Rehabilitation Counselors in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) work with persons who experience functional impairments and disabilities associated with mental health, Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), physical, and/or psychosocial challenges affecting employment, independent living, or personal adjustment.

Duties

Rehabilitation Counselors utilize various professional counseling and clinical modalities to promote and support optimal functioning, independence, personal adjustment, adaptation to disability, community reintegration, and recover. Rehabilitation Counselors work with an interdisciplinary team to provide and coordinate a wide range of rehabilitation counseling services to Veterans with disabilities, including assessment, counselling and case management services, development of rehabilitation plans, and assistance in attaining and maintaining employment, independent living, and attaining personal goals. Rehabilitation Counselors are nationally certified as Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC) and be State licensed as Licensed Professional Counselors. Rehabilitation Counselors may be designated as a licensed independent provider (LIP) when they hold State licensure and are included as a LIP in their VA medical center bylaws. In this role, the Rehabilitation Counselor will operate within the Compensated Work Therapy - Supported Employment (CWT-SE) model under the umbrella of the Vocational Rehabilitation Service and ultimately the Recovery Services Program. CWT-SE is a clinical model that helps individuals with serious mental illness or physical impairments co-occurring with mental illness engage in competitive employment in the community. This position will place additional emphasis on serving individuals with co-occurring mental health and Substance Use Disorders (SUDs). The SE-SUD rehabilitation counselor is a key treatment team member focused on employment issues. Typically, 60 to 75 percent of the SE-SUD rehabilitation counselor's time is spent in the community providing employment services, engaging with Veterans, developing jobs, and supporting employers and Veterans. The SE-SUD rehabilitation counselor helps Veterans find jobs appropriate for their interest and abilities as quickly as possible, identifies and addresses employment barriers, facilitates workplace accommodations, and provides ongoing community support as needed. The SE-SUD rehabilitation counselor interacts with businesses for competitive job development, job matching and employment services, and communicates with employers, the community, treatment staff, and Veterans and their families. The SE-SUD rehabilitation counselor has an active caseload of 20 to 25 Veterans at any time. Supported Employment services entail assessment, job development, job matching, job placement, employer contacts, and on the job support, as well as crisis management by the SE-SUD rehabilitation counselor and mental health support teams. The SE-SUD rehabilitation counselor has the authority to develop partnerships with both public entities and private sec businesses, working closely with the VA Contracting Official to ensure appropriate MOUs and MOAs are in place. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8 AM - 4:30 PM Telework: Not Available Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

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. 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. English Language Proficiency: Must be proficient in written and spoken English 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) Directory - CACREP. If your 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). Regional Accrediting Organizations | Council for Higher Education Accreditation (chea.org) 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 Regional Accrediting Organizations | Council for Higher Education Accreditation (chea.org). OR (4) Foreign graduates with a degree acceptable by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Home - CRCC COMMISSION ON REHABILITATION COUNSELOR CERTIFICATION (crccertification.com). Certification. Current, full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) from the CRCC to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling. Exceptions for Graduate RCs. (a) 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). (b) Graduate RCs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. (c) 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: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Rehabilitation Counselor, GS-09 (1) Experience. None beyond the basic requirements. (2) 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: (a) 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. (b) Knowledge of history, philosophy and disability rights legislation in the field of rehabilitation to apply in the practice of rehabilitation counseling. (c) 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. (d) Knowledge of caseload management strategies to maximize an individual's independent functioning from assessment through provision of post-employment services. (e) Ability to employ person-centered job development strategies to facilitate successful job placement. (f) 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. (3) GS-9 Assignment. Employees at this level serve as entry level RCs. Provide vocational and personal adjustment counseling, case management and transferrable skills analyses to aid Veterans with severe disabilities in pursuit of their self-determined employment, educational and independent living goals. Conduct assessments through record reviews, observations and interviews with Veterans and their support systems to generate and document personal, vocational and educational histories. Customize evaluation of abilities, aptitudes, interests, values and preferences. Assist Veterans in vocational exploration activities to include informational interviews and labor market research. Examine the impact of employment income on Veteran's benefits. In coordination with Veteran's interdisciplinary teams (IDT), develop and amend patient-centered treatment plans utilizing specific, measurable, agreed upon, realistic and time-based (SMART) goals. Promote employment programs to community employers to establish relationships that will result in providing work opportunities for Veterans with significant behavioral, physical, emotional and/or cognitive challenges under the general supervision of certified RCs. Conduct outreach and job development to match Veterans strengths to local workforce needs. Facilitate job placement for Veterans by teaching valuable job search skills, resume/application development, interview skills and basic computer skills. Coordinate transportation to interviews/hiring events. Complete job analyses to facilitate job coaching and retention services to aid Veterans in learning and maintaining proficiency in performance of essential job tasks. Counsel Veterans regarding importance of soft skills (e.g. personal hygiene, cooperation with coworkers, and following instructions) when employed to enhance job satisfaction and foster natural supports in the workplace. Coordinate job search clubs for Veterans to improve in self-directed job search activities. Complete clinical charting and participate in professional peer reviews. Qualifications are continued in the Education section of this announcement.

Education

Qualifications Continued:

Rehabilitation Counselor, GS-11

(1) Experience. Completion of one year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled.
OR
(2) 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.

(3) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities. In addition to the experience above, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs:
(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.

References: VA Handbook 5005 Part II, Appendix G62, Rehabilitation Counselor Qualification Standard, date July 21, 2020.

Physical Requirements: There are no set physical requirements for this occupation. The ability to communicate and cognitive/mental stability will be needed to perform the duties of this position.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience, in an official capacity, providing vocational rehabilitation services
• Experience providing community-based case management/clinical services
• Experience working with an integrated disciplinary mental health clinical
  team
• Experience in leading and/or contributing to programmatic components (i.e.,
  development) of service
• Experience building community partnerships in formal position
• Experience providing recovery-oriented substance abuse treatment services

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) Directory - 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). Regional Accrediting Organizations | Council for Higher Education Accreditation (chea.org)
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 Regional Accrediting Organizations | Council for Higher Education Accreditation (chea.org).
OR
(4) Foreign graduates with a degree acceptable by the Commission on Rehabilitation
Counselor Certification (CRCC) Home - CRCC COMMISSION ON REHABILITATION COUNSELOR CERTIFICATION (crccertification.com).

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.

Note: If your school has changed names, or is no longer in existence, you must provide this information in your application.

Note: If your school was accredited by a body recognized by, CACREP Directory - CACREP the U.S. Department of Education at the time of graduation but is no longer listed on the Department of education website http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/, you must provide documentation of accreditation with your application packet.

Contacts

• Address VA TX Valley Coastal Bend HCS 2601 Veterans Drive Harlingen, TX 78550 US
• Name: VISN 17 SSU USAS Group
• Email: [email protected]