Vocational Rehab Counselor

JOB PURPOSE 

The Vocational counselor is responsible for coordinating and providing vocational rehabilitation and other employment-related services for a 100-bed residential, trauma-informed, modified therapeutic community for residents being treated for substance use disorder. Services that will be provided are individual and group counseling, referring clients to employment and skills-based training services, legal services as well as budgeting  

SCOPE OF INFLUENCE

• Direct client interaction ages 18 and up
• Global Vocational Services, will work with all 3 elements of treatment; stabilization, rehabilitation, and reintegration
• Partners with internal and external stakeholders

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

Counseling/Career Counselling

• Conduct a comprehensive vocational assessment that includes a complete history of employment, training and education activities, comprehensive self-directed search, and the evaluation of the client’s capacity to function
• Utilize the results of the comprehensive vocational/educational assessment to develop with the client a vocational rehabilitation plan and provide and/or coordinate those activities to help the client achieve their goals
• Provide ongoing individual and group counseling; to help clients make appropriate vocational decisions and assist them toward their established goals
• Provide follow-up and post-placement services to clients who are engaging in internships and apprenticeships, competitively employed, or attending educational and or skills training activities
• Provide counseling on budgeting
• Teach and practice job skills such as interviewing, resume writing, and networking
• Evaluate client's educational and work backgrounds in order to help them determine what they need to do next to achieve their goals
• Help clients select the right schools or programs for the individuals needs including sources of financial support
• May work in a team capacity for crisis intervention
• Assist residents in managing outstanding loans and fines
• Communicate with the interdisciplinary team about the client's vocational goals and progress
• Function as an integral member of the interdisciplinary treatment team and participate in case conferences and team meetings

Referrals

• Develop and maintain linkages with community-based educational, vocational, employment, and support service resources
• Refer  clients to appropriate vocational and educational service providers in the community 
• Refer clients to the appropriate legal services such as the Legal Action Center, Family Court

Administrative/Documentation

• Keep concise and accurate case records of the client’s status and progress; prepare required report forms and keep statistics on patient contacts, referrals and employment, etc.
• Maintain monthly statistics in conformance with the OASAS Vocational Services Work scope performance objectives and reporting requirements;
• Communicate employment status with the administrative department to support resident’s compliance with an employment verification form
• Maintain documentation and monitor resident’s adherence to school and work schedules; reporting any deviation to the clinical and behavioral teams
• Assist clients in obtaining all identifications 
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Other

• Attend weekly staff meetings
• Attend training as required
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Required Knowledge

Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling or Counseling, CRC Preferred

• One year of experience in career counseling of clients with substance abuse disorders
• Bachelor’s degree with five years' experience in a residential setting, in pursue of Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and CRC.
• One (1) year of related work experience in a Residential Therapeutic Community setting is strongly preferred. 
• Knowledge of strengths-based counseling, cognitive-behavioral treatment, and behavior modification in practice
• Weekend availability required.
• Ability to multitask and handle challenging situations in a professional and courteous manner
• Ability to work professionally and empathetically with a diverse group of clients and staff.
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with a broad variety of people, including other team members and management.  
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and confidentiality. 
• Competency with computer-based programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook email, Relias, and Electronic Health records    

Role Key Competencies

Team Player

Flexible

Adaptable

Communication

Planning and Organizing

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a teammate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach, stoop kneel to perform duties.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision requirements due to computer work and the ability to observe, perceive, identify any safety or behavioral concerns while on-premises.
• Light to moderate lifting is required
• Ability to uphold the demands of working with residential clientele who have a significant history of trauma, substance use disorder, and mental health conditions. 
• Regular, predictable attendance and punctuality is required 

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those teammate encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phones, and printers, moderate traffic).
• Ability to work in an open or confined area
• Ability to sit at a computer terminal, stand, or walk for an extended period.