CAREERS

Lighthouse has an opportunity for an experienced Occupational Therapist to implement a broad range of therapeutic services for each assigned client in accordance with his/her Individualized Service Plan (ISP) and/or doctors’ orders for OT; provide OT and VRT assessments and therapy/instruction; as well as considerable time shaping and promoting the Interdisciplinary Model within LCF and throughout the community.

Direct Service:

• Provide instruction/therapies relevant to the needs of each individual client.  Instruct clients in the use of an array of adaptive tools and techniques that allow for optimal success in activities of daily living with vision loss Provide both Occupational Therapy and Vision Rehabilitation Instructional Services to help each individual achieve her/his goals for independence and self-confidence. This position will consist of center-based and community-based therapy/instruction
• Assist in ensuring that OT therapies and/or Vision Rehabilitation Instruction meet or exceed contract obligations and professional standards
• Promote independence in activities of daily living (including dressing, feeding, feeding, grooming, money identification/management, pre-cane mobility, cooking and laundry) through problem solving, suggesting adaptations and observation of the student
• Conduct comprehensive functional vision rehabilitation assessments and OT assessments to identify existing skills, goals, and appropriate adaptive devices needed.
• Review assessment recommendations with the clients.  Develop Individualized Service Plans and implement training plans.
• Collaborate with clients, family members and colleagues to share information and expertise in order to plan and implement effective instruction.
• Provide center-based, community-based and virtual instructional services appropriate to the assessed needs and goals of the clients
• Assist in the adjustment counseling of clients as necessary; evaluate client progress towards individual goals; mediate problems between clients and assigned program staff. 
• Teach and model high standards of advocacy/self-advocacy

Leadership:

• Reflect Lighthouse Central Florida’s mission, vision, and core values in daily interactions with clients, staff, and all external and internal constituencies
• Be a standard bearer for the Interdisciplinary Model (IM) LCF is building.  Actively participate in efforts to demonstrate the synergies between Occupational Therapy, Low Vision Therapy and Vision Rehabilitation Therapy.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of a comprehensive marketing strategy for the IM including but not limited to Ophthalmologists, Optometrists, their staffs, the OT community and the general public.  Actively participate in building relationships between LCF and community partners, particularly in OT, higher education, optometry and ophthalmology. 
• Actively participate in agency and team meetings to ensure effective communication, service quality and team work
• Assist in the selection and implementation of the EMR system to be used as LCF transitions to billing for services within the health care system.
• Comply with agency policies and procedures including completion of required documentation and reports (timesheets, certificates of absence, etc.)
• Identify and actively support appropriate involvement of volunteers in program functions to extend and enhance team effectiveness and efficiency.  Serve as the primary staff contact for volunteers who are assisting with aspects of assigned work

Supervision:

• Supervise COTA(s) ); exercise signature authority in compliance with the professional standards of the OTR/L
• Actively assist when opportunities present for OT and COTA level 1 and level 2 rotations that occur frequently at LCF.
• Communicate and coordinate the variety of requests, opportunities and projects requiring participation or leadership as pertains to OT, COTA, Vision Rehabilitation Therapy and other aspects of the IM.  Advise the programs managers on the feasibility and value of each and recommend participation or not.
• Provide feedback to the Department Manager and/or Volunteer Coordinator regarding performance of assigned PRN staff and/or volunteers.
• Collaborate with Youth Services, Client Care and Marketing/ Development to provide staffing support needed to ensure successful achievement of contract and grant deliverables.

Planning and Service Development:

• Collaborate in the development of successive phases of the interdisciplinary model to help build a sustainable service delivery structure that will work alongside existing services and stimulate the expansion of services
• Participate in the development of engaging and creative curricula, lesson plans and therapies to meet client needs and training demands.  Implement relevant therapies.
• Participate in the development, implementation, evaluation and refinement of the R360 model.
• Engage with managers in discussions about electronic medical records (EMR) and their usefulness/implementation as LCF moves toward a more integrated interdisciplinary model.

Case Management and Reporting

• Efficiently navigate the agency’s Apricot database software to maintain complete, accurate and timely documentation and reports as assigned, to meet agency and contractual requirements.
• Actively participate in the selection and implementation of an effective EMR system
• Maintain the confidentiality of program participants in accordance with professional ethics and State and Federal regulations
• Communicate as needed with Client Care Coordinators and other staff to expedite each client's movement through service delivery.
• Facilitate the request, receipt and distribution of procurement requests

Community Education:

• Support and assist in collaborative activities with community partners as assigned.
• Participate in community education and public awareness activities to develop collaboration with other agencies, municipalities, civic organizations, and schools to ensure that vision rehabilitation services are recognized as an important resource to the community and known to individuals who can benefit from services.
• Participate in the development and implementation of educational programs/activities to inform the medical community, educators, parents, elected officials and/or the community at large about the scope, variety and effectiveness of LCF services to achieve inclusion and self-actualization

Professional Development

• Actively engage in efforts to cross-train and minimize reluctance to move the organization to the Interdisciplinary Model. 
• Participate in available continuing education and staff development opportunities.
• Participate in general agency community education and fund development activities/ events.
• Participate in agency and department meetings to ensure communication and team work
• Participate as a member of the Rehabilitation Services team and support all aspects of Lighthouse Central Florida’s Services
• Perform other duties as required   

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree minimum, Masters preferred in Occupational Therapy

License and/or Certification

• OTR/L credential required; current (preferred) or actively pursuing CLVT credential

Experience:

• Practice experience in a professional work environment with people with disabilities is preferred but not required. Experience with visual impairments helpful but not required.

Demonstrated Knowledge and Skills:

• Possess excellent skills in the delivery of ADL and other self-help skills with people of a variety of ages
• Ability to effectively convey skills and techniques for daily living to a wide variety of clients, adapting teaching methods as needed to accommodate a variety of learning styles
• Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills 
• Possess a working knowledge of MS Word, Excel, Outlook, and Internet
• Possess an ability to utilize the LCF database for client demographics, documentation and agency reports
• Professional maturity, judgment and objectivity
• Capable of working with a variety of personalities and leadership styles
• Possess effective organizational and time management skills with attention to detail
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, management, business professionals, civic organizations, and the general public
• Ability to work as an effective member of the team
• Ability to project a positive, compassionate image to clients, co-workers and the public
• Ability to adapt to and support change
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to move about independently within the facility and in the community we serve.
• Moderate ability to move and lift items. Typically up to 25 lbs. but occasionally up to 75 lbs. Infrequently assist with patient transfers.
• Prolonged standing upon occasion.
• Prolonged sitting at work station.
• General good health and energetic

Requirements:

• Pass Level II background checks
• Possess reliable transportation
• Eligible to work in the United States

*It is the policy of Lighthouse Central Florida not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or because he or she is a protected veteran. It is also the policy of Lighthouse Central Florida to take affirmative action to employ and to advance in employment, all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status, and to base all employment decisions only on valid job requirements. This policy shall apply to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, upgrading, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, recall, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation and selection for training, including apprenticeship, at all levels of employment.