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Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) in the VHA Vocational Rehabilitation Program within the Community Outreach Division of Social Work Service at the Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center located in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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. 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. Specialized Experience. Completion of one year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. OR Additional 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 experience above, the candidate must demonstrate, in their resume, all of the following Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: (a) Knowledge of physical and psychological disabilities, appropriate accommodations and assistive technology principles to mitigate and reduce or eliminate barriers to integrate into the community. (b) 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. (c) 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. (d) 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. (e) 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. (f) Knowledge of marketing strategies to develop collaborative partnerships/Memorandums of Agreement within VA and local business community to enhance employment and/or work opportunities. (g) 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. 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). Preferred Experience: experience in providing Vocational Rehabilitation services; experience working with individuals with substance use disorders References: VA Handbook 5005/133 PART II APPENDIX G62 The full performance level of this vacancy is GS 11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is GS 11. Physical Requirements: The work is primarily sedentary, however incumbent should be able to perform prolonged walking and standing necessary to conduct worksite visits, employer tours, etc. Incumbent must possess a valid driver's license in order to transport Veterans in government vehicle to interviews, tours, etc. with employers or other community resources. ["Duties of the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor are to include, but not limited to: a. Provides personal adjustment counseling, therapeutic rehabilitation interventions, andcase\ncoordination services, utilizing evidence-based and evidence-informed modalities, to aid\nVeterans with severe mental and/or physical health disabilities in achieving competitive\nemployment and educational and independent living goals.\nb. Establishes good rapport and counseling relationships in order to work together to identify\nthe Veteran's significant interests, aptitudes, abilities, and characteristics. The goal is to\nprovide the individual with the data needed to make a realistic life decision.\nc. Conducts biopsychosocial assessments (e.g., Vocational Assessment Profile [VAP]) using\nmedical records, pertinent disability documentation, observation, and interviews with\nVeterans and their support systems to generate personal, vocational, and educational\nhistories.\nd. Conducts comprehensive initial evaluations, adhering to all policies/procedures/ standards\npertaining to consult management.\ne. Completes and enters Northeast Program Evaluation Center (NEPEC) assessments, and\nutilizes MBC assessment tools (e.g., PEBS, EHS, etc.), as required by the JCAHO/CARF,\nVHACO, RLR VA Medical Center, SW Service, and/or Indianapolis VHA VR Program.\nf. Selects, administers, and interprets an appropriate range of vocational assessment\nprocedures, to evaluate abilities, aptitudes, interests, values, preferences, transferrable skills,\nand overall work resilience. Vocational assessment procedures include but are not limited to\ninterviews, tests of specific job-related skills and abilities, aptitude testing, and vocational\ninterest testing.\ng. Provides high quality assessment and consultation reports, as indicated, in a timely manner\nthat adhere to Joint Commission/CARF standards and VACO/RLR VA Medical Center/ SW\nService/Indianapolis VHA VR Program directives/policies/procedures.\nh. Customizes vocational exploration activities for identification of self-determined\nrehabilitation needs and goals.\ni. Consults with interdisciplinary teams (IDT) to enhance coordination of care, ensure medical\nclearance, and provide for optimal timing of further interventions.\nj. Synthesizes assessment information to identify barriers to employment and their vocational\nimplications.\nk. Conducts suicide risk screenings/assessments as indicated and in accordance with\nVACO/VISN/RLR VA Medical Center/Social Work Service/Indianapolis VHA VR Program\npolicies/procedures.\nl. Determines clinical need for and capacity to benefit from therapeutic and rehabilitation\nservices, to include work restoration/resilience treatment, transitional work placement and\ncompensation, supported employment, assistive technology, financial benefits counseling,\nand potential benefits protections.\nm. Develops patient-centered vocational rehabilitation treatment plans utilizing SMART goals\nand provides ongoing assessment of Veteran's progress, using VHACO, RLR VA Medical\nCenter, and/or Indianapolis VHA VR Program identified measurement-based care (MBC)\ninstruments asindicated.\nn. Promotes employment programs to community employers to establish relationships that will\nresult in providing work opportunities for Veterans with significant behavioral, physical,\nemotional, and/or cognitive challenges.\no. Conducts outreach and job development to match Veterans strengths to local workforce\nneeds. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm, No Weekends/Holidays\nCompressed/Flexible: Available for highly qualified applicants\nTelework: Available for highly qualified applicants\nVirtual: This is not a virtual/remote position.\nFunctional Statement #:91231-A\nRelocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized\nPermanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized\nFinancial Disclosure Report: Not required\nTravel: Required, must be able to operate a government owned vehicle"]