Rehabilitation Counselor

US Department of Veterans Affairs; Veterans Administration (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Department of Veterans Affairs seeks a Rehabilitation Counselor (GS-11) to support Veterans in VA Health Care settings. Candidates must hold CACREP/CHEA credentials as described and CRC certification, with experience applying evidence-based counseling approaches such as IPS and customized employment.

Knowledge of military culture and veteran transitions is essential. Qualification includes one year of professional experience at the next lower grade or a doctoral degree in a related

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from CACREP-accredited program (or CACREP-equivalent if prior to 2017).
• Master’s degree in counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from CHEA-accredited college/university.
• Master’s/doctoral degree in related field with rehab, disability, health, or employment content from CHEA-accredited institution.
• Foreign graduates with a degree acceptable by the CRCC.

Skills

Disabilities knowledge

Counseling theory

IPS & employment models

Career development

Assessment methods

Partnership development

Veterans/military dynamics

Education

CACREP-accredited master’s in rehabilitation counseling

CHEA-accredited master’s in counseling or rehab counseling

CHEA-accredited related-field master’s/doctoral with rehab content

CRCC foreign-credential acceptance

Job description

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

Citizenship: Citizen of the United States.

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.

Applicants must hold a current, full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) from the CRCC to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling.

Grandfathering Provision. All individuals employed as RCs within VHA on the effective date of this qualification standard are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series, and grade held including positive education and certification.

GRADE DETERMINATIONS

GS-11 Rehabilitation Counselor

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:

• 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 Rehabilitation Counselor Qualification Standard.

The full performance level of this position is 11.

Physical Requirements: Light lifting (under 15 pounds); light carrying (under 15 pounds); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; both hands required; walking; standing; hearing (aid permitted).