employment service agreements; committing to sight-loss specific training within the areas of focus.

• Participate in continued education related to organizations priorities, client needs and specialty.

• Takes responsibility for own learning striving for excellence in the quality of practice.

• Provides safe, ethical and effective practice and maintains a high standard of professionalism.

Relationships

Key Internal Relationships:

• Provincial Manager, Vision Loss Rehabilitation
• Employment and transition staff
• Vision Loss Rehabilitation Staff

Key External Relationships:

• Clients
• Parents or caregivers, families
• Community based service providers
• Educators and post-secondary institutions
• Employers
• AvenueNB partners
• Professional associations
• Case Managers; provincial disability programs and services

• Develop and maintain networks and relationships with partners and refer clients when appropriate.

• Keep partner agencies up to date on client progress as clients move towards desired outcomes.

• Provide on-going pro-active support to partner organizations and employers as per funding agreements.

• Promotes equity, cultural safety and inclusion.

• Provides support and leadership to students, volunteers and colleagues as requested.

Requirements

III. Qualifications

Knowledge and Skill requirements

• Bilingual (French-English).

• Strong interpersonal skills including the ability to listen effectively and communicate with people on many and varied levels.

• Excellent written communication skills.

• Demonstrated coaching and training skills.

• Professional maturity and judgment.

• Detailed orientated with excellent planning and organization skills.

• Strong networking and relationship building skills.

• Effective negotiation, advocacy and mediation skills.

• Ability to problem solve effectively and take initiative.

• Understanding of strength-based approach.

• Possess high level of honesty and confidentiality.

Experience and Education

• Bachelors degree or post secondary qualification in teaching, social work, rehabilitation or other related human service field.

• Experience working in a community-based setting; establishing and building strong relationships with colleagues, partners and community preferred.

• Background in providing transition, pre-employment and or employment support for persons with a disability preferred.

• Experience in service delivery within the disability sector, health or rehabilitation preferred.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office environment and in utilizing a client information management system.

• Experience / knowledge in working with adaptive technology or a willingness to train preferred.

Work Environment

• Services will be provided in Vision Loss Rehabilitation New Brunswick Centers, individual homes, workplaces and/or in the community.

• Able to work autonomously with minimum assistance in areas of proven competence and to multi-task under pressure with close attention to detail and accuracy.

• Able to work flexible hours to meet client needs when required.

• Able to travel, including overnight stays will be required.

Benefits

Apply Now!

If this sounds like the role for you, apply now to

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 workplace and we are committed to a fair, transparent, and accessible recruitment process. We strongly encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including but not limited to Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, people who are blind, partially sighted, or deafblind, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.We strongly encourage applications from applicants with sight loss. Direct lived experience would be a definite asset.

VLRC is committed to accommodating applicants with disabilities and will work with applicants requesting accommodations at any stage of the hiring process. Please note that the successful candidate will be required to pass a standard Vulnerable Sector Check.

Not sure if you qualify? Think about applying anyway!
We understand that not everyone brings 100% of the skills and experience for the role. If you possess similar experience to what we\xe2\x80\x99ve listed above, we encourage you to apply. We believe that diverse experience, transferable skills, and passion are key!

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

Closing Date for Applications: March 7, 2024

Vision Loss Rehabilitation