REHABILITATION COUNSELOR MENTAL HEALTH DEFINITION:
Under supervision of a supervisory official in the Department of Human Services and Department of Health, provides counseling services to a varied population of mental health clients requiring rehabilitative services over an extensive period of time; assists clients to identify and obtain the necessary training and related services for their vocational rehabilitation; assists clients and employers in obtaining suitable employment or employees; does other related duties.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Coordinates vocational training and other services for a caseload of mental health clients requiring varied rehabilitation, vocational training and other related services.
Interviews clients to obtain relevant information regarding medical history, work experience, education background, interests, and socioeconomic history; disseminates information to client regarding vocational rehabilitation policies and procedures and other available services.
Obtains and evaluates relevant documentation to determine client eligibility for services according to established federal, state, and agency policy and guidelines.
Evaluates capabilities and develops the comprehensive case management plans for client rehabilitation; identifies client's social, emotional, or behavioral dysfunctions, physical limitations, and nature and extent of employment problems and learning disabilities.
Counsels disabled clients to develop vocational goals based on disability, and assists them to address problems of personal, social, economic, and vocational adjustment.
Reviews and evaluates diagnostic data to determine the nature and extent of a client's disability, and refers client for additional psychological, medical, physical, or education evaluation as deemed necessary.
Assesses vocation or occupation interests of clients, and identifies and arranges for formal and informal education and vocation programs and other necessary training.
Recommends caseload expenditures for the purchase of diagnostic and other case services necessary for the medical, physical and emotional rehabilitation of the client, and identifies client's case management needs.
Evaluates client's job readiness, assists client to develop and improve job seeking skills, arranges for job placement, prepares client for job interview, and monitors client in job placement.
Conducts employer focused activities for the hiring of clients and advocacy efforts regarding job site modifications, hiring and job retention.
Assembles and maintains vocational information, study materials, and other relevant materials, and disseminates, organizes, and interprets appropriate materials for use by client.
Keeps current with laws and regulations involving client population.
Conducts casework and other field visits to provide, evaluate, or coordinate necessary services.
Develops, organizes, and maintains a referral network, and provides client with referrals to other appropriate programs, services, or resources.
Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with other organizations and agencies whose functions or services interact with those needed by the client.
Provides information to the public regarding the vocational rehabilitation activities of the agency.
Evaluates the progress and effectiveness of client's individualized program, identifies and recommends changes as required, and evaluates improvements in the client's physical and/or psychological condition.
Identifies the need for and provides post employment services to client.
Prepares reports and correspondence.
Establishes and maintains records and files.
Analyzes and interprets caseload information as required.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
Five (5) years of professional experience in vocational/rehabilitational guidance or counseling, other related guidance and counseling, or social or medical casework in a rehabilitation agency, facility or other social program designed to increase the employability or social productivity of clients, including or supplemented by twenty-four (24) semester hour credits in a combination of any of the following areas: Vocational Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Vocational Guidance, Special Education or related areas.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university including or supplemented by twenty-four (24) semester hour credits in a combination of any of the following areas: Vocational Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Vocational Guidance, Special Education or related areas; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience.
OR
Possession of a Master's degree in Vocational Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Vocational Guidance, Special Education or related areas.
NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that us creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgement and make accurate and informed decisions.
LICENSE
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of the types of vocational/rehabilitational programs needed for clients.
Knowledge of the medical, physiological, psychological, socioeconomic, vocational, and other problems of mental health clients.
Knowledge of the vocational possibilities, potentials, and limitations of the client population served.
Knowledge of counseling techniques.
Knowledge of the assessment techniques used to evaluate a client's occupational knowledge, skills, and abilities, and readiness for employment.
Knowledge of the assessment techniques used to identify a client's vocational rehabilitation needs, and of the methods used to develop an individualized program.
Ability to read and interpret laws, rules, and regulations affecting clients, and apply them to specific situations.
Ability to identify and coordinate the varied medical, vocational, training, and other services required for the rehabilitation of clients.
Ability to interview clients, evaluate cases, and provide guidance and counsel to clients.
Ability to evaluate relevant documentation used to make eligibility determinations.
Ability to identify a client's capabilities and limitations, and develop the plans necessary for client rehabilitation.
Ability to review and evaluate diagnostic data used to determine the nature and extent of a client's disability, and to identify client's case management needs.
Ability to assess the vocation or occupation interests, capabilities, and limitations of clients, and to identify and arrange for the programs and training necessary for client rehabilitation.
Ability to counsel clients to develop vocational goals.
Ability to evaluate clients' job readiness, and assist them to develop and improve their job seeking skills.
Ability to assemble, maintain, disseminate, and interpret vocational information.
Ability to develop, organize, and maintain a referral network used to provide clients with appropriate services and other resources.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those organizations and agencies whose functions or services interact with those needed by the client.
Ability to evaluate the level of improvement in a client's condition, and evaluate the progress and effectiveness of the client's individualized program.
Ability to prepare reports and correspondence.
Ability to establish and maintain records and files.
Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
