What Do Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist Do?
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
- Teach cane skills, including cane use with a guide, diagonal techniques, and two-point touches.
- Obtain, distribute, or maintain low vision devices.
- Teach independent living skills or techniques, such as adaptive eating, medication management, diabetes management, and personal management.
- Administer tests and interpret test results to develop rehabilitation plans for clients.
- Participate in professional development activities, such as reading literature, continuing education, attending conferences, and collaborating with colleagues.
- Train clients to read or write Braille.
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Things a Vision Therapist or Specialist Should Know How to Do
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.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
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.
Types of Vision Therapist or Specialist Jobs
- Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapist
- Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist (COMS)
- Mobility Specialist
- Low Vision Therapist
- Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI)
What Kind of Vision Therapist or Specialist Job Opportunities Are There?
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 130,400 jobs in the United States for Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist. 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 Average Salary
The average yearly salary of a Vision Therapist or Specialist ranges between $55,490 and $120,750.
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 |
What Tools do Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Access
- Internet browser software
Becoming a Vision Therapist or Specialist
What education is needed to be a Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Vision Therapist or Specialist?
Where Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists Work
Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists work in the following industries:
Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Barbara E. Carver via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
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