Rehabilitation Counselor

Veterans Health Administration • Los Angeles, CA

19h • Onsite

About The Position

The Rehabilitation Counselor position is located in the Mental Health Service, within the Vocational Rehabilitation services, of the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare system (VAGLAHS). The assigned Rehabilitation Counselor works with persons who experience functional impairments and disabilities associated with mental health. The Mental Health - Vocational Rehab program helps Veterans with disabilities and mental health challenges achieve employment, independence, and personal goals through recovery-oriented vocational counseling, assessment, and support services.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job.
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
• Must be proficient in written and spoken English.
• Subject to background/security investigation.
• Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process.
• Acceptable form(s) of identification will be required to complete pre-employment requirements.
• Effective May 7, 2025, driver's licenses or state-issued identification cards that are not REAL ID compliant cannot be utilized as an acceptable form of identification for employment.
• Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP).
• Complete all application requirements detailed in the "Required Documents" section of this announcement.
• As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1 or 2-year trial period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest.
• 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).
• Applicants must hold a current, full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) from the CRCC to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling.
• Completion of one year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled.
• OR 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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Providing personal adjustment counseling, therapeutic vocational rehabilitation interventions, and case coordination services.
• Using recovery-oriented, evidence-informed, and evidence-based clinical vocational rehabilitation modalities to aid patients with mild to severe disabilities, such as multiple medical or physical, psychosocial, psychological, or neurological barriers.
• Conducting vocational rehabilitation assessments using medical records, pertinent disability documentation, observation and interviews with patients and their support systems to generate personal, vocational, and educational histories.
• Consulting with interdisciplinary teams to enhance coordination of care, ensure medical clearance, and provide for optimal timing of further interventions.
• Providing psychoeducational and/or psychotherapeutic groups to facilitate effective job search skills, employer-desired soft skills, work, and life skills fostering independence and recovery.
• Devising solutions to reduce and/or eliminate barriers and meet patient's placement needs.
• Providing job development, customized employment, job carving, job coaching, job accommodation, advocacy, and adaptation services to patients and to educate and support employers as well as school or education stakeholders.

Benefits

• A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package.
• As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.
• Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level