Working as an O&M in Primary & Secondary Schools
Orientation and Mobility Specialists help students with visual impairments access their education by enabling them to move safely and as independently as possible through their school environments. As an O&M working in a primary or secondary school, you may:
- Provide orientation and mobility (O&M) instruction to students who are deaf or blind.
- Help students develop the necessary skills to gather and process sensory information.
- Guide students through movement-based activities that help them orient themselves.
In addition to helping students move around the school from class to class, you may also assist them in traveling around the campus, playground, and surrounding areas.
Our Approach to School-Based Related Services
At PTS, we apply an Integrated Systems of Support Model to school-based related services. This model is based on the understanding that, for students to benefit from the support they receive, all the services must be integrated and aligned.
This means, as an O&M Specialist working alongside us, you will collaborate with other providers, including Teachers of the Visually Impaired, Assistive Technology Specialists, and more, to integrate your services to maximize benefits for each child.
In addition to attending trainings led by professionals in other disciplines, you may also lead trainings on how best to support students who are deaf and blind. If you like the idea of working in a collaborative, team-based environment, engaging with PTS as an O&M Specialist may be the right fit for you.
Benefits of Engaging With PTS
For over 25 years, we’ve helped service providers support students better by providing them with access to the support they need. Many of the professionals in our network have found working as an independent contractor in a school setting helps them achieve the work-life balance that suits them best.
If you’re interested in joining our network of independent contractors, we’ll take the time to get to know you and place you in a school where you can apply your expertise. Unlike other staffing agencies, we don’t just place you in a school, we go with you.
Once you begin working, you will continue to have access to support from a PTS Clinical Director, who will also act as a bridge between you, other service providers, administrators, and staff. You will have the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals via our community Facebook group and by attending optional career advancement events held throughout the year.
Explore Open School-Based O&M Opportunities Today
Ready to jump-start or advance your career as a school-based Orientation and Mobility Specialist? If so, check out the current opportunities in our partnering districts and contact us at PTS to learn more about our placement process. We look forward to hearing from you!