This position serves as a Polytrauma Supervisory Rehabilitation Counselor with responsibility for providing oversight to subordinate Rehabilitation Counselors and other assigned Vocational Rehab Service staff, and for administratively planning and directing their work in accordance with the VHA Directive 1163. This position is the focal point for organizing, implementing, and evaluating employment and vocational rehabilitation services within the STAR Program.

Duties

Duties include but are not limited to: Administrative Duties (25%): Oversees the therapeutic modalities of the VR component, Vocational and Educational Assistance services, and vocational rehabilitation or employment service provided by the STAR program. Plans work to be accomplished by subordinates (as applicable, subordinates are at the discretion of the PM&RS service Chief). Sets and adjusts short-term priorities and prepares schedules for completion of work. Assigns work to subordinates based on priorities, selective consideration of the complexity of clinical cases, and the capabilities of employees. Develops realistic performance improvement standards and quality assurance efforts. Evaluates the work performance of subordinates (as applicable). Identifies the developmental and training needs of subordinate Rehabilitation Counselors. Identifies ways to improve productivity and quality of the work directed. Serves as the Affiliate Coordinator for Graduate Trainee Educational Affiliation Agreements and directs clinical trainee program for trainees in Rehabilitation Counseling assigned to the STAR VR program. Provides advice, counsel, or instruction to Rehabilitation Counselors on both clinical and administrative matters. Oversees attendance and leave, including approval of sick and annual leave and vacation schedules. Interviews candidates for positions in the STAR VR service and participates on interview panels for all vocational rehabilitation positions within the program; recommends appointments; promotions; or reassignments of positions. Develops continuing education opportunities, conducts formal peer reviews, and reviews and concurs on all vocational rehabilitation research projects. Informs higher-level management of anticipated vacancies or increases in workload. Recommends promotions, reassignments, performance ratings, and retention or release of probationary employees or other changes of assigned Rehabilitation Counselors. Effects minor disciplinary measures such as warnings and reprimands. Recommends more serious complaints to higher management. Resolves informal complaints of employees and interacts with union representatives on personnel matters. Ensures compliance with applicable federal and/or state laws, regulations, agency rules, standards, and guidelines. Plans, organizes, directs, coordinates, trains, and assists in the implementation of existing and new agency programs and policies. Develops and implements training material for individual, workgroup, and service levels. Clinically and administratively address and resolve Veteran concerns, complaints, grievances, and appeals. Analyze formal complaints to identify trends and develop quality improvement plans accordingly. Clinical Duties as Assigned (75%): Provides clinical expertise through the timely application of therapeutic interventions, case coordination, crisis intervention, interdisciplinary team consultation, rehabilitation plan development, and ongoing assessment and job development practices. Reviews medical, psychological, vocational, and educational data to maximize the independence and employability of Service Members and Veterans with personal, social, and vocational barriers as a result of medical, mental health, or psychosocial impairments. Supports informed decision-making while using professional judgment and counseling skills to assist the Veteran in identifying suitable competitive employment and placement opportunities. Conducts a skillful analysis of their abilities, aptitudes, strengths, needs, preferences, disability conditions, and resulting impairments to guide Veterans with severe disabilities and employment challenges in achieving their goals. Provides psycho-educational and/or psychotherapeutic groups to facilitate effective job search skills, employer-desired soft skills, and work and life skills fostering independence and recovery. Collaborates with the appropriate professionals to provide rehabilitation services, including the assessment of vocational interests, aptitude, and abilities by using clinical tests, observations, interviews, evaluations, and specialized vocational assessment instruments. Consults with interdisciplinary teams 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. Completes various quality assurance and improvement activities to improve the services provided. Work Schedule: 8-4:30; Monday-Friday Telework: Ad Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized

Requirements

Qualifications

Basic 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: 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). Certification: Current, full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) from the CRCC to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling. Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Supervisory Rehabilitation Counselor, GS-12 Experience. Completion of one year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: Ability to supervise (e.g. plan, direct, oversee, review work of subordinate staff), assess employee strengths, opportunities for growth, and qualifications to accomplish program goals, adapt work operations, and guide staff. Knowledge of labor/management agreements to effectively manage issues and concerns. Knowledge of applicable accreditation bodies (i.e. Joint Commission and Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) and their standards to ensure continuous compliance. Theoretical and practical knowledge of a range of rehabilitation delivery systems for the development, implementation, management and growth of rehabilitation programs and services. Knowledge of business administration practices such as managing participant payroll, accounting, budget planning, to successfully operate a rehabilitation program. References: VA Handbook 5005/133; Part II, Rehabilitation Counselor Qualification Standard GS-648, Appendix G62 dated July 21, 2020. Preferred Experience: Evidence of experience relevant to working with individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and/or polytrauma injuries. Experience providing services to Department of Defense Special Operations Forces (SOF) and/or certification as a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS). Supervisory experience. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-12. Physical Requirements: Light lifting: under 45 pounds; straight pulling (up to 1 hour); pushing ( 1 - 2 hours); reaching above shoulder; use of fingers; walking (up to 3 hours); standing (up to 3 hours); repeated bending (up to 1 hour); ability for rapid mental and muscular coordination simultaneously; near vision and far vision correctable in one eye to 20/20 and to 20/40 In the other; both eyes required for depth perception; ability to distinguish basic colors, ability to distinguish shades of colors, hearing (aid permitted); climbing stairs; mentally alert; and frequent keyboarding to operate a computer

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html.

Contacts

• Address Central Virginia VA Health Care System 1201 Broad Rock Boulevard Richmond, VA 23249 US
• Name: Ryan Leash
• Phone: 980-401-2554
• Email: [email protected]