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Job Requisition ID:

2025-00826

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Group:

Staff

Job Category:

Medical Health and Wellness

Employment Type:

Permanent

Department:

Faculty of Science - School of Optometry and Vision Science - Centre for Sight Enhancement Administration

Hiring Range:

$60,384.87 - $75,481.09

Posting Information:

The internal posting deadline for this position is Thursday, November 13 at 11:59PM.
This position is contingent on funding.
This is a Career Path position. The final level will be determined based on demonstrated skills and experience.
Anticipated hiring ranges:

• USG 7: $60,384.87 – $75,481.09
• USG 8: $65,973.33 – $82,466.66

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Vision Rehabilitation Therapist is responsible for assessing patients for adaptive devices and training on visual aids and exercises prescribed by the optometrist, as well as demonstrating techniques, and concepts to assist the patient with environmental modifications and basic activities of daily living. The Vision Rehabilitation Therapist works as part of a vision rehabilitation team comprised of optometrists, optometry student interns, an optometric resident, high technology assessment specialists, a counselling intern and a social work intern. The Vision Rehabilitation Therapist will also provide supervisory support for interns in the Sight Enhancement Clinics.

Key Accountabilities

Clinical

• Review patient rehabilitation plan, clinical assessments and reports prior to patient assessment to understand patient’s condition, history, capabilities and goals.
• Communicate and collaborate with rehab team, other health care workers, and teachers in patient’s circle of care and provide input and recommendations for patient’s rehabilitation program.
• Visit/assess/work with patient in clinic, community or home setting (when imperative).
• Identify modifications and alternatives to adapt vision aids for accommodation of other disabilities
• Train patient in the use of both optical and non-optical low vision devices and skills required for device use, care and maintenance
• Confirm optometrist’s spectacle or device prescription through trial of medical filters, adds, and magnification. Assist patient to select appropriate frames for custom spectacles.
• Calculate Assistive Devices Program (ADP) funding for devices and spectacles, create invoice, and dispense devices.
• Identify potential accessibility problems in the home/school and community environment and suggest solutions.
• Perform assessments for low tech devices for non-optometric and non-ophthalmological authorizers under ADP. Perform CCTV assessments for ADP authorization as needed.
• Supervise optometrist designed rehabilitation exercises.
• Adjust assessment and communication styles as required for patient.
• Refer patient for additional services (e.g. Other services within clinic or community resources)
• Complete exam notes, evaluation reports and recommendation, funding application, statistics and other required paperwork in a timely fashion.
• Conduct Low Vision patient follow-up after clinic visit to assess outcome measures and identify any additional services or training required.
  

Administration

• Maintain electronic medical records describing all patient contacts and assessments.
• Maintain the Loan Program equipment and its associated database.
• Complete ADP funding applications for patients.
• Complete process for registration in community support agencies.
• Maintain inventory of donated devices.
• Provide written reports as required.
• Provide patient contact statistics as required for government reporting.
• Conduct maintenance of exam room and loan program equipment and devices
• Maintain and build knowledge of devices for the visually impaired as well as, instructional strategies and techniques.
• Submit requests, as needed, for new demonstration devices or products to be made available for patient purchase.

Teaching

• Provide supervision of optometry interns for related Sight Enhancement Clinic activities and supervision of interns in the Vision Rehabilitation fields.
• Provide learning opportunities for optometry students, interns and residents by participating in didactic opportunities.
• Explain role and low vision aids and ADL strategies to groups touring the clinic.
• Promote vision rehabilitation at health expos, public education events and/or through workshops

Required Qualifications

Education

• Post-secondary degree in Occupational Therapy, Vision Science, and/or certification as a Certified Low Vision Therapist or Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist
• Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered
• Must be licensed/registered with relevant professional college

Experience

• Two years’ experience working with the elderly and individuals with a disability
• Experience working with individuals with vision loss. Experience can be a combination of work, volunteer positions, placements, internships and co-op positions.
• Experience working in a health care environment.
• Will be required to complete study for Certification as a Low Vision Therapist with ACVREP
• ADP Authorizer status would be an asset. Will be required to complete training and registration as an ADP authorizer.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Effective time management and organizational skills, ability to prioritize and meet deadlines, reliable follow-through and commitment to excellence
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and groups
• Able to teach technical and non-technical skills to patients and adapt teaching method for individuals
• Knowledge of basic principles of spectacle prescriptions
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills/problem-solving skills
• Comfortable working collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team
• Knowledge of a wide range of optical and non-optical equipment
• Knowledge of Daily Living concepts and intervention strategies
• Knowledge of Vision Therapy exercises/strategies, is an asset
• Knowledge of accessibility features for high technology equipment and CCTV’s, is an asset
• Knowledge of visual system, eye conditions and their impact, is an asset
• Knowledge of braille and braille adaptive devices, is an asset
• Bilingualism (English/French), is an asset
• Vulnerable Sector Check is required.

Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.