Rehabilitation Counselor

About the Role

A Rehabilitation Counselor (Rehab Counselor) helps people with disabilities live independently and reach their full potential, often with a focus on employment. They assess client needs, develop individualized rehabilitation plans, and provide guidance and support to help participants overcome challenges related to their disabilities.

Responsibilities

• Performs rehabilitation casework at a beginning professional level with supervisory review to enable individuals with disabilities (e.g., learning disabilities, epilepsy, personality disorders, mood disorders, serious burn victims, orthopedic impairments, intellectual and developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries) to successfully interface with their social and vocational environments.
• Assesses functional limitations and vocational potential of eligible rehabilitation consumers, interpreting psychological and specialized medical information, and utilizing comprehensive vocational evaluation assessments, with supervisory review.
• Counsels consumers, family members, and significant others regarding physical restoration, prognosis implications, and social/psychological adjustments to facilitate independence; arranges for ancillary services as needed.
• Provides counseling, guidance, training, vocational alternatives, and placement services to achieve the consumer’s individualized rehabilitation goal, adhering to all state and federal laws, regulations, and agency policies.
• Conducts less complex psychosocial evaluations with supervisory review to assess rehabilitation problems and needs.
• Develops knowledge of medical aspects of disabilities, including consequences, complications, functional problems, and social implications.
• Formulates and monitors contractual agreements for individualized plans based on each consumer’s specific disability, interests, skills, and goals, with supervisory review.
• Assists in conducting workshops and provides individual counseling to improve interpersonal skills, understand the labor market, and achieve gainful employment or self-sufficiency.
• Develops knowledge of therapeutic modalities to remove or accommodate disabilities using physical/mental restoration, adaptive devices, etc.
• Interprets medical and psychological information to assess physical and mental capabilities, medical aspects of disabilities, and their social implications.
• Collaborates and consults with other agencies, health professionals, educators, vocational evaluators, and community leaders to achieve each consumer’s rehabilitation plan.
• Develops and maintains knowledge of labor market information to assist consumers with job placement; confers with employers to establish job opportunities.
• Aids consumers in securing employment consistent with their goals.
• Maintains required documentation of casework activities and ensures confidentiality of case information.
• Supervises paraprofessional staff in completing caseload support duties, evaluates performance, and provides guidance.
• Makes referrals to appropriate agencies and providers; documents and follows up promptly to ensure services are in place.
• Responds to participant referrals and needs promptly; empowers participants and families to be actively involved.
• Keeps accurate and up-to-date client records and documentation per LRS guidelines.
• Participates in public relations activities to orient and market program services to the public, including Easterseals activities as requested.
• Provides input and assistance in preparing program reports and state-required reports; ensures coordination with other Easterseals staff.
• Consistently participates in staff meetings to maintain open communication.
• Attends training, including in-state travel with possible overnight stays and out-of-state travel; performs field travel requiring a valid driver’s license.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree plus one year of experience in rehabilitation services, social services, administrative services, therapy services, or nursing; OR
• A bachelor’s degree in a rehabilitation field, social sciences, social work, education, nursing, health and human services, speech therapy, or business administration; OR
• A master’s degree.
• Own reliable transportation for regular participant visits, current driver’s license, and insurance.
• Willing and able to travel during the day to outlying parishes as required.
• Ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in standard office software (e.g., Word, Excel) and computer literate.
• Team player, supportive of all team members.
• Must complete all training set forth by the State of Louisiana and pass any required certification testing.

Skills

• Problem Solving/Decision Making: Assess needs and determine a course of action to meet them.
• Monitoring: Track participant progress and respond to unmet needs.
• Planning: Establish objectives, implement plans, anticipate obstacles, and consider alternatives.
• Action Orientation: Take initiative and attempt to influence events to achieve goals.
• Work Commitment: Willingly commit extra effort and time; identify with organizational goals; exhibit strong time management.
• Oral and Written Communication: Professional, grammatically correct communication in both written and verbal forms.
• Building Relationships: Establish rapport with provider agencies, staff, and other program personnel.
• Team Playing: Work cooperatively with other Easterseals supervisors and staff.
• Mission Advocacy: Identify with project and Easterseals objectives; communicate these constructively.

Physical Requirements

• Regularly required to operate a computer, type documentation, file and retrieve written documents, and communicate via phone and in person.
• Frequently required to walk, sit, use hands, and lift/move lightweight items.
• Ability to move independently within the facility and the community, with or without accommodation.