Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists

Also called: Certified Low Vision Therapist, Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist, Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS), Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist, Global Mobility Specialist

Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists

Varies

estimated salary

Low vision therapists, orientation and mobility specialists, and vision rehabilitation therapists provide therapy to patients with visual impairments to improve their functioning in daily life activities. May train patients in activities such as computer use, communication skills, or home management skills.

  • Teach cane skills, including cane use with a guide, diagonal techniques, and two-point touches.
  • Train clients to use tactile, auditory, kinesthetic, olfactory, and proprioceptive information.
  • Assess clients' functioning in areas such as vision, orientation and mobility skills, social and emotional issues, cognition, physical abilities, and personal goals.
  • Teach clients to travel independently, using a variety of actual or simulated travel situations or exercises.
  • Monitor clients' progress to determine whether changes in rehabilitation plans are needed.
  • Develop rehabilitation or instructional plans collaboratively with clients, based on results of assessments, needs, and goals.
  • Recommend appropriate mobility devices or systems, such as human guides, dog guides, long canes, electronic travel aids (ETAs), and other adaptive mobility devices (AMDs).
  • Train clients with visual impairments to use mobility devices or systems, such as human guides, dog guides, electronic travel aids (ETAs), and other adaptive mobility devices (AMDs).
  • Collaborate with specialists, such as rehabilitation counselors, speech pathologists, and occupational therapists, to provide client solutions.
  • Provide consultation, support, or education to groups such as parents and teachers.
  • Participate in professional development activities, such as reading literature, continuing education, attending conferences, and collaborating with colleagues.
  • Train clients to use adaptive equipment, such as large print, reading stands, lamps, writing implements, software, and electronic devices.
  • Write reports or complete forms to document assessments, training, progress, or follow-up outcomes.
  • Administer tests and interpret test results to develop rehabilitation plans for clients.
  • Refer clients to services, such as eye care, health care, rehabilitation, and counseling, to enhance visual and life functioning or when condition exceeds scope of practice.
  • Teach independent living skills or techniques, such as adaptive eating, medication management, diabetes management, and personal management.
  • Obtain, distribute, or maintain low vision devices.
  • Identify visual impairments related to basic life skills in areas such as self care, literacy, communication, health management, home management, and meal preparation.
  • Train clients to read or write Braille.
  • Design instructional programs to improve communication, using devices such as slates and styluses, braillers, keyboards, adaptive handwriting devices, talking book machines, digital books, and optical character readers (OCRs).
Work Context
  • Electronic Mail — 84% responded "Every day".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 80% responded "Every day".
  • Telephone — 64% responded "Every day".
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work — 56% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Contact With Others — 52% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 60% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Physical Proximity — 68% responded "Very close (near touching)".
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Work Activities
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
  • Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Instruct patients in the use of assistive equipment.
  • Refer patients to other healthcare practitioners or health resources.
  • Train caregivers or other non-medical personnel.
  • Maintain medical or professional knowledge.
  • Maintain medical equipment or instruments.
  • Prepare healthcare training materials.
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Knowledge

Education and Training
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Psychology
  • Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
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Skills

Active Listening
  • Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Writing
  • Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Service Orientation
  • Actively looking for ways to help people.
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Abilities

Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Oral Comprehension
  • The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Written Comprehension
  • The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
Problem Sensitivity
  • The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Word processing software
  • Microsoft Word Hot Technology
Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office Hot Technology
Spreadsheet software
  • Microsoft Excel Hot Technology
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