Independent Living Counselor
About The Position
The Independent Living Rehabilitation Counselor serves individuals who are visually impaired, blind, or deaf-blind and need individualized services to maintain independence at home and in the community. Many individuals served are over age 55. Program services help people adapt to sensory loss, reduce isolation, participate in meaningful activities, and reduce risks such as injuries, depression, and nursing home placement. The counselor conducts outreach, assesses applicants, interprets eye reports, determines eligibility, and works with clients to develop service plans with independent living objectives. The role provides guidance and counseling, referrals, instruction in daily living skills, budget oversight, vendor hiring and training, group-training coordination, and community-partner relationship development. The position is with the North Carolina Division of Services for the Blind, within the Department of Health and Human Services, and is funded in part through federal funds.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling from an appropriately accredited institution; or a master’s degree in a related human services field from an appropriately accredited institution; or current Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certification from the Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification.
Nice To Haves
- Knowledge of or experience in case management.
- Knowledge of or experience working with people with disabilities.
- Knowledge of or experience working with a team of professionals to help a client meet a goal.
Responsibilities
- Conduct community outreach to identify individuals who may need program services.
- Complete comprehensive assessments of applicants.
- Interpret eye reports to determine the level of visual impairment and assist in planning appropriate services.
- Determine eligibility for services.
- Collaborate with clients to develop service plans with specific independent living objectives.
- Provide guidance and counseling throughout the case management process.
- Refer clients to internal staff, other agency programs including Vocational Rehabilitation, and external resources needed to achieve planned goals.
- Provide one-on-one and group instruction in basic daily living skills, including adaptive technology, cooking, personal care, and communications.
- Manage a budget and ensure expenditures meet policy guidelines.
- Hire and train vendors to serve as Daily Living Skills Instructors.
- Coordinate in-person or virtual group training.
- Develop and maintain relationships with community partners to best serve clients.
Benefits
- Health insurance options
- Standard and supplemental retirement plans
- NCFlex pre-tax benefits
- Paid vacation leave
- Paid sick leave
- Community service leave
- Paid parental leave for eligible employees
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
