Orientation & Mobility Intern

MAB Community Services is a non-profit human service organization serving adults with developmental disabilities, adults with acquired brain injuries, individuals who are blind or visually impaired, and adolescents with autism.   MAB is currently building our team with enthusiastic professionals with the desire to rebuild lives and grow professionally.

Job summary

O&M Interns work under the general supervision of the Director of Orientation and Mobility, provide quality orientation and mobility services to individuals assigned to the Orientation and Mobility program. Provide consultation and training to caregivers as appropriate regarding individuals' orientation and mobility skills.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establishes current and long-range goals, objectives and plans for individuals with visual impairments.
• Provides leadership, guidance, direction, and authorization to carry out initiatives and mobility services program development, consistent with established policies and approval of the Director of Orientation and Mobility.
• Assesses individuals' orientation and mobility and low vision skills; ensures all individuals referred receive assessments and follow-up services.
• Supports individuals' desires to become more independent by teaching mobility skills to individuals as requested, ensuring the individual's choices, interests and needs are supported.
• Assists in the development and implementation of support strategies with regard to orientation and mobility as specified by individuals in the Individual Support Plan, Person Centered Plan or Plan or Care.
• Promotes maximum functioning, independence and wellness.
• Maintains HIPAA guidelines while ensuring continuity of care.
• Participates as appropriate in referral and intake/admission process.
• Participates in the development of Safety Plans and provides consultation in assessing individual safety skills.
• Provides in-service training to caregivers supporting individuals with vision impairment and other disabilities.
• Maintains MAB and regulatory agency confidentiality policies.
• Attends and participates in regular supervision with the Director of Orientation and Mobility.
• Completes all contact notes, billing notes and assessments in MAB database as required. Keeps all database records up to date, include new addresses, new contact information etc..
• Maintains schedule in order to provide direct service in individuals’ environments at time that are convenient to the consumer. This may include early mornings, early evenings or weekends as necessary.
• Travel to Day Programs, residences, worksites, etc.. throughout the Metro region of Boston, as well as surrounding areas of Massachusetts.

RELATED DUTIES

• Ensures all documents and reports are objective, relevant and respectful of the individuals concerned.
• Maintains administrative and clinical records according to agency and regulatory standards.
• Attends all required trainings.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as DDS regulations, ISPs, records, logs, policy and procedure manuals, agency safety policies, memos and operating and maintenance instructions.
• Ability to write training programs, progress reports, assessments and correspondence.
• Ability to provide training to direct care, clinical, and other pertinent staff working with the individual.
• Ability to communicate effectively with individuals and their families, co-workers and outside professionals.
• Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with DDS and its staff, service coordinators, service providers and others within an individual support network.

PROBLEM SOLVING AND JUDGMENT

• Ability to solve practical problems and apply sound judgment in crisis situations and in situations where limited or no guidelines exist.
• Ability to assist staff with decision making in ambiguous situations.
• Ability to anticipate problems and plan proactively.
• Ability to respond appropriately to complaints, requests, and program needs.