Summary

Rehabilitation Counselor will work at the Chattanooga VA Clinic under the Tennessee Valley Healthcare System. Rehabilitation Counselors in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) work with persons who experience functional impairments and disabilities associated with mental health - physical - and/or psychosocial challenges affecting employment - independent living - or personal adjustment. Assigned within VHA Vocational Rehabilitation Services providing Supported Employment.

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:

• Citizenship
• Candidates must be a citizen of the United States
• Non-citizens may be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified candidates in accordance with38 U.S.C. § 7407(a)
• 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)
• 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)
• 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
• OR (4) Foreign graduates with a degree acceptable by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC)
• 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: GS-11 Rehabilitation Counselor Experience
• Completion of one year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled
• OR 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 Certification
• Current - full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) from the CRCC to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling
• In addition to experience - the candidate must demonstrate the following KSAs: 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 lifestyle - specific factors - and dynamics associated with Veterans - particularly combat Veterans - to assist those who are returning to community and community based-work
• Reference: For more information on this qualification standard - please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/
• The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11
• Physical Requirements: Physical demands of the work are generally minor and are generally sedentary in nature but will require moderate travel into the community
• Physical activity involves sitting - standing - walking - bending - stooping - climbing stairs - and carrying light items such as papers - books or other supplies
• The incumbent uses a computer and standard office equipment to complete tasks
• The emotional demands can be stressful in working with the Veteran/Patient population and their families/caregivers
• A level of self-awareness is essential
• Driver's License Requirement: A current - valid state issued Driver's License is required for this position
• NOTE: We cannot accept photographs - therefore
• please do not submit a copy of your license with your application package
• If an interview is requested - you will be required to provide a copy of your current - valid state-issued Driver's License.

Duties

• Serves as a journey level Rehabilitation Counselor providing personal adjustment counseling - therapeutic rehabilitation interventions - and case coordination services
• Uses evidence-informed and evidence-based modalities to aid Veterans with severe disabilities - such as physical - psychosocial - psychological - or neurological barriers - integrate successfully into the community
• Serves Veterans who have myriad barriers to overcome and achieve competitive employment - educational - and independent living goals
• Provide a variety of professional rehabilitation counseling services such as personal adjustment counseling - therapeutic rehabilitation interventions and case coordination services - utilizing evidence-informed and evidence-based modalities and professional counseling practices to aid Veterans with severe disabilities in achieving competitive employment and educational and independent living goals
• Uses effective counseling skills to promote self-awareness - adjustment to disability - enhanced job retention and successful integration into the community
• Conduct biopsychosocial assessments using medical records - pertinent disability documentation - observation and interviews with Veterans and their support systems to generate personal - vocational - and educational histories
• Determine clinical need for and capacity to benefit from therapeutic and rehabilitation services to include work restoration/resilience treatment - transitional work placement and/or competitive employment - assistive technology - financial benefits counseling - and potential benefits protections
• Develop patient-centered treatment plans utilizing Specific - Measurable - agreed upon - Realistic - and Time-based (SMART) goals and provide ongoing assessment of Veteran's progress
• Transports veterans to provide job development
• job analysis and other vocational services
• Procures and manages transitional work agreements from community - state - and federal agencies
• Monitors worksite compliance with agreements to ensure Veterans are appropriately trained and evaluated consistent with industry standards
• Provide disability education and program-specific training to staff and stakeholders
• Communicates appropriately with community health care professionals to provide useful input to other team members and employers concerning the Veteran and the family's psychosocial needs
• Provides professional recommendations and guidance regarding the 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
• Work Schedule: 7:30am - 4:00pm - Monday - Friday Telework: Ad-Hoc Virtual: This is not a virtual position
• Functional Statement #:71190F Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not authorized