Rehabilitation Counselor

Summary

Rehabilitation Counselors in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) work with persons who experience functional impairments and disabilities associated with mental health, physical, and/or psychosocial challenges affecting employment, independent living, or personal adjustment.

Duties

This full time position is in the Vocational Rehabilitation program-the Community & Recovery Services within the Robley Rex VA Medical Center's Mental Health Service line. Duties include, but not limited to: Administers assessments and develops relevant Vocational rehab interventions informed by evaluation data, current research, and best practices. Collaborate in co-treatment of complex clinical cases and demonstrate an ability to design, develop, or adapt unique methods as needed from the industry/field practice and science. Completes clinical documentation of patient care including assessments, progress notes, encounters, consultations, care plans, and other reports with as needed. Serves as Vocational Rehab counseling subject matter expert and representative on interdisciplinary teams and provides education to staff, students, patients, families, and caregivers about the benefits of music therapy and treatment interventions and goals. Collaborates and maintains liaison with interdisciplinary team and educating treatment team on theoretical framework of Vocational Rehab interventions through in-service trainings and communicating specific examples of patients' progress and behavior based on participation in Vocational Rehab programs. Develops and implement quality improvement projects and systems as related to internal and external regulatory requirements, including patient safety. Works closely with other recovery-oriented programs in development of Vocational Rehab programming to meet accreditation standards, including Supported Employment, MHICM, Homeless, and PRRC. Provide oversight, support and feedback to lower RCs/VRSs and student interns on work assignments, time and caseload management and employment outcomes. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm Telework: Ad-hoc Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 40002F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized. Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized.

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English Language Proficiency: Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). 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).ORA 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. (COPY OF CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR GS-12) 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: Rehabilitation Counselor, GS-12 Experience: Completion of one year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all the following KSAs: (a) Ability to apply and teach principles and practices of the evidence-based model of individual placement and support, supported employment (IPS, SE), by engaging others in multiple training methods including hands-on, virtual and telephone trainings, utilizing excellent consultative, facilitative and organizational skills as well as coaching/listening skills. (b) Ability to conduct in person coaching, develop community-wide learning events, and lead mock SE fidelity reviews to provide feedback regarding SE program services and adherence to the SE model. (c) Skill to apply principles and practices of IPS, SE, psychiatric rehabilitation and recovery principles, customized employment and fidelity scale measures to successfully engage Veterans and care providers in the rehabilitation process. (d) Skill to apply advanced counseling skills, crisis intervention and personal and family counseling to intercede on behalf of Veterans, their families and significant others needing specific assistance with employment, housing and finances Preferred Experience: Masters In Rehabilitation Counseling or anticipated graduation date (required); Preferred Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC); preferred experience with providing employment services/vocational rehabilitation; preferred Experience working with substance use population; preferred experience partnering with others/building coalitions. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS-12 Physical Requirements: The work requires regular and recurring physical exertion such as standing or walking for prolonged periods of time, frequent bending, reaching, stooping, and stretching to take apart equipment and apparatus, lifting and repositioning patients; and pushing or pulling objects including wheelchairs. The work may require specific physical characteristics and abilities such as above average agility and dexterity to perform intricate therapy procedures. The physical demands of this position are moderate. Although some of the physical work is sedentary, there will be significant (50 -70% of the time) local travel for support purposes, lifting and carrying items (boxes, clothing, etc. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.