Specialist, Early Intervention Jobs

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 to grow.

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

Position Title: Specialist, Early Intervention

Location: Vancouver, BC

Reports To: Manager, Healthcare Operations

Term: Full Time, Permanent

Date: 27th June 2023

I. Scope And Summary Of Primary Responsibilities

This position involves working with children, (birth to K entry), families and community resources to understand the child's vision loss and potential developmental concerns. Responsibilities include an initial interview and ongoing assessment to contribute towards a family and community team service plan that would include strategies and recommendations to support development and learning. The position also involves connecting families and the child's team to identify resources and programs that relate to blindness or partial sight. Consultation will be focused on function and everyday application of sensory skills, communication, play skills, socialization, movement and literacy. In addition, this position also facilitates a child's transition into the community and daycare, pre-school and school settings.

Regional travel will be required, as will overnight travel.

II. Essential Functions

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

• Provides support and information to parents and caregivers on methods and techniques for helping to overcome barriers to inclusion. Provides support and information to parents/caregiver to enhance advocacy skills.
• As part of the Child, Family, Community Team Service Plan, develops intervention/therapeutic activities and programs to assist children with vision loss.
• May conduct/or participate in an initial and ongoing assessments for children aged, birth to school entry, with vision loss. Assists child, family and community team in developing rehabilitation goals.
• Evaluates child’s progress to revise service plans and implement programs that address child and family needs.
• Acts as a consultant/resource to the professional and service community regarding issues pertaining to children with vision loss including children with multiple disabilities.
• Keeps abreast of current materials, technology, standards of practice related to providing service to children with vision loss by review of professional literature, attending conferences/workshops and accessing other current sources of information.
• Develops and/or contributes to Individual Family Service or Intervention Plan developed by the local community IE Team to assist children with vision loss in developing motor, visual, cognitive, self-care, social, literacy and sensory skills in accordance with vision rehabilitation goals.
• Completes required documentation including individualized family service plan, assessments, progress reports, statistics on service delivery, etc.
• Provides interventions and supports to the child and family in the form of: direct intervention; resources and information; collaboration with other programs and service providers; presentations; and transition planning.
• Assesses environmental conditions, accessibility, and safety in settings that the child encounters (home, preschool, playgrounds, etc.)

Relationships

• Interacts with child, their family and community team to develop and identify vision related goals and develop early intervention and therapy programs, and support families to follow through on recommendations.
• Instructs and supervises volunteers and students (and Occupational Therapy Assistants where applicable) to work with children.
• Advocates on child’s behalf in medical clinics, daycare, preschool, school transition and community programs, etc. when possible.
• Educates stakeholders about VLRC and its specialized programs offered to children and their families and the importance of early intervention.
• Works closely and collaboratively with key partner organizations.
• Builds and maintains good working relationships with professionals in other agencies and community groups, particularly others on the child’s therapy team.
• Works as a multi-disciplinary team and participates in team meetings.

Problem Solving

• Problem solving involved in adapting programs, materials and equipment to address the needs of children with complex health conditions.
• In case of critical incidents such as indications of child abuse or medical emergencies the Early Intervention Specialist must immediately report concerns and ensure children are receiving appropriate care. Procedure varies by province.
• Position utilizes problem solving abilities related to implementing and developing intervention and therapy programs for children with vision loss.
• You must be able to work with a child’s family recognizing their complex needs including; cultural, religious, mental health needs and/or emotional support.

Decision Autonomy

• Judgment is utilized for making decisions about method, schedule, and type of assessment and treatment and the manner in which parents are taught to follow through on recommendations.
• This position is itinerant, requiring frequent visits to family homes and community programs, daycare, preschool, Child Development Centers.
• Decision making based on training and experience working with children with visual impairments, and individual assessment and reassessment, to develop an appropriate service plan.

Leadership

• Provides leadership and guidance when training and supervising volunteers, parents, students and community.
• Takes initiative to develop/implement the most appropriate intervention for child and in maintaining current knowledge associated with children with vision loss.

Requirements

III. Qualifications

Knowledge And Skill Requirements

• Ability to utilize computer and software programs.
• Good organization and time management skills.
• Training related to specialized seating and positioning, feeding, adaptive technology and sensory integration is an asset.
• Knowledge of childhood normal and abnormal development including extensive understanding of childhood disabilities.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with children and families.
• Excellent facilitation skills both in groups and individual situations.
• Experience supervising volunteers and support personnel an asset.
• Knowledge and understanding of cortical visual impairment is an asset.
• Experience working with children with additional disabilities.
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills.

Experience And Education

• Bachelors' in Early Childhood Education, Social Services or equivalent.
• 3 or more years' experience working with children with additional disabilities is an asset.
• First Aid certification.
• Knowledge of early childhood development.

Work Environment

• Willingness to work in a variety of settings (child’s home, Child Development Centre, daycare, community settings etc.).
• Willingness to work flexible hours.
• Travel will be required.

Benefits

Apply Now!

If this sounds like the role for you, apply now to [email protected] 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 culture and welcomes applications from diverse candidates, including but not limited to Indigenous peoples, women, candidates with disabilities, and candidates of colour. We strongly encourage applications from applicants with sight loss. Direct lived experience would be a definite asset. We're excited to review your application.

Please note that the successful candidate will be required to pass a standard Criminal Record Check.

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

Closing Date for Applications: 1st September, 2023