What Does it Take to Be a Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist?
Vision Therapist or Specialist Example 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.
Life As a Vision Therapist or Specialist: What Do They Do?
- Obtain, distribute, or maintain low vision devices.
- Write reports or complete forms to document assessments, training, progress, or follow-up outcomes.
- Train clients to use adaptive equipment, such as large print, reading stands, lamps, writing implements, software, and electronic devices.
- Participate in professional development activities, such as reading literature, continuing education, attending conferences, and collaborating with colleagues.
- Refer clients to services, such as eye care, health care, rehabilitation, and counseling, to enhance visual and life functioning or when condition exceeds scope of practice.
- Monitor clients’ progress to determine whether changes in rehabilitation plans are needed.
Featured schools near , edit
Vision Therapist or Specialist Required Skills
These are the skills Low Vision Therapists, Orientation and Mobility Specialists, and Vision Rehabilitation Therapists say are the most useful in their careers:
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 Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist
- Orientation and Mobility Specialist
- Global Mobility Specialist
- Rehabilitation Teacher
- Vision Rehabilitation Therapist (VRT)
- Orientation & Mobility Specialist
Vision Therapist or Specialist Job Outlook
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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 10,200 job openings in this field each year.
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.
What is the Average Salary of a Vision Therapist or Specialist
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 & Technology 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
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?
Where do 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 interested in being a Low Vision Therapist, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, or Vision Rehabilitation Therapist may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: Barbara E. Carver via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
Featured Schools
Request Info
|
Southern New Hampshire University You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you get there. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you. Find your degree from over 200 online programs. Learn More > |
HealthcareDegreeSearch.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© HealthcareDegreeSearch.com – All Rights Reserved.