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Career Exploration

Rehabilitation Counselors

Also called: Employment Specialist, Job Coach, Rehabilitation Counselor, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC)

What they do:

Counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, aging, or the stress of daily life. Coordinate activities for residents of care and treatment facilities. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement.

On the job, you would:
  • Prepare and maintain records and case files, including documentation, such as clients' personal and eligibility information, services provided, narratives of client contacts, or relevant correspondence.
  • Confer with clients to discuss their options and goals so that rehabilitation programs and plans for accessing needed services can be developed.
  • Develop rehabilitation plans that fit clients' aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities, and career goals.
On the job, you'll need:

Business

  • customer service
  • administrative services

Health

  • therapy and counseling

Education and Training

  • teaching and course design

Math and Science

  • psychology

Basic Skills

  • listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • talking to others

Social

  • looking for ways to help people
  • understanding people's reactions

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it

Verbal

  • communicate by speaking
  • listen and understand what people say

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • use rules to solve problems

Social

People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.

  • Concern for Others
  • Integrity
  • Dependability
  • Initiative
  • Persistence
  • Cooperation

Electronic mail software

  • Email software
  • Microsoft Outlook

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Internet browser software

  • Microsoft Mobile Explorer MME
  • Web browser software

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Average.

New job opportunities are likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $39,990

Education

Bachelor's degree or master's degree is usually needed.