Now Hiring: Director of Vision Rehabilitation Services

Location: New Orleans, LA

Schedule: Full-Time, Monday-Friday (occasional evening/weekends)

About the Role

The Director of Vision Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) provides leadership, hiring, supervision, and administration of adult and youth programs for people with varying degrees of vision loss. The incumbent must demonstrate proven managerial skills, a strong spirit of collaboration, critical thinking, and the drive to lead by example. The DVRS is responsible for managing the success of the Vision Rehabilitation Services (VRS) team, while measuring the success of the department’s programs. This position requires excellent communication skills, proven team-building skills, and a passion to develop comprehensive impactful programming that aligns with the Lighthouse mission.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director of Vision Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) will be responsible for the following core job duties:

1. Continuously monitor and evaluate VRS programming using an outcome-based model to measure program success and provide monthly/quarterly reports as directed.
2. Provide leadership and administration of all VRS programs in the New Orleans and Baton Rouge regions. Responsible for the creation, implementation, and monitoring of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) that govern the VRS programs. Coordinate with all teams to ensure continuity of the provision of services across regions.
3. Provide direct supervision and support to VRS staff, managing hiring, onboarding, and performance processes. Conduct ongoing time and performance reviews to ensure open communication and appropriate guidance is afforded to all team members. Cultivate a team whose performance is rooted in dedication to serving others; guaranteed to follow best practices; measured to ensure accountability; and committed to support each other to success.
4. Provide leadership and administration of the Early Steps program. Support program growth and stability through networking and outreach events to build community partnerships and increase referrals.
5. Continuously strive to improve the quality and efficiency of VRS programs to support new revenue streams that promote sustainability and optimize client outcomes.
6. Serve as primary contact for Lighthouse Louisiana to manage Medicare, Medicaid, and other third-party payers for Occupational Therapy services.
7. Provide training and direct supervision of billing practices for the Occupational Therapy Clinic, including checking benefits, obtaining authorizations, collecting copayments, and posting payments.
8. Develop and maintain clinical skills to support the provision of OT services, providing PRN assessments and interventions when needed to cover staff absences or to accommodate unique client needs.
9. Ensure compliance with contract/grant requirements as identified by state, federal, and private funding agencies, including but not limited to program and contract deliverables, consumer outcomes, budget management, invoicing, reporting, etc. Serve as Contract Manager for the Older Blind contract and collaborate with the Accounting department to ensure accuracy of monthly submissions to the state.
10. Maintain confidentiality of information and material at the highest standards to adhere to compliance with HIPAA regulations.
11. Ensure the quality of services and client satisfaction as determined through staff performance and client satisfaction survey results.
12. Collaborate with Lighthouse leadership across departments to support program initiatives and goals. Foster a team environment by working in partnership with all peers.
13. Coordinate with Accounting to develop and manage the budget for the Vision Rehab Services Department.
14. Provide leadership and expertise to support stakeholder relations. Represent the VRS department and promote the programs for agency tours. Participate in education and advocacy events, provide sensitivity training to teams of local businesses, conduct environmental assessments for public venues, and engage with key stakeholders at special events, when needed to achieve strategic goals. Create and conduct professional presentations as needed.
15. Provide input and support for the Lighthouse’s advocacy and public policy platform regarding local, state, and federal policies, initiatives, and issues that affect people who have vision loss.
16. Perform other duties as assigned by the VP of Services.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

1. Education: Minimum bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy, vision studies, or relevant field required.
2. Special Knowledge/Skills: Leadership skills to include effective supervision, performance evaluation, conflict resolution, and budget management; Knowledge of vision loss and rehabilitative techniques to optimize level of function for clients of all ages preferred; Strong working knowledge of professions in the field of vision rehabilitation preferred; Working knowledge of medical billing to guide the process for invoicing insurance for services; Proficient in use of standard productivity tools such as Microsoft Office suite and Salesforce; Excellent time management and organizational skills; Superior verbal and written communication skills; Able to conduct professional presentations; Self-driven, able to work independently and with diverse teams; Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
3. Experience: Proven success as a team leader with at least 3-5 years’ experience managing multi-disciplinary Programs required. Experience managing and/or working in collaboration with Occupational Therapy programs required. Experience with public speaking required. Experience managing Medicare/Medicaid billing preferred.
4. Supervisory Responsibility: Supervise all Vision Rehab staff, Interns, and volunteers.
5. Physical: Able to effectively perform the specified duties.
6. Personality Traits: Proven leader who can inspire and motivate teams. Self-directed, mission focused, and outcome-driven; Values integrity, transparency, and accountability; Welcomes diverse opinions and strives for inclusion; Punctual, responsive, and organized; Maintain professional appearance and attitude appropriate to the position; Positive, enthusiastic, patient, and compassionate; Proactive leader; Creative thinker with a willingness to constantly adapt to the day and the needs of the organization, department, and individual clients.
7. Working Conditions: Primarily office setting. Some travel required, primarily within the New Orleans and Baton Rouge regions. Valid driver’s license and clear driving record required with valid Louisiana insurance coverage.
8. Work Schedule: Monday through Friday, 40 hours per week salaried. Occasional weekend community outreach activities and special events.
9. Background Check, Drug Testing, and motor vehicle report required: Employment is contingent based upon satisfactory results.
10. Federal Suitability Requirements: N/A

This job description does not imply that these are the only duties to be performed. The incumbent in this position will perform such other tasks as may be required for the effective operation of the Division/Department upon request by his/her supervisor.