Rehabilitation Counselor

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; Johnson City (TN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ James H. Quillen Veterans Administration Medical Center in Mountain Home, Tennessee, seeks a Rehabilitation Counselor to support Veterans through the Vocational Rehabilitation program within Mental Health services.

The role includes assessment, counseling, and coordination to advance employment and independent living for Veterans with disabilities. The position requires a CACREP-accredited master's degree in rehabilitation counseling and CRC certification,

Qualifications

• Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling from CACREP-accredited program
• CRC certification required to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling
• Doctoral degree in rehabilitation counseling-related field may fulfil requirements
• Educational transcript showing degree conferment must be submitted with application

Responsibilities

• Provide personal adjustment counseling and case coordination services
• Develop and monitor rehabilitation plans to achieve employment and independent living goals
• Conduct vocational assessments using medical records, documentation, and interviews
• Consult with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate care and ensure medical clearance
• Deliver psychoeducational groups to teach job search skills and soft skills
• Engage employers and agencies to identify job opportunities for Veterans with disabilities

Skills

Counseling knowledge

Disability awareness

IPS & supported employment

Career development

Assessment skills

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling (CACREP)

CRC certification

Doctoral degree in related field (CACREP/CHEA)

Job description

Summary

The Rehabilitation Counselor (RC) position is organizationally located at the James H. Quillen Veterans Administration Medical Center (JHQVAMC) - Mountain Home - Tennessee. The incumbent is assigned to the Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab) Program - in Mental Health (MH) Service. Voc Rehab provided vocational services - including Transitional Work (TW} - Supported Employment (SE) - Community Based Employment Services (CBES) - and Vocational Assistance.

Summary

The Rehabilitation Counselor (RC) position is organizationally located at the James H. Quillen Veterans Administration Medical Center (JHQVAMC) - Mountain Home - Tennessee. The incumbent is assigned to the Vocational Rehabilitation (Voc Rehab) Program - in Mental Health (MH) Service. Voc Rehab provided vocational services - including Transitional Work (TW} - Supported Employment (SE) - Community Based Employment Services (CBES) - and Vocational Assistance.

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 Requirement - Per VA Handbook 5005 - Part II - Chapter 3 - Section A - Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C. - chapter 73 or 74 - to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English
• EDUCATION: Applicant must possess 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)
• A transcript showing the date degree was conferred must be submitted with your application
• Certification
• Must possess a Current - full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) from the CRCC to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling
• 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-11: In addition to the Basic Requirements above you must possess: 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
• 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 (IPS) - customized employment and supported employment models and motivational interviewing skills to promote self-awareness - adjustment to disability - enhanced job retention and successful integration to the community
• Knowledge of career development processes and job analysis methodology to determine essential functions of jobs - worksite modifications and/or alternative vocational goals given the work history and residual functional capacities of individuals with disabilities
• Ability to administer and interpret a wide variety of assessment methods including transferrable skills and labor market analyses to evaluate for individual interests - aptitudes and abilities and to identify suitable vocational goals for the development of an effective individual service delivery plan
• Knowledge of marketing strategies to develop collaborative partnerships/Memorandums of Agreement within VA and local business community to enhance employment and/or work opportunities
• Knowledge of military lifestyle - specific factors - and dynamics associated with Veterans - particularly combat Veterans - to assist those who are returning to community and community based-work
• 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-11
• Physical Requirements: Must be able to pass VA requirements for operation of a government vehicle and transport of Veterans
• Will drive a government vehicle anywhere from 0-75% of the day
• Must satisfactorily complete a pre-employment physical involving light lifting and carrying (under 15 pounds) - both eyes required (20/40 vision in each eye) - ability to distinguish basic colors and shades of colors - hearing (aid permitted) - ability to fuel vehicles.

Duties

• The Rehab Counselor works with Veterans who experience functional impairments and disabilities associated with mental health - physical - and/or psychosocial challenges affecting employment - independent living - or personal adjustment
• Rehab Counselors utilize various professional counseling and clinical modalities to promote and support optimal functioning - independence - personal adjustment - adaptation to disability - community reintegration - and recovery
• They work with interdisciplinary teams to provide and coordinate a wide range of rehabilitation counseling services to Veterans with disabilities - including assessment - counseling and case management services - development of rehabilitation plans - and assistance in attaining and maintaining employment - independent living - and attaining personal goals
• Duties include but are not limited to: Provides personal adjustment counseling - therapeutic rehabilitation interventions and case coordination services - utilizing evidence-informed and evidence-based modalities to aid Veterans with severe disabilities in achieving competitive employment and educational and independent living goals
• Completes vocational assessments using medical records - pertinent disability documentation - observation and interviews with Veterans and their support systems to generate personal - vocational - and educational histories
• Consults with interdisciplinary teams (IDT) to enhance coordination of care - ensure medical clearance - and provide for optimal timing of further interventions
• Customizes vocational exploration activities for identification of self-determined rehabilitation needs and goals
• Determines clinical need and capacity to benefit from therapeutic and rehabilitation services to include work restoration/resilience treatment - transitional work placement - supported employment - assistive technology - financial benefits counseling - and potential benefits protections
• Develops recovery-oriented treatment goals and objectives to address the underlying causes and factors contributing to employment barriers in collaboration with the Veteran
• Monitors progress during sessions to inform individualized services - duration - and discharge planning
• Provides psychoeducational groups to teach effective job search skills - employer-desired soft skills and life skills fostering independence
• Assists Veterans in becoming knowledgeable about the impact of income from employment on disability and other benefits - as well as providing information on the means to access such information
• Contacts employers and appropriate Federal - state - and local employment agencies to develop or identify job opportunities for Veterans with disabilities
• Utilizes basic knowledge and skills in use of computer software applications for drafting documents - data management and tracking - entering assessments - progress notes - and other required documentation in the EHR
• Maintains a database on referrals - individual caseload - employment outcomes - community engagement - and government vehicle usage
• Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:45am- 4:30pm Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #: 61604-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized