Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Alight Solutions; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Alight Solutions is seeking an experienced Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to support employees unable to work due to disability, illness, or injury. The role focuses on promoting optimal vocational functioning, assessing abilities and data to determine suitable work options.

You will collaborate with claims teams, coordinate external vocational services, and help develop transitional return-to-work plans across client sites.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling (CORE) required.
• CRC certification by CRCC required.
• 3+ years of experience as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, disability claims, and ADA/SSDI.
• Experience with vocational assessments and transferable skills analysis.

Responsibilities

• Interview employees for vocational assessment information.
• Perform comprehensive file reviews including vocational assessments and transferable skills analyses.
• Identify suitable alternative occupations matching claimant skills, aptitudes, and abilities.
• Review return-to-work opportunities via triage.
• Co-manage claims related to returning to work with healthcare providers and employers.
• Document activities and develop rehabilitation plans; coordinate external vocational services.
• Consult with claims teams and participate in client presentations or implementations.
• Arrange referrals for evaluations and standardized testing.
• Identify barriers to employment and develop transitional return-to-work plans.
• Organize and update personnel and medical records.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Customer service

Multitasking

Education

M.A./M.S./M.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling (CORE)

Tools

TSA software

LMS platforms

Dictionary of Occupational Titles

Job description

Amazing Opportunity and Great Place to Work!

Are you an experienced Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with knowledge and expertise within absence management for an employer.

Our Story

At Alight, we believe a company's success starts with its people. Alight embraces values that come directly from our people - purposeful, human, united and growth-minded - reflecting our inclusive culture and promise that our clients expect. We are passionate about connecting purpose with impact. Alight empowers clients to build a healthier and more financially secure workforce by unifying the benefits ecosystem across health, wealth, wellbeing, navigation, and absence management.

Our Benefits

With a comprehensive total rewards package, Alight offers programs and plans that support your mind, body, wallet, and life. Benefits include health, dental and vision coverages starting Day One. Additionally, Alight colleagues enjoy wellbeing programs, retirement plans with contribution matching, generous time off, parental leave, continuing education, and career growth opportunities - all within a thriving global organization.

Flexible Working

So that you can be your best at work and home, we consider flexible working arrangements wherever possible. Alight has been a leader in the flexible workspace and Top 100 Company for Remote Jobs 6 years in a row.

Great Place to Work

Thanks to the work of every colleague, Alight has received multiple awards of recognition including Great Place to Work for the past 7 years and Fortune's Best Companies to Work For. To learn more about our company culture and awards Click Here.

About the Role

This role is to provide support for employees who are unable to work. This can be due to disability, illness, or injury. The focus is on promoting their optimal vocational functioning, whether on a permanent or temporary basis. You will assess functional abilities and vocational data to assess alternative work options and employability.

Responsibilities

• Conducting interviews with employees for the purpose of obtaining information for vocational assessment purposes.
• Leveraging advanced skills to perform comprehensive file reviews. This includes vocational assessments, and transferable skills analyses with vocational software and the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. Determine appropriate alternative occupations that match claimants' skills, aptitudes, and physical/mental abilities.
• Performing triage reviews per employer-based triage report specifications to review for return-to-work opportunities.
• Co-managing claims related to returning to work as per employer business requirements. This will include reaching out to healthcare providers and employers. This is done to facilitate transitional work release and secure accommodations.
• Documenting activities and providing transferable skills and alternative occupations. This may include work/production expectations, barriers for return to work and necessary accommodations/modifications.
• Coordinating external vocational services such as ergonomic assessment, career exploration, job development, and placement. This involves working with vendor vendors or state vocational rehabilitation agencies.
• Consulting with claims teams and managers on file direction. Conduct three-point contact as needed.
• Participating in sales presentations or client implementations as needed.
• Arranging for referrals to evaluations and standardized testing including physical, psychological, neuropsychological, academic and vocational testing. This is to obtain pertinent information to assess employee's needs and to develop their rehabilitation plans.
• Identifying barriers to employees' employment, including inaccessible work sites, inflexible schedules, and transportation issues. Your focus will be on developing strategies to overcome these barriers and creating transitional return-to-work plans.
• Organizing and updating records, including personal, vocational, and eligibility information of employees. It also includes managing medical records and correspondence, as well as documenting services provided and employee contacts.

Requirements

• Have M.A./M.S./M.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling from a Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE).
• Hold current certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).
• Three + years of experience employed as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.
• Demonstrate knowledge of medical terminology, disability claims, and insurance industry practices, Social Security Disability and ADA laws.
• Have proficiency in use of various TSA and LMS based programs. Be able to develop customized individualized rehabilitation programs for LTD claimants.
• Demonstrate ability for exertion of up to 10 pounds. Performing sedentary work, which involves sitting, walking, or standing.
• Have ability to travel for client meetings.
• Demonstrate exceptional communication, organizational, customer service, and analytical skills.
• Display efficient abilities in multitasking and adaptability in task management. The ideal candidate must handle time-sensitive tasks promptly and prioritize work independently.
• Have ability to work independently with minimal supervision, using experience and judgment to achieve goals. Additionally, they should collaborate effectively within a diverse team.

Our commitment to Inclusion

We celebrate differences and believe in fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported. We know that diverse teams are stronger, more innovative, and more successful.

At Alight, we welcome and embrace all individuals, regardless of their background, and are dedicated to creating a culture that enables every employee to thrive. Join us in building a brighter, more inclusive future.

Equal Opportunity Policy Statement

Alight is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not discriminate against anyone based on sex, race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, marital or domestic partner status, citizenship, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristics or conduct covered by federal, state, or local law. In addition, we take affirmative action to employ disabled persons, disabled veterans, and other covered veterans.

Alight provides reasonable accommodations to the known limitations of otherwise qualified employees and applicants for employment with disabilities and sincerely held religious beliefs, practices and observances, unless doing so would result in undue hardship. Applicants for employment may request reasonable accommodations/modifications by contacting their recruiter.

Authorization to work in the Employing Country

Applicants for employment in the country in which they are applying (Employing Country) must have work authorization that does not, now or in the future, require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the Employing Country and with Alight.

We offer you a competitive total rewards package, continuing education & training, and tremendous potential with a growing worldwide organization.

Salary Pay Range

Minimum: 62,000.00 USD

Maximum: 85,000.00 USD

Pay Transparency Statement: Alight considers a variety of factors in determining whether to extend an offer of employment and in setting the appropriate compensation level, including, but not limited to, a candidate's experience, education, certification/credentials, market data, internal equity, and geography. Alight makes these decisions on an individualized, non-discriminatory basis. Bonus and/or incentive eligibility are determined by role and level. Alight also offers a comprehensive benefits package; for specific details on our benefits package, please visit: Wellbeing and Benefits Selector Page - Alight

Note, this job description does not restrict management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities of this job to other entities; including but not limited to subsidiaries, partners, or purchasers of Alight business units.

Alight Solutions provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical condition, veteran, marital, parental, citizenship, or domestic partner status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state or local law. Alight Solutions is committed to a diverse workforce and is an affirmative action employer.