What does a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor do?
Vocational rehabilitation counselors interview and assess patients with disabilities or other vocational difficulties to determine their employment readiness and the type of work that best suits their skills and qualifications. They are hired by counseling centers and medical facilities and report to a case manager or program coordinator. They sometimes travel to medical facilities, group homes, and individual patient homes as part of their regular workload.
Vocational rehabilitation counselors evaluate patients by studying their qualifications, strengths, and weaknesses to help determine suitable employment for them. They assess patients’ skills and viability for the workforce to determine if they are ready for part-time or full-time employment positions. They follow up with patients and record and add notes to their files to maintain a current record after every session with their patients and provide group and individual job counseling. They maintain reports for insurance companies that note ongoing progress and changes to the patient's condition. Vocational rehabilitation counselors need a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or related fields of study.
- Monitor, evaluate, and track client progress with respect to relevant goals in an accurate and timely manner.
- Develop, implement, and monitor Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE) through onsite visits, job fairs and career seminars.
- Evaluate client work capacities, provide assistive technology services and administer tests to determine vocational aptitudes, interests, abilities, and potential of clients.
- Coordinate the vocational program in the absence of/or as requested by supervisor.
- Arrange individual and group activities to aid clients to achieve service goals.
- Administer functional skills analysis, review and analyze assessment tests, interview and conduct observations, develop plans, partner with service providers and provide access to successful job placement.
- Attend integration function provided for the individuals as necessary.
- Monitor on-site job coaching and recommend assistive devices for program and/or service use.
- Provide monthly summary of client progress.
- Bachelor's Degree in business, engineering, or psychology.
- Strong command of English language and good communication skills.
- Solid leadership, time management, and problem solving skills.
- Comfortable serving in an advocacy role.
- Understanding of HIPAA regulations and other privacy mandates.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Salaries near Ireland
Average Base Pay
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Career Path
Learn how to become a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Insights
J Kelly & Associates“Good hourly pay but you will have mandatory overtime which is fine because you'll love your paycheck”
Paycom“If you are starting your career in Project Management this place would be an excellent place to start.”
Conservice“I Love working at Conservice because of the best communication care that is demonstrated during my training the trainers wants everyone to win”
“I did not make a fair and decent wage.”
Dialogue“Not the best group insurance benefits (but not terrible either)”
Commonwealth of Kentucky“I eventually left because I couldn't afford to live on a $30k salary as a single mom.”
Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation“I enjoyed some of the people I worked with as well as some of the clients I assisted.”
State of Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services“Enjoyable job if you like working with and helping people.”
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Interviews
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
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