Employment

Vision Forward is recognized as the premier agency serving people of all ages with vision loss in Wisconsin.  We empower, educate, and enhance the lives of individuals impacted by vision loss through all of life’s transitions.  Our vision is that all individuals with vision loss have reached their full potential to lead active and independent lives.  

We currently have a career opportunities for part-time positions for Social Worker, Teacher for the Visually Impaired and an Orientation & Mobility Specialist.

Social Worker

Vision Forward currently has a career opportunity for a part-time (24-28 hours) Social Worker to work primarily with the adult population. The ideal candidate provides support and advocacy services for adults with vision impairments as well as parents, family members and caregivers. This person will ensure the agency is taking appropriate steps to meet the psycho-social needs of the individuals & families we serve and has the willingness to grow and develop professionally.

Responsibilities to fulfilling the Vision Forward mission:

• Promote the dignity of all people living with vision loss.
• Provide exceptional customer service.
• Maintain a positive, cohesive, transparent and family-friendly environment.

Core functions:

• Performs initial social work assessments for adult rehabilitation and low vision service participants.
• Conducts and recruits for support groups for adults impacted by vision loss to foster client connections, build coping skills and share resources. Clearly define a structure for these meetings and establishes and tracks progress towards identified goals.
• Completes necessary documentation & reports for the client’s record, utilizing the electronic medical record system as appropriate.
• Maintains current knowledge of resources available to individuals in Southeastern Wisconsin. Coordinates & provides referrals, individual counseling, and information on services such as support groups & other community resources.
• Actively participates & works in collaboration with the members of the multidisciplinary team that also includes vision occupation therapy, assistive technology, orientation & mobility, vision rehabilitation & optometry.
• Identifies and educates clients & family members about their diagnosis, functional implications, potential interventions, benefits of vision rehabilitation & other resources within & beyond the agency.
• Develops & implements training programs for staff regarding vision loss expertise & the psycho-social needs of individuals with vision loss. Educates the community about the emotional & psychological impact of vision loss.

Benefits:

• 24-28 hours per/week – Monday-Friday
• Holidays (off, but not paid) – New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial and Labor Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
• Dental and vision
• 401K
• Strong, experienced, supportive team

The perfect candidate will possess the following skills and qualifications:

• Requires a master’s degree in social work, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) preferred.
• Minimum of three years’ experience working with individuals with disabilities is strongly preferred.
• Strong self-motivation, innovative spirit and a desire to exceed client, team and organization expectations.
• Good computer skills and competence in Microsoft Office, Word, Outlook and Excel. Ability to use an electronic medical record system.
• Clear understanding of HIPAA, FERPA and privacy regulations.

Interested candidates should send resume and cover letter to: Lorena Pittman at lorena@hrsherpaz.com

Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Vision Forward, a cutting-edge non-profit organization, currently has a career opportunity for a part-time / PRN Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) to work primarily with the birth to six population. The ideal candidate is dedicated to assisting families of children with visual impairments to achieve their goals and has the willingness to grow and develop professionally.

Responsibilities to fulfilling the Vision Forward mission:

• Promote the dignity of all people living with vision loss.
• Provide exceptional customer service.

Core functions:

• Comfortable working with children ages birth to 21. Has knowledge of how specific ocular conditions and/or a cortical visual impairment can impact vision, development and independent functioning.
• Conducts comprehensive evaluations for children with ocular and/or cortical visual impairments in a child’s home/natural environment, school or at Vision Forward. Evaluations will assess the child’s current level of functional vision and the impact of his/her vision on development of skills in other domains. Evaluations for Cortical Visual Impairment will also include The CVI Range Assessment with an explanation of how the 10 characteristics of CVI affect the child’s visual functioning.
• Develops either an Individualized Family Service Plan or an Individualized Education Plan for each child in conjunction with the parents and child’s
• team that includes measurable goals. Monitors and documents child’s progress regarding established vision goals and overall developmental objectives.
• Identifies and establishes a plan for each child’s emerging literacy needs, including pre-braille, braille, or large print and/or the use of adaptive equipment.
• Conducts individualized vision education/braille sessions in the child’s home, school or Vision Forward Association in accordance with center policy and performance standards.
• Works collaboratively with professionals from other agencies, classroom teachers and physical, occupational, speech and music therapists, to meet each child’s individual needs.
• Acts as a resource to parents and other team members regarding each child’s visual function and appropriate interventions and adaptations.
• Supports the use of techniques that enable children to move about the environment independently in consultation with the Orientation and Mobility Instructor.
• Identifies appropriate toys, supplies, equipment and other materials that can be used with the child to ensure the child’s vision needs are met and to aid families in providing appropriate activities and/or materials for their child.
• Completes timely documentation for each child at the point of service that reflects the child’s progress towards his/her individual goals and objectives in the electronic medical records system.

Benefits:

• 20 hours per/week – Monday-Friday
• Holidays (off, but not paid) – New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial and Labor Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
• Dental and vision
• 401K
• Company provided cell phone and laptop
• Strong, experienced, supportive team

The perfect candidate will possess the following skills and qualifications:

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Education, from a four-year college or university, with specialization as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired. Specialization in Orientation and Mobility is a plus.
• Maintains a current DPI license and certification.
• A valid Wisconsin Driver’s License, proof of insurance and use of a personal automobile is required.
• Ability to effectively communicate with children, parents, professionals and other employees of Vision Forward. Desire to develop relationships with outside partners and referral sources.
• Experience and comfort serving children and families with diverse backgrounds.
• Good computer skills and competent in Microsoft Office, Word, Outlook and Excel. Ability to use an electronic medical record system.
• Clear understanding of HIPAA, FERPA and privacy regulations.
• Desire to complete continuing education to build skill set.

Interested candidates should send resume and cover letter to: Lorena Pittman at lorena@hrsherpaz.com

Orientation & Mobility Specialist

This position will provide assessment and training to a wide range of clients with visual impairment, and will be responsible for appropriate documentation. This person will participate as a member of a multidisciplinary team that includes technology instruction, occupational therapy, support and optometry.

Responsibilities to fulfilling the Vision Forward mission:

• Promote the dignity of all people living with vision loss.
• Provide exceptional customer service.
• Maintain a positive, cohesive, transparent, and family-friendly environment.

Core functions:

• Assesses clients’ orientation and mobility skills. Working with the client establishes specific and appropriate goals and plans for attaining goals. Recommends appropriate equipment and training for meeting those goals.
• Provides orientation and mobility training in various environments focused on assisting the clients in achieving their goals. Monitors client progress toward goals and adjusts training as needed.
• Works with all Vision Forward staff in the development of innovative programs for adults, youth, and children that foster independent travel skills and motivates clients to use them.
• Educates clients and family members about their particular diagnosis, functional implications, potential interventions, benefits of vision rehabilitation, and other resources within and beyond Vision Forward.
• Completes documentation, billing, and other reporting in a timely and accurate manner. Provides appropriate correspondence for referral sources, like eye care professionals and DVR. Maintains up-to-date and accurate records. Completes accurate entries into electronic medical record. Maintains assigned daily, monthly, and annual reports.
• Actively work and participate in collaboration with members of the Adult Rehabilitation Services team. Makes appropriate cross referrals. Actively participates in team meetings and activities.
• Serves as a resource for clients, families, team members, professionals, and the general community in orientation and mobility. Presents information to groups, participates in health fairs, and markets to referral sources.
• Stays current in practices related to orientation and mobility, medical aspects of vision loss, and devices available for people with vision loss.

The perfect candidate will possess the following skills and qualifications:

• Bachelor or master’s degree in Orientation and Mobility, Rehabilitation Teaching / Vision Rehabilitation Therapy, or related field.
• Certification through ACVREP with COMS.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.
• An outcome and client focused approach to service delivery.
• Strong self-motivation, an innovative spirit and a desire to exceed expectations of clients, colleagues, and the organization.
• Must always represent Vision Forward in a professional, respectful and courteous manner.
• Experience with assistive technology instruction including screen readers, screen magnification, Braille displays, computer keyboarding, and smart phones/tablets. Certification as a CATIS, or interest in obtaining is preferred.
• Experience with Braille instruction for children or adults. Certification as a TVI preferred.
• Experience and comfort serving children and families with diverse backgrounds.
• Good computer skills and competence in Microsoft Office, Word, Outlook, and Excel. Ability to use an electronic medical record system.
• Clear understanding of HIPAA, FERPA and privacy regulations.
• A valid Wisconsin Driver’s License, proof of insurance and use of a personal automobile is required.

Benefits:

• Paid Time Off – Three weeks and will negotiate additional paid time off based on experience and tenure
• Holidays – New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Memorial and Labor Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, and the Friday after, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Company paid life insurance
• Company paid short and long term disability
• 401K
• Company provided cell phone and laptop
• Strong, experienced, supportive team

Interested candidates should send resume and cover letter to: Lorena Pittman at lorena@hrsherpaz.com