Rehabilitation Counselor

Summary

This position is located within VHA Vocational Rehabilitation Service (VHA Voc Rehab). VHA Voc Rehab Service programs are recovery-oriented clinical vocational rehabilitation services that offer an array of vocational, educational, training, employment, and therapeutic work services. They include skill development, fostering of natural supports, and assistance with obtaining and maintaining employment for Veterans for whom the primary objective is competitive employment.

Duties

Major Duties The Rehabilitation Counselor serves within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Vocational Rehabilitation Service, providing professional rehabilitation counseling, therapeutic interventions, and case management services to Veterans with physical, psychological, psychosocial, and other disabilities. The incumbent assists Veterans in overcoming barriers to employment, education, independent living, and successful community reintegration. Duties include, but are not limited to: Provides professional rehabilitation counseling, personal adjustment counseling, therapeutic interventions, and case coordination services to assist Veterans in achieving employment, educational, and independent living goals. Conducts comprehensive biopsychosocial and vocational assessments through medical record reviews, interviews, observations, and evaluation of disability-related documentation. Administers and interprets vocational and psychometric assessments to evaluate functional capacities, transferable skills, vocational interests, aptitudes, and employment barriers. Develops individualized, patient-centered rehabilitation treatment plans using measurable goals and monitors Veterans' progress to determine appropriate adjustments to services. Collaborates with interdisciplinary treatment teams to coordinate rehabilitation services, identify barriers to employment, and determine appropriate therapeutic and vocational interventions. Provides job development, placement assistance, job coaching, workplace accommodation recommendations, and advocacy services to support Veterans in obtaining and maintaining competitive employment. Establishes and maintains partnerships with employers, community organizations, and government agencies to develop transitional work placements and competitive employment opportunities. Facilitates psychoeducational and therapeutic groups focused on job readiness, employment skills, personal adjustment, independent living, and recovery. Evaluates workplace requirements and recommends modifications, assistive technology, and alternative vocational strategies to address disability-related employment barriers. Provides consultation, disability education, and training to staff, employers, and community stakeholders regarding vocational rehabilitation services and the employment needs of Veterans. Participates in quality improvement activities, professional peer reviews, and interdisciplinary case reviews to ensure effective rehabilitation services and compliance with applicable professional standards. Performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized

Qualifications

Basic Requirements: Citizenship. Candidates must be a citizen of the United States. Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with 38 U.S.C. § 7407(a). Education A master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a rehabilitation counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). If the applicant's degree was granted prior to July 1, 2017, the program must be accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education. OR A master's degree in counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). OR A master's or doctoral degree in a related field of study with course content that emphasized rehabilitation, counseling, disability, therapy, health, employment, wellness, or human development from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by CHEA. OR Foreign graduates with a degree acceptable by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). Certification. Current, full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) from the CRCC to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling. Exceptions for Graduate RCs. RC graduates from an approved counseling or rehabilitation counseling program who otherwise meet the basic qualification requirements and the additional degree requirements for CRC certification by the CRCC, but do not possess the required certification, may be appointed, pending certification, as a graduate RC on a full-time temporary appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1 )(D). Graduate RCs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. Temporary graduate RC appointments may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, RCs must actively pursue meeting prerequisites for certification starting from the date of their appointment. This includes working towards completion of CRCC's required acceptable employment experience and completing required CRCC documentation to verify employment experience and supervision by a CRC. At the time of appointment, the RC supervisor will provide the RC with the written requirements for certification, including the time by which the certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to become certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0101 RC series and may result in termination of employment. Loss of Certification. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Rehabilitation Counselor, GS-11 Experience. Completion of one year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. OR Education. A doctoral degree in rehabilitation counselor education or related field (e.g. rehabilitation psychology) from a CACREP accredited institution or from an institution accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by CHEA. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of physical and psychological disabilities, appropriate accommodations and assistive technology principles to mitigate and reduce or eliminate barriers to integrate into the community. Knowledge of counseling theory, medical and psychiatric terminology and signs and symptomology of suicidal and homicidal ideations, to communicate appropriately with community health care professionals to provide useful input to other team members and employers in relation to the Veteran and/or his/her family's psychosocial needs and to recommend and help implement suitable treatment plans. Ability to use evidence-based and evidence informed vocational and professional counseling practices to include individual placement and support (