Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
A Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, also known as a rehabilitation or employment specialist, plays a crucial role in supporting individuals with disabilities in achieving independence and gaining employment. These professionals provide job training and placement services, assisting clients who may have disabilities from various origins, including congenital conditions, illnesses, or accidents. Counselors work within a framework established by laws such as the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which ensure the rights and support for those with disabilities.
Typically holding a master’s degree, these counselors engage directly with clients to assess their needs and develop tailored rehabilitation plans that may include job recommendations and training programs. Their work environment is diverse, ranging from rehabilitation facilities to schools, mental health institutions, and private practices. The role requires strong interpersonal skills, problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to advocating for clients from various backgrounds.
Vocational rehabilitation counselors often work flexible hours, reflecting the demands of their caseloads and the needs of their clients. Their responsibilities include client evaluations, assisting with job applications, and coordinating with community agencies to facilitate support services. Overall, vocational rehabilitation counselors are essential in helping individuals with disabilities navigate the challenges of entering or re-entering the workforce.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Human Services
Interests: Social work, Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Counseling
Earnings (Yearly Median): $44,040 per year $21.17 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 2% (As fast as average)
Entry-Level Education Master's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Vocational rehabilitation counselors, also called rehabilitation or employment specialists, provide job training and job placement support services to individuals with disabilities. In general, vocational rehabilitation counselors work to help their clients become more independent, employable, and productive. Vocational rehabilitation counselors support clients with disabilities present since birth or impairments resulting from illness, disease, addiction, accident, or injury. For instance, individuals experiencing joblessness or employment challenges related to HIV/AIDS, schizophrenia, or intellectual disability may be eligible for vocational rehabilitation counseling as required under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Veterans are eligible for vocational rehabilitation counseling through the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) VetSuccess Program. Vocational rehabilitation counselors offer various counseling services, including overseeing job training and vocational counseling programs and creating rehabilitation plans for clients.
Work Environment. Vocational rehabilitation counselors spend their workdays seeing clients in various settings, including public or private rehabilitation facilities, mental health facilities, schools and universities, insurance companies, job training and placement programs, prisons and hospitals, and private counseling practices. Vocational rehabilitation counselors may have an office or may travel to see clients. Given the diverse demands of rehabilitative counseling, vocational rehabilitation counselors may need to work days, evenings, weekends, and on-call hours to meet client or caseload needs.
Occupation Interest. Individuals drawn to the vocational rehabilitation counseling profession tend to be intelligent and socially conscious and able to quickly assess situations, find resources, demonstrate caring, and solve problems. Successful vocational rehabilitation counselors display traits such as time management, knowledge of human behavior, initiative, and concern for individuals and society. Vocational rehabilitation counselors should find satisfaction in spending time with a wide range of people, including those considered at-risk and those from diverse cultural, social, and educational backgrounds.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. A vocational rehabilitation counselor’s daily duties and responsibilities are determined by the individual’s job specifications and work environment.
A vocational rehabilitation counselor works closely with clients to assess needs and provide assistance. They first must undertake client evaluations to assess mental, academic, and vocational aptitude, work history, and job readiness. The vocational rehabilitation counselor then works with clients to develop counseling goals and objectives into individualized plans. The counselor recommends jobs, professions, and training programs to clients, oversees client job search efforts, and assists clients with employment applications. Vocational rehabilitation counselors and clients also collaborate to resolve work-related problems, such as transportation difficulties or scheduling conflicts.
Vocational rehabilitation counselors may provide additional services depending on client needs. These can include helping clients attain assistive devices, such as wheelchairs, that enable independence and employment, organizing on-site job training, leading workshops for clients in residential facilities, and helping clients arrange transportation to and from work.
A vocational rehabilitation counselor liaises between clients, community agencies, and employers. Vocational rehabilitation counselors must participate in client team meetings and provide client updates to supervisors and client families. They also develop connections and familiarity with local employment agencies and refer clients to community services or agencies as needed. They may also negotiate job modifications for their clients.
All vocational rehabilitation counselors ensure that rehabilitation programs meet the requirements of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. In addition, all vocational rehabilitation counselors are responsible for daily completing client records and required documentation, such as referral and insurance forms.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. The immediate physical environment of vocational rehabilitation counselors varies based on their caseload and specialization. Vocational rehabilitation counselors spend their workdays seeing clients in various settings, including public or private rehabilitation facilities, mental health facilities, schools and universities, insurance companies, job training and placement programs, prisons and hospitals, and private counseling practices.
Human Environment. Vocational rehabilitation counselors interact with many people and should be comfortable meeting with colleagues, staff, client families, incarcerated people, and people with mental, physical, and emotional disabilities.
Technological Environment. Vocational rehabilitation counselors use computers and telecommunication tools to perform their jobs. Vocational rehabilitation counselors must be comfortable using computers to access client records and create reports. They may drive cars to client homes and facilities and use cell phones to ensure availability during on-call hours.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. High school students interested in pursuing a career as a vocational rehabilitation counselor should prepare themselves by developing good study habits. Coursework in foreign languages, public safety, sociology, psychology, and education can provide a strong foundation for college-level work in the vocational rehabilitation counseling field. Due to the range of vocational rehabilitation counseling job requirements, high school students interested in this career path may benefit from seeking internships or part-time work that exposes the students to diverse groups of people and social needs.
Postsecondary. Postsecondary students interested in becoming vocational rehabilitation counselors should work toward an undergraduate degree in counseling or a related field such as psychology or social work. Coursework in education, public safety, and foreign languages may also prove useful in their future work. Postsecondary students can gain work experience and potential advantage in their future job searches by securing internships or part-time employment in job training programs or with individuals or groups with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities. Interested college students should consider applying to master’s degree programs.
Related Occupations
− Career/Technology Education Teacher
− Social Worker
− Special Education Teacher
− Substance Abuse Counselor
Bibliography
"Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023 21-1015 Rehabilitation Counselors." US Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 3 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211015.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.
"Rehabilitation Counselors." Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/rehabilitation-counselors.htm. Accessed 27 Aug. 2024.