Rehabilitation Counselor

**Additional selections may be made from this announcement**

Administrative Responsibilities (10%)
- Adheres to Medical Center policies. Utilizes Automated Data Processing (ADP) system in accordance with established procedures and documents all Veteran encounters CPRS. Adheres to Medical Center ADP Security policy.
- Employee monitors and designs quality control measures in the areas of treatment services, skills, and documentation.
- Educates and orients new staff members as deemed necessary and suitable to establish and support cohesive work relationships.
- Employee will perform other administrative duties as delegated by the program director, with the primary reference of carrying out the policies and procedures of this VA HCS and the Mental Health Service Line.
- Establishes training programs to meet the vocational needs of Veterans served in the MHSL (i.e., literacy training, customer service training, effective communication, etc.). Finds suitable employment opportunities. Monitors placement, promoting successful adjustment.

Clinical Responsibilities (70%)
- Provides assessment, education, and training in resume writing, employment applications, building references, interviewing skills, work readiness skills, social skills acquisition, cultural diversity in the workplace, and career progression outlook.
- Counsels and guides Veterans with dependency, difficult emotional and economic problems through difficult transition or rough spots in the adjustment to the job. Helps the employer understand the nature of the client's limitations while maintaining a positive impression of the client's capability to succeed.
- Provide direct linkage from MHSL programs to community services that support Veterans' vocational and employment goals.
- Develop strategies to engage Veterans who may be reluctant to actively pursue employment or risk a reduction of benefits.
- Support Veterans in all work related tasks, including but not limited to, transportation, on the job training, support with co-workers and supervisor negotiations, ongoing and follow along supports, and compliance with specification of appropriate clinical support(s).
- Provide clinical services and appropriate clinical documentation. Ensure timely and accurate entry into VA data systems and review the data to improve performance and delivery of services to Veterans.
- Contributes actively to multidisciplinary treatment team meeting where clinical concerns, strategies, progress, and needed support are shared by treatment team members. This is includes contributing to treatment plans in the required computer programs (e.g., MH Suite).
- Develops training strategies to motivate Veterans who have been out of the work arena for some time to gain the necessary work habits needed to return to competitive employment; to consider the difficulty in employment placement based on their disability; and assigns Veteran to training program(s) that best meets their needs.

Other Key Responsibilities (20%)
- Pursues employment contacts for community jobs and small business opportunities based on and supports individual Veterans' interest. This includes knowledge of companies and/or agencies that work with individuals with complex legal histories.
- Coordinates with various resources to locate a training facility in the community that meets the Veterans' needs.
- Establishes training programs to satisfy common needs of the client base (i.e., literacy training, customer service training, effective communications, etc.). Finds suitable employment opportunities. Monitors placement, promoting successful adjustment.
- Ability to complete a worksite analysis and negotiate reasonable work accommodations and/or modifications to meet the Veterans' needs.
- Maintains day-to-day contact with potential employers, placement personnel, or other likely placement resources. Oversees the placement program, evaluates the results of the program, and makes sound professional arguments for recommended changes. Reports program progress in accordance with established procedure(s). The Incumbent must be skilled in marketing Veterans to potential employers based on their current skills and abilities.
- Communicates vocational rehabilitation strategies and Veteran's progress to the team. Participates in appropriate job-related training opportunities as offered and recommended by the supervisor.
- Notifies and obtains approval from the Supervisor regarding any significant modifications to the placement contract prior to its implementation. Evaluates the results of the program and makes sound professional arguments for recommended changes.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: Monday through Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm
Telework: Ad-hoc Available
Virtual: This is not a virtual position.
Functional Statement #: 58011F
Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized