What is a Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist?
Position Description 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.
Vision Therapist or Specialist Responsibilities
- Recommend appropriate mobility devices or systems, such as human guides, dog guides, long canes, electronic travel aids (ETAs), and other adaptive mobility devices (AMDs).
- Teach independent living skills or techniques, such as adaptive eating, medication management, diabetes management, and personal management.
- Teach cane skills, including cane use with a guide, diagonal techniques, and two-point touches.
- Train clients to use adaptive equipment, such as large print, reading stands, lamps, writing implements, software, and electronic devices.
- Teach clients to travel independently, using a variety of actual or simulated travel situations or exercises.
- Train clients to read or write Braille.
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Vision Therapist or Specialist Needed Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists say are important on the job.
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.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Related Job Titles
- Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist
- Low Vision Therapist
- Vision Specialist
- Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (VRT)
- Global Mobility Specialist
Vision Therapist or Specialist Job Outlook
There were about 130,400 jobs for Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 23.8% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 31,000 new jobs for Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist by 2026. The BLS estimates 10,200 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Vision Therapist or Specialist are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Kansas, Rhode Island, or Minnesota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Vision Therapist or Specialist Salary
The salary for Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists ranges between about $55,490 and $120,750 a year.
Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists who work in California, New Jersey, or Nevada, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $83,810 |
| Alaska | $86,860 |
| Arizona | $94,800 |
| Arkansas | $81,810 |
| California | $95,160 |
| Colorado | $89,770 |
| Connecticut | $90,780 |
| Delaware | $86,020 |
| District of Columbia | $94,360 |
| Florida | $81,520 |
| Georgia | $82,060 |
| Hawaii | $83,010 |
| Idaho | $81,230 |
| Illinois | $83,940 |
| Indiana | $79,870 |
| Iowa | $80,740 |
| Kansas | $78,720 |
| Kentucky | $79,460 |
| Louisiana | $85,490 |
| Maine | $72,160 |
| Maryland | $89,230 |
| Massachusetts | $87,160 |
| Michigan | $77,940 |
| Minnesota | $74,050 |
| Mississippi | $81,590 |
| Missouri | $75,120 |
| Montana | $74,940 |
| Nebraska | $76,850 |
| Nevada | $100,970 |
| New Hampshire | $79,850 |
| New Jersey | $96,600 |
| New Mexico | $81,660 |
| New York | $88,370 |
| North Carolina | $84,390 |
| North Dakota | $67,420 |
| Ohio | $85,720 |
| Oklahoma | $82,240 |
| Oregon | $90,720 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,030 |
| Rhode Island | $83,600 |
| South Carolina | $78,470 |
| South Dakota | $69,390 |
| Tennessee | $84,870 |
| Texas | $89,360 |
| Utah | $85,300 |
| Vermont | $76,840 |
| Virginia | $93,010 |
| Washington | $81,250 |
| West Virginia | $81,080 |
| Wisconsin | $73,390 |
| Wyoming | $82,010 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Access
- Internet browser software
How do I Become a Vision Therapist or Specialist?
What education or degrees do I need to become a Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist?
What work experience do I need to become a Vision Therapist or Specialist?
Who Employs Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists?
Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists work in the following industries:
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist may also be interested in:
References:
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