Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Responsibilities

The Rehabilitation Counselor 2 makes eligibility decisions for program services; provides eligible individuals with sufficient counseling and guidance to assist them to complete an adequate assessment of vocational needs; develops Individual Plans for Employment (IPE); manages cases in a manner that ensures timely case movement and delivery of services; ensures that accurate case documentation is in case files; ensures case expenditures are appropriate;

completes required actions with sufficient written documentation and justification as needed to obtain the required number of employment outcomes. The incumbent will be mentored by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 3.

Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisors and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors manage a caseload budget; determine eligibility or ineligibility; assess vocational rehabilitation needs; develop individualized plans for employment (IPE); coordinate the delivery of services; provide counseling and advocacy services; provide appropriate job placement; and determine employment outcome in order to minimize disabling conditions and reduce dependency for individuals whose mental or physical disability presents a barrier to employment and/or self-sufficiency.

Manage the caseload budget; project and authorize expenditures to assess applicants and meet client needs for physical and mental restoration, training or other vocational rehabilitation services; establish priorities of case spending; track caseload expenses according to prevailing federal, State and agency policies and guidelines; identify and utilize other available financial resources to maximize the use of agency funds.

Interview applicants to establish case histories to include family background, social characteristics, education, work experience, health history and financial status; identify appropriate diagnostics, consultations, medical and psychological records needed to determine eligibility or ineligibility; schedule applicants for medical, psychological and vocational assessments; make referrals to other social services as appropriate.

Analyze data gathered to establish the existence of a disabling condition; determine physical and psychological limitations which are impediments to employment; determine the applicants’ need for, and ability to benefit from, vocational rehabilitation services to obtain employment for eligibility purposes and plan development.

Determine and document ineligibility based on clear and convincing evidence which may include trial work periods.

Assess vocational rehabilitation needs of clients; identify medical, psychological, social, vocational, educational and other needs including unique strengths, resources, priorities and interests.

Develop an IPE; determine a realistic vocational goal with the informed choice of clients; identify specific intermediate objectives and strategies; determine evaluation criteria and schedules; identify service providers and coordinate service delivery; evaluate the effectiveness of services provided; ensure clients utilize available benefits and entitlements; provide required services; review and modify goals and strategies as needed.

Provide ongoing service coordination and advocacy on behalf of clients to facilitate the IPE; perform a variety of counseling to include adjustment, family, individual and group, and career and job readiness counseling; coordinate job placement services.

Assess job readiness; provide job seeking skills training; develop job placement resources by contacting local employers and private vendors to become familiar with the job market; provide information to local employers regarding agency program goals and State and federal employment incentives; advise and assist employers with appropriate work station modification to accommodate specific disabilities; provide on-the-job training, supportive work, selective job placement and follow-up.

Consult with doctors, psychologists, therapists, prosthesis manufacturers, hospital staff and dentists to plan and coordinate delivery of physical and mental restoration services; refer clients to training programs in high schools,…