Vocational Counselor

Responsibilities

• Treatment, including work and educational history and evaluates clients' job readiness and job search skills.
• Utilizes the results of assessment to develop with clients vocational/educational goals and objectives and provides and/or coordinates those activities which will help clients achieve identified goals of securing employment and/or education.
• Communicates assessment information with VCRs at client’s treatment program.
• Provides on-going individual and group counseling to help clients make appropriate vocational/employment decisions, obtain job readiness/employment, and maintain employment.
• Assists clients in obtaining appropriate identification.
• Conducts virtual vocational seminars and group sessions to assist clients with vocational/employment decisions, to develop soft skills and job readiness skills.
• Conducts Comprehensive Vocational Assessments for all clients transferring within the agency for Reintegration/Re-Entry Services.
• Utilizes the results of the comprehensive assessment to develop, with clients, updated vocational/educational goals and objectives.
• Prepares required reports and keeps statistics on clients vocationally assessed and services provided.
• Prepares required reports and keeps statistics on client participation in work related activities and employment.
• Ensures maintenance of accurate, complete, timely and high-quality client records that comply with external regulatory standards and agency policy and procedure.
• Complies with 42 CFR confidentiality and HIPAA privacy and security regulations.
• Functions as an integral member of the treatment team by participating in case conferences, team meetings, treatment planning meetings, in-service training, workshops, etc.
• Provides follow-up and post-job placement support services to clients including linkages to transitional benefits.
• Develops and maintains linkages with community based educational, remedial, vocational, employment and support resources.
• Adheres to all responsibilities and duties of a New York State mandated reporter.
• Performs other duties as requested.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services or related field such Psychology, Sociology, or Counseling.
• Minimum One (1) year demonstrated experience in an agency providing vocational rehabilitation counseling to substance users and/or clients in other types of behavioral healthcare settings.
• Must possess strong vocational assessment, individual and group vocational/job preparation skills.
• Working knowledge of substance abuse treatment modalities and client self-help/support modalities.
• Strong writing skills; competencies in writing comprehensive educational/vocational assessments and progress notes.
• Available to work a flexible schedule as needed in response to participant and staff needs.
• Computer literacy including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and EMR.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Team player and ability to work independently.