Rehabilitation Counselor

Full Job Description

This position supports the Vocational Rehabilitation Program within the Mental Health Care Line at the Michael E. DeBakey VAMC.

The Rehabilitation Counselor provides a wide range of rehabilitation and personal adjustment counseling and case management services, including coordination of rehabilitation, training, and employment services to disabled veterans.

They assess data received from medical, psychological and vocational evaluations, and develop individualized rehabilitation plans.

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met.

Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy.

Education Requirements (1) 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 (2) 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 (3) A master's or doctoral degree in a related field of study with course content that 3 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 (4) Foreign graduates with a degree acceptable by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC).

Certification: Current, full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) from the CRCC to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling. Exceptions for Graduate RCs.

(a) RC graduates from an approved counseling or rehabilitation counseling program who otherwise meet the basic qualification requirements and the additional degree requirements for CRC certification by the CRCC, but do not possess the required certification, may be appointed, pending certification, as a graduate RC on a full-time temporary appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C.

§ 7405(a)(1)(D). OR (b) Graduate RCs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained.

OR (c) Temporary graduate RC appointments may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment.

May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria).

Grade Determinations: GS-09 Experience: None beyond the basic requirements. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs).

In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of human development and behavior, medical, psychosocial, and vocational aspects of disability and differential influences of environmental factors to assist persons with disabilities in determining suitable vocational goals.

(b) Knowledge of history, philosophy and disability rights legislation in the field of rehabilitation to apply in the practice of rehabilitation counseling.

(c) Ability to synthesize assessment and diagnosis information in conjunction with labor market trends and community/educational resources to develop an effective individual service delivery plan.

(d) Knowledge of caseload management strategies to maximize an individual's independent functioning from assessment through provision of post-employment services.

(e) Ability to employ person-centered job development strategies to facilitate successful job placement.(f) Knowledge of assessment tools and methods, functional capacity evaluations and specific vocational preparation to evaluate transferrable skills, residual capacities and needs for accommodations and assistive technology.

GS-11 Requirements: 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.

In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of physical and psychological disabilities, appropriate accommodations and assistive technology principles to mitigate and reduce or eliminate barriers to integrate into the community (b) 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.

(c) 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.

(d) 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.

(e) 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.

(f) Knowledge of marketing strategies to develop collaborative partnerships/Memorandums of Agreement within VA and local business community to enhance employment and/or work opportunities.

(g) 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 https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11.

The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-09 to GS-11.

Physical Requirements: Physical aspects associated with work required of this assignment are typical for the occupation, see Duties section for essential job duties of the position.

May require standing, lifting, carrying, sitting, stooping, bending, puling, and pushing.

May be required to wear personal protective equipment and undergo annual TB screening or testing as conditions of employment. Government vehicle operation required.

Drivers license required Major Duties:

Provide vocational rehabilitation counseling services for Veterans diagnosed with serious mental illness, substance use disorders and other disabilities and psychosocial disorders such as homelessness, criminal history, poor work history, financial limitation and lack of social support.

The RC is responsible for utilizing and serving as a champion for evidence base practices, such as supported employment, including job-crafting, job development, and job coaching, measurement based care, job search, resume writing, interviewing skills, job placement and follow along services.

The RC provides consultation and direct-care services including intakes, specialized vocational treatment planning, case management, crisis intervention, and group and individual counseling-both short and long-term.

The RC participates in training and supervision, administrative program management, and development teams and may refer patients to other programs and professionals to include other programs within the MHCL, the MEDVAMC, and Readjustment Counseling Center (Vet Center).

This community-based position may require engaging with Veterans and other stakeholders within the community.

It involves the coordination and operation of government vehicles to support various activities aimed at helping Veterans achieve and sustain competitive employment.

By incorporating evidence-based practices as outlined in the duties, the role ensures that community interventions are customized to address the specific needs of Veterans, fostering effective employment support through collaborative efforts.

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30am - 4:00pm (subject to change based on agency needs) Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position.

Functional Statement #: 02157-F and 02158-F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized