Career Center

The Rehabilitation Counselor (RC) for Mental Health Service within Psychology Service/Community Integration Section is assigned to Compensated Work Therapy. They report directly to the Community Integration Program Manager and works with a multidisciplinary clinical and administrative staff. At the full performance level, the incumbent independently provides vocational counseling, assessment, case management and psychosocial treatment both within their assigned clinic and in the community. 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: Candidates must meet one of the following requirements: 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). Certification. Current, full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) from the CRCC to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling. 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-11:: Experience. Completion of one year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. OR (2) 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. In addition to the requirements, candidates must be able to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities KSAs: 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 culture and specific factors and dynamics associated with Veterans, particularly combat Veterans, to assist those who are returning to community and community based-work. Preferred Experience: Experience working with Veterans and/or Active Duty Service members.; Experience providing vocational services to rural populations and in rural communities, along with 2 years of experience doing the following: Working with populations with serious mental illness, substance use disorders, justice system involvement and/or homelessness; Working as an employment specialist (or a related field) marketing to and developing relationships with community employers to create opportunities for employment. Collaborating with community outreach and an interdisciplinary team. Coordinating services within the VA, linking with community resources/employers to create education, training and employment opportunities for Veterans, and partnering with community service providers to advocate for Veteran employment. Tracking, analyzing, and maintaining program data/workload. Utilizing Excel and other tracking databases. References: VA HANDBOOK 5005/6 PART II APPENDIX F1 Physical Requirements: The physical demands of the work are generally minor. The work is primarily sedentary, although the stress involved in working continually with persons in emotional distress and who may be uncooperative and occasionally assaultive makes this work notably more demanding than most sedentary positions. ["Major duties for the Rehabilitation Counselor include (but are not limited to): Responsible for providing vocational counseling services to Veterans with severe mental and physical disabilities participating in the CWT program; Providing vocational rehabilitation planning, problem solving counseling, adjustment counseling, job seeking skills training, and providing supportive guidance throughout the employment process; Establishing good rapport and counseling relationship in order to work together to identify the Veteran's significant interests, aptitudes, abilities, and characteristics; Proving individual and group counseling sessions to provide program information and assistance; Conducting comprehensive initial evaluations, i.e. Vocational Assessment Profile (VAP), completes Northeast Program Evaluation Center (NEPEC) assessments, and utilizes measurement-based care (MBC) assessment tools (i.e. Anxiety, Depression, etc.); Providing an appropriate range of assessment procedures including, when indicated, interviews, tests of specific job-related skills and abilities, aptitude testing, and vocational interest testing; Assisting the Veteran in exploring and identifying psychosocial and vocational rehabilitation needs, goals, and objectives and is responsible for completing a vocational transition plan at discharge; Providing case management services including coordination of all vocational rehabilitation services, employment services, documentation of progress and adjustment, and maintenance of CPRS documentation according to VA regulations. Meeting with the veteran regularly to provide case management services including, but not limited to, budget management, referral for benefit eligibility determination crisis resolution, and health maintenance; Working closely with other services within the VA and other public and private agencies to ensure that the Veteran receives the full range of services necessary to achieve vocational rehabilitation; Developing partnerships with Vet Centers, career centers, local Disabled Veterans Outreach Programs (DVOP) specialists, VBA Rehabilitation Services, Local Veterans Employment Representatives (LVERS), and others to provide job search and job placement services; Using their knowledge of the local labor market to assist the Veteran with locating employment opportunities and potential job placement. Developing and maintaining contacts and serve as an advocate for Veterans with public and private agencies, service providers, training facilities, employers, and other community resources who may promote the rehabilitation of program participants. Assisting the Compensated Work Therapy programs in preparation and maintenance of Joint Commission (JC) and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation surveys. Work Schedule: Monday- Friday 7:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.\nTelework: Not Authorized\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]