Career Center

The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) will report to the Mental Health Product Line, Compensated Work Therapy Programs at the Monroe Outpatient Clinic in Monroe, La. 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. (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 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). (b) Graduate RCs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. (c) Temporary graduate RC appointments may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, RCs must actively pursue meeting prerequisites for certification starting from the date of their appointment. This includes working towards completion of CRCC's required acceptable employment experience and completing required CRCC documentation to verify employment experience and supervision by a CRC. At the time of appointment, the RC supervisor will provide the RC with the written requirements for certification, including the time by which the certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to become certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0101 RC series and may result in termination of employment. Loss of Certification. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment Grandfathering. 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: Rehabilitation Counselor, 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 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: 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. References: July 21, 2020 VA Handbook 5005/133 PART II APPENDIX G62 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: Work is sedentary but also demands standing, walking, bending, twisting, and carrying light items. ["The VRC carries out all duties related to attaining and maintaining competitive employment for Veterans. Veterans are assigned to his/her caseload through the Compensated Work Therapy program. The focus is to promote optimal vocational functioning of Veterans within the community, in the context of prescribed job development interventions specified in the Veterans' treatment plans. All duties performed should be consistent with the individual treatment plans and coordinated through and with the clinical team. CWT Program Services staff are supervised by the Compensated Work Therapy Program Coordinator. The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) Is assigned to one of the components of the Compensated Work Therapy Program and has responsibility for utilizing best practices to assist Veterans to return to community living and competitive employment. Duties include but not limited to: provides employment services to Veterans and works directly with Veterans who have been referred for assistance with employment. provides therapeutic employment services (skills training and development services, employment support services, and job development and placement services) to Veterans in need of rehabilitation for mental health disorders, PTSD, and substance use disorders; and Veterans with co-occurring physical disorders, such as Spinal Cord injury (SCI) Polytrauma, and Traumatic Brain injury (TBI). works closely with members of the interdisciplinary team including Physicians, Therapists, Social Workers, HUDNASH VA Case Managers, Grant and Per Diem Liaisons, and other care providers within the VA facility and community-based service providers. works directly with community agencies, and community employers with the goal of assisting Veterans in obtaining and maintaining suitable employment. required to adapt the best practices of CWT to meet the needs of Veterans. responsible for interviewing Veterans referred to the CVVT program (via medical orders and SF 513 consult with appropriate clearance to work in the community), and for developing a vocational assessment to identify individual strengths and areas of vocational interests. utilize motivational interviewing techniques to ensure the highest level of services. utilizes gathered information to assist the Veteran in identifying occupational areas in which they would like to target their job search activities. provide assistance with job seeking skills and strategies as needed. responsible for assisting Veterans in understanding financial benefits entitlement programs and housing eligibility requirements and the effects of working on their entitlement. monitor the Veteran's progress provide feedback and provide any assistance in the job seeking process. responsible for collaborating with local university to establish agreement for Counseling student interns to assist with caseload management provide onsite support or training to the Veteran. Supervision of the individual while in training and/or during adjustment to the job involves responsibility for counseling and otherwise helping the Veteran resolve his/her personal problems (e.g., family relations difficulties, employer-employee misunderstandings, emotional depression, financial difficulties). Other duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 7:30 am - 4:00 pm\nTelework: Available\nVirtual: This is not a virtual position.\nFunctional Statement #:000000\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required"]