SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHAB COUNSELOR - 48003637

State of Florida • Ocala, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling deals with counseling individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, or the stress of daily life. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement. Some positions in this occupation may be responsible for coordinating work and supervising employees.

This position is responsible for providing professional vocational rehabilitation counseling to individuals with a diversity of disabilities in order that they may attain employment and for providing and coordinating services. The incumbent of this position will access client information, maintain case records, produce correspondence, and perform other automated functions within the scope of the position's responsibilities.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in a social, behavioral or rehabilitative science, education, or related field, and one year of professional experience in counseling or in a public vocational rehabilitation program; or a master's degree from an accredited college or university in a social, behavioral or rehabilitative science or education program can substitute for one year of required experience.
• Knowledge of: The theories and practices in counseling
• The principles and techniques of effective verbal and written communication
• The methods of compiling, organizing and analyzing data
• Medical and psychological aspects of disability groups
• Interviewing techniquesAbility to:
• Interview clients in order to determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services
• Compile, organize and analyze medical and psychological data
• Provide counseling and guidance in the area of career planning
• Develop individual vocational rehabilitation programs
• Assess test results
• Plan, organize and coordinate work assignments
• Communicate effectively
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Use and analyze information from the management information system
• Understand and use State and Federal vocational rehabilitation regulations and policies
• Use automated systems

Responsibilities

• VR Client Eligibility Determination
• Assess medical, psychological, and vocational information to determine eligibility for services
• Negotiates and develops, with full participation of the customer with a disability, an Individualized Plan For Employment to determine employment outcomes
• Conducts in-depth interviews with individuals with disabilities requiring rehabilitation strategies in order to determine eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services and to determine the feasibility for achieving an employment outcome
• Provides professional vocational rehabilitation counseling to individuals with a diversity of disabilities in order that they may attain appropriate employment outcomes
• Provides information to assist individuals with disabilities in making informed choices regarding services, service providers, and employment outcomes
• Authorizes, coordinates and/or negotiates services leading to successful employment outcomesEmployment Contacts and Placement
• Develops employer contacts and serves as liaison with employers
• Develops and utilizes job placement opportunities to assist eligible individuals with disabilities to obtain appropriate employment
• Provides selective job development and placement
• Collaborates with team members in placement activities
• Utilizes the resources of community rehabilitation providers in securing appropriate job placement for eligible individuals with disabilitiesFinancial Accountability
• Manages resources to ensure financial accountability according to state and federal regulations
• Collaborates with community partners to assure appropriate use of available resources
• Continuing Education and Training
• Participates in training experiences designed to enhance professional competency in vocational rehabilitation
• Conducts client intake
• Assesses client's resources
• Performs job placement and job development activities for clients
• Performs follow-up and maintains client contact through telephone calls and home visits
• Interviews, counsels, and evaluates patients to determine individual therapeutic activity needs
• Consults with other professionals and team members concerning recommended programs
• Prepares reports on patients' progress and their reactions to various activities
• Evaluates rehabilitation therapy programs and makes recommendations for adjustment and revisions
• Conducts in-depth interviews with a diverse group of blind and visually impaired clients to determine their eligibility for rehabilitation services and the feasibility for achieving a vocational independent living or educational goal
• Determines existing problems and evaluates individual needs for achieving independence in daily living, in acquiring communication skills and/or obtaining suitable employment.
• Develops community contacts for employment opportunities, similar benefits and socialization
• Assists in the establishment of policies, standards, rules, regulations and guidelines for program planning

What This Job Offers

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