The Rehabilitation Counselor position is located at St. Cloud VA, in the Mental Health Service Line, within Rehabilitation Services or Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation program. The incumbent is assigned rehabilitation duties throughout the hospital, its clinics, and within the community. BASIC REQUIREMENTS: (a) United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. (b) English Language Proficiency: Per VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Chapter 3, Section A, Paragraph 3j: No person will be appointed under authority of 38 U.S.C., chapter 73 or 74, to serve in a direct patient-care capacity in VHA who is not proficient in written and spoken English. (c) Education Requirement: 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). (d) Certification: Current, full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) from the CRCC to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling. Exception for Graduate RCs: 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). Graduate RCs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. Temporary graduate RC appointments may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. 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-09: (a) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Knowledge of human development and behavior, medical, psychosocial, and vocational aspects of disability and differential influences of environmental and cultural factors to assist persons with disabilities in determining suitable vocational goals. Knowledge of history, philosophy and disability rights legislation in the field of rehabilitation to apply in the practice of rehabilitation counseling. Ability to synthesize assessment and diagnosis information in conjunction with labor market trends and community/educational resources to develop an effective individual service delivery plan. Knowledge of caseload management strategies to maximize an individual's independent functioning from assessment through provision of post-employment services. Ability to employ person-centered job development strategies to facilitate successful job placement. Knowledge of assessment tools and methods, functional capacity evaluations and specific vocational preparation to evaluate transferrable skills, residual capacities and needs for accommodations and assistive technology Rehabilitation Counselor, GS-11: (a) Experience: Completion of one year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. OR (b) 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. AND (c) 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: VA Handbook 5005 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 in the range of GS-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: Light lifting and carrying up to 15 pounds to lift items such as books, binders, reports and records. ["Functions/Duties. a. Provides personal adjustment counseling, therapeutic rehabilitation interventions, and case coordination services, utilizing evidence-based and evidence-informed modalities, to aid Veterans with severe mental and/or physical health disabilities in achieving competitive employment and educational and independent living goals. b. Establishes good rapport and counseling relationships in order to work together to identify the Veteran's significant interests, aptitudes, abilities, and characteristics. c. Conducts assessments (e.g., Vocational Assessment Profile using medical records, pertinent disability documentation, observation, and interviews with Veterans and their support systems to generate personal, vocational, and educational histories. d. Conducts comprehensive initial evaluations, adhering to all policies/procedures! standards pertaining to consult management. e. Completes and enters Northeast Program Evaluation Center assessments as applicable and needed. f. Selects, administers, and interprets an appropriate range of vocational and educational assessment procedures, to evaluate abilities, aptitudes, interests, values, preferences, transferrable skills, and overall work resilience. g. Provides high quality assessment and consultation reports, as indicated, in a timely manner that adhere to Joint Commission/CARF standards. i. Consults with interdisciplinary teams to enhance coordination of care, ensure medical clearance, and provide for optimal timing of further interventions. j. Determines 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, reasonable accommodations, benefits counseling, and potential benefits protections. k. Develops patient-centered vocational rehabilitation treatment plans utilizing SMART goals and provides ongoing assessment of Veteran's progress, using measurement based care instruments as indicated. I. Conducts outreach and job development to match Veterans strengths to local workforce needs. m. Facilitates job placement for Veterans by teaching valuable job search skills, resume/application development, interview skills, and basic computer skills. n. Completes job analyses to facilitate job coaching and retention services to aid Veterans in learning and maintaining proficiency in performance of essential job tasks. o. Counsels Veterans regarding importance of soft skills (e.g., personal hygiene, cooperation with co-workers, and following instructions) when employed to enhance job satisfaction and foster natural supports in the workplace. p. Provides psychoeducational groups to teach effective job search skills, employer-desired soft skills, and life skills fostering independence. q. Documents all vocational rehabilitation services in CPRS, including progress and adjustment and treatment plan updates, according to standards and directives, policies, and procedures. r. Consistently demonstrates the promotion of Veteran recovery through meaningful, competitive employment in the community, and adheres to the practice standards and benchmarks established by VACO. s. Provides direct support services to Veterans in order to help in their development and maintenance of community based employment and/or education. t. Provides on-site job analysis, consultation, and recommendations for work site and job modification, when appropriate. u. Establishes and maintains contact with state vocational rehabilitation agencies/offices, private employers, state and local employment offices, Social Security Administration, and VBA Regional Offices. v. The incumbent is responsible for developing partnerships with Vet Centers, career centers, local Disabled Veterans Outreach Programs specialists, VBA Rehabilitation services, Local Veterans Employment Representatives. w. With approval/oversight by the Manager, may develop and participate in outreach activities to inform Veterans, and other internal and external stakeholders about STCVAHCS Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Work Schedule: M-F 7:30-4:00 or 8:00-4:30 evenings and weekends maybe required. Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required"]
Providing Health Care for Veterans: The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,255 health care facilities, including 170 medical centers and 1,074 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
