SENIOR REHABILITATION COUNSELOR

Code: 03562 Unknown Unknown

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under direction, provides counseling services to severely disabled applicants requiring complex rehabilitative services over an extended period of time and/or takes the lead over one or more Rehabilitation Counselors; does related work as required.

Examples of work

Services a complex caseload of severely disabled clients, requiring extensive and ongoing rehabilitation counseling for which multiple services need to be developed implemented, and coordinated. Organizes and plans a diagnostic process in which information will be secured to obtain relevant documentation for the determination of client's eligibility for services. Evaluates and interprets sophisticated data resulting from diagnostics such as psychological tests, psychiatric evaluations, medical records, specialty exams, and prevocational programs, including extended evaluations to determine eligibility; makes presentations to medical, psychiatric and dental consultations regarding feasibility of services planned. Organized a complete and multi-service rehabilitation program for the severely disabled and develops individualized written rehabilitation programs designed to make the client vocationally rehabilitated. Makes complex determinations of eligibility based on established policy for the severely disabled and multiple handicapped clients. Counsels client in formulating viable vocational goals based upon disability and employment handicap, and to assist the individual in meeting problems of personal, social, economic and vocational adjustment. Authorizes all caseload expenditures, including the purchase of diagnostics and case services such as prosthetic devices, vocational education and training, and medical and health services necessary for physical and/ or mental restoration. Disseminates information to client regarding vocational rehabilitation policies and procedures, and services available to client. Interviews applicants who suffer form physical and/ or mental handicaps and determines their particular mental and physical attributes, emotional adjustments, education, abilities, aptitudes ,and vocational choices, qualifications, and capabilities in order to plan and put into effect programs of rehabilitation and training designed to help such persons to become employable. Trains Rehabilitation Counselors. Counsels individuals throughout the rehabilitation process and assists them in facing and solving personal, social and vocational problems while developing an individual rehabilitation plan. Observes and evaluates the counseling activities conducted by Rehabilitation Counselors. Maintains cooperative relationships with community agencies to insure referrals and obtain suitable employment and follows up with clients to assist them in projecting skills and abilities. Provides the severely disabled individual with job seeking skills necessary to obtain suitable employment and follows up with clients to assist them in projecting skills and abilities. Takes the lead within the work unit for the provision of all post-employment services to clients who have been placed in employment and need short-term special services. As assigned, supervises the activities of rehabilitation aides assisting in providing support services and activities to the severely disabled caseload. Maintains proper case recording procedures for clients being serviced in severely disabled and post-employment cases. Obtains needed services by the most economical means possible and assists in securing scholarships, arranging for local clinical services and using all community resources in the provision of services. Provides services to applicants within the prescribed budgetary limitation of the office and according to the prescribed fees or allowed cost outlined in agency schedules. Drafts necessary correspondence pertaining to caseload and services. Maintains accurate and necessary records as prescribed in department and agency policies and procedures. Recommends the purchase of rehabilitation services for severely disabled including medical and health services, the purchase and supervision of the use of prescribed prosthetic devices, and prevocational and vocational training; makes arrangements for transportation and maintenance. Accumulates information concerning the applicant's hospital and medical history, education and work background, interests, social and economic circumstances, personality traits and aptitudes; and schedules psychological and other tests and assures their proper interpretation. As needed, makes visits to client's home, hospital, or other facilities in order to provide or evaluate the need for services, or to coordinate post-employment services. Takes the lead over Rehabilitation Counselors in organizing assigned counseling work and developing effective work in accordance with established procedures. Reviews and analyzes case records, monthly reports submitted by the staff and takes appropriate action to remedy problem areas and makes appropriate recommendations to the supervisor concerning administration of the work unit. Reviews and approves invoices submitted by the unit and approves unit diagnostic and service plans. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

knowledge of the psychological, socio-economic, vocational and other problems of persons who are severely handicapped, and of the vocational possibilities, potentials and limitations of such persons. knowledge of and familiarity with the laws of New jersey and the standards, policies and regulations of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services pertaining to vocational rehabilitation and their interpretation and application in accordance with established procedures. knowledge of vocational opportunities in New Jersey and of the education, specialized training, aptitudes, capabilities, and other requirements to perform them. knowledge of the use, limitations and advantages of modern prosthetic devices. knowledge of the various provisions of the Social Security Act. knowledge of the Federal Program Regulation Guides for case services. knowledge of vocational trends and professional literature. knowledge of medical terminology. knowledge of legal terminology. Ability to use the techniques of modern vocational guidance, counseling and testing in individual programs. Ability to assess the vocational and rehabilitation capabilities and limitations of applicants effectively and to utilize community and other resources in a comprehensive plan of rehabilitation services. Ability to evaluate complex cases and to provide advice and counsel to clients. Ability to collect basic information concerning individual applicants, the preparation of case histories, and the fullest use of such information in planning individual rehabilitation programs and plans. Ability to gain the interest and assistance of prospective employers and government officers in the training and employment of handicapped persons. Ability to make determinations of eligibility for severely disabled clients. Ability to effectively impart job seeking skills to clients and to take the lead in overseeing post-employment services provisions. Ability to oversee and direct the activities of an assigned work unity including the training, assignment, and evaluation of professional staff. Ability to review and analyze case records and monthly reports submitted by assigned staff. Ability to effectively advise the staff of the work unit in the methods, techniques, and decisions reached in providing agency services. Ability to oversee and conduct post-employment services for clients. Ability to develop the skills of Rehabilitation Counselors and make appropriate recommendations to the Supervisor concerning the administration of the activities of the work unit. Ability to work harmoniously with clients, superiors, subordinates and those concerned with the vocational rehabilitation of handicapped workers. Ability to comprehend and interpret basic law, rules, regulations, standards and policies to the local office staff and to others of varied ethnic, educational, social and vocational backgrounds. Ability to take the lead over support staff and develop effective services to clients. Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of the position. Communication may include such forms as American Sign Language or Braille. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Six (6) years of professional experience in rehabilitation counseling, including or supplemented by twenty-four (24) semester hour credits in rehabilitation counseling, or guidance and counseling, or psychology. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented twenty-four (24) semester hour credits in rehabilitation counseling, or guidance and counseling, or psychology; and two (2) years of above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a Master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, or guidance and counseling orvocational rehabilitation, or vocational guidance, or psychology; and one (1) year of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that us creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgement and make accurate and informed decisions.