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rehabilitation

Rehabilitation Services Associate

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION:           Rehabilitation Services Associate 

REPORTS TO:     Director of Rehabilitation Services

STATUS:             Non-exempt

JOB PURPOSE:

The Rehabilitation Services Associate (RSA) reports to the Director of Rehabilitation Services and provides administrative and accessibility support to LightHouse rehabilitation training service staff (including blind, deaf and deaf-blind; full and part-time staff) and supports program needs. The primary purpose of this position is to ensure Rehabilitation Services staff are provided with efficient, accurate and student-processing support. The RSA skills are imperative to ensure that the rehabilitation teaching staff can provide smooth and effective training to students in all locations. The RSA is a valued team member where thoughtful problem-solving and mutual support is integral.

Effective and professional interpersonal communication skills to support staff and students via email, phone and in-person is paramount, as is the ability to work and collaborate with colleagues to facilitate and prioritize the flow/process of all administrative support needed for teaching success. Multitasking, follow through and flexibility are essential. Strong ability to work within a database system and solid understanding of the importance of data integrity is critical. The RSA must be able to handle all aspects of office work: problem-solving, setting clear timelines, adhering to deadlines, and demonstrating detail and accuracy in all aspects of data entry and grant reporting, using a database system.

Finally, the RSA will provide visual support for staff to remove inaccessible barriers, report writing and communication with students for scheduling appointments, and securing all details associated with the LightHouse Student Residence.

The work area of the RSA is located in an open work environment, thus ability to work in respectful low-noise areas, including working around guide dogs, is essential. The RSA must be flexible to travel to satellite locations including Berkeley, San Rafael, Fairfield or Napa as needed by the program. Travel may occasionally include an overnight stay or late evening work depending on the program needs.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education or equivalent: Bachelor’s Degree with concentrations in English, liberal arts or communications a plus.

Experience: Two years’ experience in administrative support or related field; a background in non-profits desirable.

Other:

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, flexible, detail-oriented.
  • Ability to manage multiple projects with precision and a high degree of organization.
  • Must have strong interpersonal skills, patience and ability to relate to a diverse staff and student population.
  • Strong skills in Microsoft Office Suite. Advanced use of Excel is essential.
  • Strong ability to work within a database system. (Salesforce is used at the LightHouse.)
  • Strong familiarity with social media a plus.
  • Must have valid California Driver License and be willing to drive.
  • Must have a desire to work with colleagues and find pleasure and purpose in what you do, as we strive to be mentors to the students we teach.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Must be able to: Carry or transport 20lbs; sit at a desk and perform computer-intensive work for long periods of time; operate standard office equipment; travel independently.

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES:

  • Data entry of vendor authorizations and associated student medical and non-medical files (Department of Rehabilitation, Regional Center, Veterans Administration) and timely communication to staff regarding assignments.
  • Maintaining timely correspondence with the Department of Rehabilitation, Regional Center, Veterans Administration and other entities requesting training services.
  • Ensuring complete student files, both electronic and hard copy files.
  • Assisting with student and grant billing, staff reimbursement and record management of purchases of goods and services. Facilitating purchase authorizations, billing forms, etc.
  • Understanding and fully utilizing Salesforce database, including entering authorizations and generating data reports.
  • Work collaboratively with Database Administrator and internal Finance staff to ensure all monthly and quarterly reports are produced efficiently and with accuracy.
  • Prepare and proof documents and correspondence as requested.
  • Develop and maintain mailing lists for vendors and outreach to service providers, and others.
  • Assist service providers in maintaining grant records and other responsibilities.
  • Assist with monthly client billing.
  • Reading and clerical support for blind/low vision staff and students (completion of inaccessible documents such as timesheets, purchase orders, receipt backups and other access issues).
  • Ability to guide and work with volunteers and interns within the department.
  • Producing information in Braille (LightHouse will provide training) for the department.
  • Punctual attendance at staff meetings and trainings.
  • Maintaining client confidentiality internally and externally.
  • Providing back-up reception and visitor check-in for the LightHouse as needed.
  • Provide driver support for Rehabilitation Services.
  • Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

N/A

WORKING CONDITIONS:

LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired is an equal opportunity employer to all.  We strive to maintain a scent-free environment and a drug-free workplace. We also operate under a mutual “employment at will” policy.

TO APPLY:

Please submit a cover letter and résumé as Word attachments (no .PDFs please), to hr@lighthouse-sf.org, including the job title in the subject line. We will not consider videos or hyperlinks to online profiles. Due to time constraints we will only respond to complete submissions in which there is serious interest; thanks for your understanding.

This Spring, CVCL Answers the Tough Questions for New Students

This Spring, CVCL Answers the Tough Questions for New Students

“I’ve often thought about what I would do if I were to drop a sewing needle.” The instructor intones the answer in a gentle voice: “Listen for the direction and how far from you it has fallen.” Obvious? Not to me.”

When Eleanor Lew came to LightHouse in 2016, dropping a sewing needle or traveling through the dark were questions without obvious answers. These are just a couple of the hundreds of seemingly answerless riddles that we help people solve in our weeklong skills training, Changing Vision Changing Life.

Initially only held a few times a year, CVCL now happens every month. It trades locations between San Francisco and Napa to give students a holistic, two-part experience that builds confidence in all areas, introduces them to other individuals peers who motivate each other through peer learning, and gets them on the right track towards being happy, healthy people — regardless of level of eyesight.

“Introducing us to the scope of low-vision rehabilitation services so that we can live independently and maintain quality of life is the purported reason for the camp,” Eleanor writes. “But the healing power of connection is what surprises us.”

There are hundreds of stories like Eleanor’s that come out of CVCL each year. If you want to know more about her transformation, read about it in the New York Times and tell your friends with changing vision to get in touch with Debbie Bacon at dbacon@lighthouse-sf.org or by calling 415-694-7357.


Sign Up for our upcoming CVCL sessions:

CVCL II (San Francisco): March 20 – 24

CVCL I (Napa): April 3 – 7

CVCL II (San Francisco): May 8 – 12

CVCL I: (Napa): June 12 – 16

CVCL II (San Francisco): July 17 – 21

 

LightHouse’s Kathy Abrahamson Honored with Deaf-Blind Advocacy Award

LightHouse’s Kathy Abrahamson Honored with Deaf-Blind Advocacy Award

The Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults (HKNC) is the only national rehabilitation center of its kind, educating those with a combination of vision and hearing impairments in its residential program in Sands Point, New York. The HKNC has produced some of our nations most successful and noteworthy deaf-blind advocates, one of which was Robert Smithdas. In addition to being a long-time advocate at HKNC, Smithdas was also the first deaf-blind individual to receive a masters’ degree, with a legacy that stretched from the middle of the 20th century all the way to his retirement in 2009. With Smithdas’ passing in 2014, the HKNC established the Robert J. Smithdas award, given every year to a select few deaf-blind educators and advocates who have demonstrated a long track record of service to the community.

We’re proud to announce that this year one of the two award recipients is our Director of Rehabilitation, Kathy Abrahamson.

A representative from HKNC came to the LightHouse at the end of July to personally present Kathy with the award. Kathy shares this honor with Ingrid Halvorsen, a longtime deaf-blind educator in Illinois. “Dr. Robert J. Smithdas was reknowned for his tireless advocacy and leadership influencing the development of services for individuals who are deaf-blind,” said Sue Ruzenski, HKNC’s Executive Director, “Both Kathy and Ingrid embody Dr. Smithdas passion for empowering the deaf-blind community.”

Direct from the Helen Keller National Center:

Kathy Abrahamson is the Director of Rehabilitation at the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco, California.  The LightHouse has a long history of providing services to the deaf-blind community beginning in the 1950’s with the establishment of Enchanted Hills Camp, and the formation of a deaf-blind social and recreational club in the early 70’s. Kathy has continued this tradition, and has been a strong champion of deaf- blind services since she began at the LightHouse in 1986. She exemplifies the true spirit of the HKNC Affiliate Program by always maintaining a deaf-blind specialist at the LightHouse since 1992.  Her leadership with the California National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program has afforded a unique collaboration with HKNC, and has brought technology to over 300 deaf-blind Californians the past three years. “She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty in the kitchen every year, slinging turkey and dressing at the annual deaf-blind holiday party, and she may be our biggest ally in trying to establish additional deaf-blind services on this coast, from statewide Support Service Provider (SSP) services to residential training,” said Cathy Kirscher, HKNC’s regional representative for California.  “She is a very deserving individual whose presence and advocacy, along with her fantastic team at the Lighthouse, continues to benefit deaf-blind individuals on a daily basis.”

Without a doubt, Kathy is one of our most valuable assets here at the LightHouse, and it gives us great pleasure and pride to see her recognized on a national level. Congrats, Kathy!

 

 

LightHouse Rehabilitation Director Kathy Abrahamson Honored with Deaf-Blind Advocacy Award

(Left to Right) Bapin Bhattacharyya, Sook Hee Choi, Kathy Abrahamson (holding award), Bryan Bashin, Cathy Kirscher

We’re proud to announce that this year one of the two recipients of the Robert J. Smithdas award is our Director of Rehabilitation, Kathy Abrahamson.

The Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults (HKNC) is the only national rehabilitation center of its kind, educating those with a combination of vision and hearing impairments in its residential program in Sands Point, New York. The HKNC has produced some of our nation’s most successful and noteworthy deaf-blind advocates, one of whom was Robert Smithdas. In addition to being a long-time advocate at HKNC, Smithdas was also the first deaf-blind individual to receive a masters’ degree, with a legacy that stretched from the middle of the 20th century all the way to his retirement community in 2009. With Smithdas’ passing in 2014, the HKNC established the Robert J. Smithdas award, given every year to a select few deaf-blind educators and advocates who have demonstrated a long track record of service to the community.

The LightHouse Deaf-Blind Telecommunications Program has given away free of charge more than $1.5 million in needed telecommunications equipment to Deaf-Blind people throughout California. This program, the largest of its kind in the United States, is a model of collaboration between the LightHouse and HKNC.

A representative from HKNC came to the LightHouse at the end of July to personally present Kathy with the award. Kathy shares this honor with Ingrid Halvorsen, a longtime deaf-blind educator in Illinois. “Dr. Robert J. Smithdas was renowned for his tireless advocacy and leadership influencing the development of services for individuals who are deaf-blind,” said Sue Ruzenski, HKNC’s Executive Director, “Both Kathy and Ingrid embody Dr. Smithdas passion for empowering the deaf-blind community.”

Direct from the Helen Keller National Center:

Kathy Abrahamson is the Director of Rehabilitation at the LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired in San Francisco, California.  The LightHouse has a long history of providing services to the deaf-blind community beginning in the 1950’s with the establishment of Enchanted Hills Camp, and the formation of a deaf-blind social and recreational club in the early 70’s. Kathy has continued this tradition, and has been a strong champion of deaf- blind services since she began at the LightHouse in 1986. She exemplifies the true spirit of the HKNC Affiliate Program by always maintaining a deaf-blind specialist at the LightHouse since 1992.  Her leadership with the California National Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program has afforded a unique collaboration with HKNC, and has brought technology to over 300 deaf-blind Californians the past three years. “She’s not afraid to get her hands dirty in the kitchen every year, slinging turkey and dressing at the annual deaf-blind holiday party, and she may be our biggest ally in trying to establish additional deaf-blind services on this coast, from statewide Support Service Provider (SSP) services to residential training,” said Cathy Kirscher, HKNC’s regional representative for California.  “She is a very deserving individual whose presence and advocacy, along with her fantastic team at the Lighthouse, continues to benefit deaf-blind individuals on a daily basis.”
Without a doubt, Kathy is one of our most valuable assets here at the LightHouse, and it gives us great pleasure and pride to see her recognized on a national level. Congrats, Kathy! If you want to give a contribution to the LightHouse in honor of Kathy and her accomplishments, click here.