Rehabilitation Officer for People with Vision Impairment
Job title: Community Support Worker (ROVI)
Reports to: Regional Manager
Department: Directorate of Operations
Location: Home based with regional reach across the north west
Last updated: November 2017
Job purpose
To develop and deliver a range of visual rehabilitation interventions to beneficiaries of Blind Veterans UK, to be delivered in the community including in members’ homes.
Dimensions
1. Responsible for providing training to small groups of members, staff and volunteers, including awareness and guiding skills sessions, in a variety of settings.
Main accountabilities of the post
1. Provide comprehensive, needs-led assessments and devise and implement training interventions in the core areas of orientation and mobility, independent living skills, low vision and communications in order to maintain and develop members’ independence and quality of life.
2. Initiate new ways of working in the community in response to identified areas of need.
3. Establish and maintain networks of contacts with organisations and groups in local communities to help our members to access a wide range of training, support and social networks.
4. Maintain comprehensive records in accordance with Operational Service policies and practices and that all records are kept confidential and secure in order to comply with the Data Protection legislation.
5. To comply with safeguarding and risk management procedures to ensure that member’s safety and wellbeing are safeguarded in a timely and responsive manner.
6. Provide vision impairment awareness training for colleagues, volunteers and other organisations to ensure they have the relevant practical guiding skills and knowledge of vision impairment needed to carry out their roles.
7. Maintain up to date knowledge of developments in the field of vision impairment in order to be in the best position to provide advice and information to staff and members.
8. Ensure that members and other beneficiaries are treated consistently and equitably within the context of Blind Veterans UKs policies.
Additional responsibilities
1. Attend in-house and external training courses, as agreed with line manager.
2. Practise and comply with all aspects of Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Charity’s current Health and Safety policies.
3. Engage actively with our volunteers as appropriate and within the scope of the post.
4. Undertake any reasonable tasks from time to time at the line manager’s request, as may be deemed appropriate within the scope of the post.
Work context
1. The role is largely home based with regular face to face and telephone contact with members, Operational and Volunteer teams across the region and visits to our training centres.
2. This role involves a considerable amount of travel and overnight stays are required, as a consequence there will be times when there may be a need to work outside a standard working week.
3. The role requires occasional physical effort when moving equipment such as electronic magnifiers (CCTVs) around during home visits.
4. There is a significant amount of emotional effort involved in dealing with members who are adjusting to sight loss and who may have other disabilities and health problems.
Autonomy and decision making
1. The post is largely self-directed on a daily basis, with regular contact and support from the region team and the Community Services Team Leaders.
2. There is a degree of autonomy in the style in which assessments and interventions are conducted. Any equipment and in centre training recommendations made will be done in accordance with current processes.
Communications
Internal:
1. Members and other beneficiaries on a daily basis regarding Rehabilitation & Training input.
2. Regular contact with departments across Blind Veterans UK via telephone, Skype, e-mail and in person, in particular with the region welfare team, in order to provide a holistic service to members.
External:
3. Social Services local blind clubs and charities, voluntary and other allied organisations in order to provide a comprehensive service to members, to develop joint working and to raise awareness of Blind Veterans UK.
Main areas of difficulty
The main challenges facing the post are:
4. Working with a large number of members with diverse needs whilst ensuring a high quality service.
5. Balancing member expectations with organisation resources.
Additional information
This Job Description is a guide to the work the job holder is required to undertake. It may be changed from time to time to meet changing circumstances. It does not form part of the Contract of Employment.
Person Specification
Knowledge / · Up to date knowledge in the field of vision impairment / · Knowledge of relevant agencies and legislation
Skills / · Good communication skills including verbal, written and active listening skills
· Good organisational skills
· The ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and on own initiative
· Computer literate in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook
· Effective time management skills
· Practical problem solving skills
Qualifications / · Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE) in Rehabilitation Studies (VI), equivalent ROVI qualification
Experience / · Working with people with a vision impairment including undertaking ROVI assessments and training
· Developing and delivering services to vision impaired people in the local community. / · Working with elderly or disabled people
· Teaching IT using a range of access software
Personal qualities / · Ability to express empathy
· Flexibility
· Creativity
· Good team player, collaborative worker
· Confident and friendly
· Self motivated with drive and enthusiasm
· Resourceful and innovative
· Ability to travel extensively within the designated area