Program Instructor, Older Individuals Who Are Blind

At Wayfinder Family Services, we understand the unique challenges facing some of our state’s most vulnerable children, youth and adults. Those with disabilities, those without a home of their own, those who have been abused and many, many more. We answer the call for them. We believe in the amazing potential in, and for, each and every one of them. And, together, we find a way to turn that potential into reality.  

Program and Role Summary:

Wayfinder’s Older Individuals who are Blind program provides adults ages 55 and older who are visually impaired with training to assist them in living independently. Each client has an individualized service plan that specifies goals and activities. Clients receive one-to-one instruction, small group trainings and virtual visits on our L.A. campus, in clients’ homes and at senior centers. For each person, trainings combine the seven service categories that meet their needs: low vision, assistive technology, orientation and mobility, communication, activities of daily living, self-advocacy, or adjustment counseling. As a result, older adults gain independence and self-sufficiency so they can participate more fully in their communities.

The primary focus on the Program Instructor is to instruct clients in the Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) Program in personal management skills, clothing management skills, money management skills, medical, communications skills, home management skills, kitchen management skills, and smartphone usage. 

This is a part-time position budgeted for 24 hours/week.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Prepares individual service plans (ISP) outlining each student's current level of skill, goals, barriers to obtaining the goals and an estimate of time to complete the goals.
• Keeps frequent tracking notes and write required reports including ISPs, Monthly Student Progress Reports and Staffing Reports.
• Provides instruction in the following areas of service: Activities of Daily Living, Communication, Adaptive Equipment/Assistive Technology, Low Vision and Self-Advocacy curricula.
• Maintains records for attendance and Measurable Outcomes for each client.
• Performs student case management duties as assigned by the Manager.
• Directs client families to Medi-Cal covered services to meet identified needs. Make referrals and/or coordinate medical examinations for necessary medical evaluations.  Provide follow-up contact to ensure that clients receive prescribed medical services; annotate medical visit proceedings and treatment in client case files; accompanies client families to medical visits; consult with healthcare providers and others on behalf of clients and their families.
• Facilitates Medi-Cal application by discussing Medi-Cal and Healthy Families eligibility process with client families; assist applicants with gathering information and filling out Medi-Cal applications.
• Trains clients in awareness of physical environment through sense of smell, hearing, and touch, and provides sighted guide training to consumer and/or family members/caregivers.
• Researches and gathers information on the most up to date vision loss related technology devices for seniors with varying degrees of visual impairment to use in activities of daily living.
• Other duties as outlined in the position description.

Education and Experience:

• An associate's degree in special education, rehabilitation teaching, or a related field from an accredited university is preferred.
• A minimum of one year of experience in education with a background in independent living skills is required.
• Knowledge of all areas of adaptive Independent Living Skills for individuals who are blind or visually impaired is required. 
• Three years of teaching experience working with individuals who are blind or visually impaired is highly preferred.
• Willingness and ability to make frequent field visits and attend meetings, conferences, and other job-related events away from headquarters.  If driving a personal vehicle, must be approved by our agency’s automobile insurance carrier.

Benefits: Wayfinder is committed to providing our employees with a benefits program that is both comprehensive and competitive which includes:

• Paid Time Off: Generous Paid Time Off (PTO) policy, 11 paid holidays, plus five winter holidays
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match up to 4% 
• Employee referral program: Encourage your colleagues to join us
• Education tuition assistance program: Invest in your career development 
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) eligible
• Flexible spending account (FSA) plans 
• Eligibility and other benefits are outlined in plan documents

Wayfinder Family Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We support a drug-free workplace and conduct pre-employment background and drug screenings.