The Rehabilitation Counselor (RC) is located within the Vocational Rehabilitation Service which is a part of the Mental Health Service Line at the Tomah VA Medical Center. 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: Education: 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). Note: If the degree was granted prior to 7/1/2017, the program must be accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education. Transcripts Required. 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). Transcripts Required. 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. Transcripts Required. OR Foreign graduates with a degree acceptable by Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). Transcripts or other documentation required. Certification: Current, full and unrestricted certification as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling. Copy of Certification Required. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements above the following is the amount of experience or education required to qualify for this position at the GS-11 grade level. GS-11 Level Experience: Completion of one-year (1) year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (GS-9) directly related to the position being filled. OR GS-11 Level 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 crediting body accredited by CHEA.In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, candidates must demonstrate 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: VA Handbook 5005/133, Part II, Appendix G62, Rehabilitation Counselor Qualification Standards, 7/21/2020. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019 ["The Rehabilitation Counselor at the full performance level, GS-11 grade level provides personal adjustment counseling, therapeutic rehabilitation interventions and case coordination services, utilizing evidence-informed and evidence-based modalities to aid Veterans with severe disabilities in achieving competitive employment and educational and independent living goals. The duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:: Conducts biopsychosocial assessments using medical records, pertinent disability documentation, observation and interviews with Veterans and their support systems to generate personal, vocational, and educational histories. Selects, administers and interprets vocational instruments to evaluate abilities, aptitudes, interests, values, preferences, transferrable skills and overall work resilience. Customizes vocational exploration activities for identification of self-determined rehabilitation needs and goals. Consult with interdisciplinary teams (IDT) to enhance coordination of care, ensure medical clearance, and provide for optimal timing of further interventions. Synthesize assessment information to identify barriers to employment and their vocational implications. Determine clinical need for and capacity to benefit from therapeutic and rehabilitation services to include work restoration/resilience treatment, transitional work placement and compensation, supported employment, assistive technology, financial benefits counseling and potential benefits protections; Develop Veteran-centered treatment plans utilizing SMART goals and objectives. Provide consultation, education, and reports of veteran progress to staff of area(s) or program(s) to which the incumbent is assigned.-Monitor work site compliance with agreements to ensure Veterans are appropriately trained and evaluated consistent with industry standards. Devise solutions to reduce and/or eliminate barriers and meet Veterans' placement needs which may require substantial modification to environmental or functional demands within a work setting.-Assist Veterans with use of computer for resume creation, job searching, and online job applications. Establish and maintains effective professional relationships with other VA staff and community providers. Complete interpretive data reports. Provide disability education and program-specific training to staff and stakeholders. Participate in program evaluation and improvement efforts, especially for accrediting bodies such as The Joint Commission and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities. May procure and manage transitional work agreements from community, state and federal agencies. May provide psychoeducational groups to teach effective job search skills, employer-desired soft skills and life skills fostering independence. May provide consultation, training, and/or supervision to entry level Rehabilitation Counselors, staff, students and interns.-May provide vocational assistance and/or Job Club for Veterans not enrolled for VHA-VR services. Accepts additional assignments as determined by the Program manager. Work Schedule: Full Time, Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm Telework: Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000/Rehabilitation Counselor Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,298 health care facilities, including 171 medical centers and 1,113 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
