Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Summary The Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center (VAMC) in Wichita, Kansas is currently recruiting for a Rehabilitation Counselor within VHA Vocational Rehabilitation Service (VHA Voc Rehab). VHA Voc Rehab Service programs are recovery-oriented clinical vocational rehabilitation services that offer an array of vocational, educational, training, employment, and therapeutic work services. Responsibilities Robert J. Dole VA Medical Center (VAMC) is committed to Diversity and Inclusion. Together, we strive to create and maintain a working and learning environment that promotes professional growth and teamwork. We offer an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming environment where we celebrate our individual differences and unite as a team toward a common goal of providing outstanding service to our Nations Veterans.The Rehabilitation Counselor (RC) serves as a member of the Behavioral Health team providing treatment to patients with mental health and substance use disorder diagnoses. Primary duties include, but are not limited to: Providing personal adjustment counseling, therapeutic rehabilitation interventions, and case coordination services. Using evidence-informed and evidence-based modalities to aid Veterans with severe disabilities. Conducting biopsychosocial assessments using medical records, pertinent disability documentation, observation and interviews with Veterans and their support systems to generate personal, vocational, and educational histories. Consulting with interdisciplinary teams to enhance coordination of care, ensure medical clearance, and provide for optimal timing of further interventions. Developing patient-centered treatment plans utilizing Specific, Measurable, Agreed upon, Realistic, and Time-based (SMART) goals. Devising solutions to reduce and/or eliminate barriers and meet Veterans placement needs. Procuring and managing transitional work agreements from community, state, and federal agencies. Providing disability education and program-specific training to staff and stakeholders. Work Schedule: Monday – Friday; 8:00am-4:30pm Compressed/Flexible: Not Available Telework: Available on an ad-hoc basis Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 000000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required Requirements Conditions of Employment You must be a U.S. Citizen to apply for this job. All applicants tentatively selected for VA employment in a testing designated position are subject to urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment. Applicants who refuse to be tested will be denied employment with VA. Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959. Must be proficient in written and spoken English. You may be required to serve a probationary period. Subject to background/security investigation. Selected applicants will be required to complete an online onboarding process. Must pass pre-employment physical examination. Participation in the seasonal influenza vaccination program is a requirement for all Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Personnel (HCP). Participation in the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination program is a requirement for all Veterans Health Administration Health Care Personnel (HCP) – See “Additional Information” below for details. Qualifications Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G62. Education: Applicants must possess one (1) of the following: A masters degree in rehabilitation counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a rehabilitation counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). If your degree was granted prior to July 1, 2017, the program must be accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education. -OR- A masters degree in counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). -OR- A masters or doctoral degree in a related filed of study with course content that emphasized rehabilitation, counselor, disability, therapy, health, employment, wellness, or human development from a college or university accredited by the national or regional accrediting body accredited by CHEA. -OR- Foreign graduates with a degree acceptable by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). Certification: Applicants must possess current, full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) from the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) to practice vocational rehabilitation counselor. Rehabilitation Counselor (RC) graduates from an approved counselor or rehabilitation counseling program who otherwise meet the basic qualification requirements and the additional degree requirements for CRC certification by the CRCC, but no dot possess the required certification, may be appointed at the entry grade level as a Graduate RC on a full-time temporary appointment not to exceed two years pending certification May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grandfather Provision. A Hybrid Title 38 Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor employed in VHA on the effective date of the qualification standard (07/21/2020) are considered to have met all qualification requirements for the title, series and grade held, including positive education and licensure/certification/registration that are part of the basic requirements of the occupation. For employees who do not meet all the basic requirements in this standard but who met the qualifications applicable to the position at the time they were appointed to it, the grandfathering provisions outlined in the OCC SERIES NAME qualification will apply. You can view the qualification standard at https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/ Grade Determinations: GS-9: In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, applicants at the GS-9 level must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Knowledge of human development and behavior, medical, psychosocial, and vocational aspects of disability and differential influences of environmental and cultural factors to assist persons with disabilities in determining suitable vocational goals. (b) Knowledge of history, philosophy and disability rights legislation in the field of rehabilitation to apply in the practice of rehabilitation counseling. (c) Ability to synthesize assessment and diagnosis information in conjunction with labor market trends and community/educational resources to develop an effective individual service delivery plan. GS-11: In addition to meeting all of the basic requirements listed above, applicants at the GS-11 level must have at least 1 full year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled -OR-possess a doctoral degree in rehabilitation counselor education or related field (e.g. rehabilitation psychology) from a CACREP accredited institution or form an institution accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by CHEA. The candidate must also demonstrate all of the following Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): (a) Knowledge of physical and psychological disabilities, appropriate accommodations and assistive technology principles to mitigate and reduce or eliminate barriers to integrate into the community; (b) Knowledge of counseling theory, medical and psychiatric terminology and signs and symptomology of suicidal and homicidal ideations, to communicate appropriately with community health care professionals to provide useful input to other team members and employers in relation to the Veteran and/or his/her familys psychosocial needs and to recommend and help implement suitable treatment plans; (c) Ability to use evidence-based and evidence informed vocational and professional counseling practices to include individual placement and support (IPS), customized employment and supported employment models and motivational interviewing skills to promote self-awareness, adjustment to disability, enhanced job retention, and successfully integration into the community; (d) Knowledge of career development processes and job analysis methodology to determine essential functions of jobs, worksite modifications and/or alternative vocational goals given the work history and residual functional capacities of individuals with disabilities; (e) Ability to administer and interpret a wide variety of assessment methods including transferrable skills and labor market analyses to evaluate for individual interests, aptitudes and abilities and to identify suitable vocational goals for the development of an effective individual service delivery plan; (f) Knowledge of marketing strategies to develop collaborative partnerships/Memorandums of Agreement within VA and local business community to enhance employment and/or work opportunities; and (g) Knowledge of military culture and specific factors and dynamics associated with Veterans, particularly combat Veterans, to assist those who are returning to community and community-based work. Preferred Experience: Prior experience working with substance use disorders and mental health populations. Licensed addiction counselor experience also preferred. References: VA Regulations, specifically VA Handbook 5005, Part II, Appendix G-62 Rehabilitation Counselor Qualification Standard. This can be found in the local Human Resources Office. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-11. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-9 to GS-11. Physical Requirements: The physical demands are minimal, requiring only moderate amounts of walking, standing, bending or stooping. Incumbents in this position are expected to drive patients within the local commuting area (typically within 30 miles of the facility). Selectee will need to pass a pre-employment driving physical through Occupational/Employee Health to transport Veterans in a government vehicle. Education IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education. Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/. Additional Information During the application process you may have an option to opt-in to make your resume available to hiring managers in the agency who have similar positions. Opting in does not impact your application for this announcement, nor does it guarantee further consideration for additional positions. This job opportunity announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies. This position is in the Excepted Service and does not confer competitive status. VA encourages persons with disabilities to apply. The health-related positions in VA are covered by Title 38, and are not covered by the Schedule A excepted appointment authority. Pursuant to VHA Directive 1193.01, VHA health care personnel (HCP) are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 subject to such accommodations as required by law (i.e., medical, religious or pregnancy). VHA HCPs do not include remote workers who only infrequently enter VHA locations. If selected, you will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before your start date. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request a legally required accommodation from this requirement using the reasonable accommodation process. If you are unable to apply online or need an alternate method to submit documents, please reach out to the Agency Contact listed in this Job Opportunity Announcement. Under the Fair Chance to Compete Act, the Department of Veterans Affairs prohibits requesting an applicants criminal history prior to accepting a tentative job offer. For more information about the Act and the complaint process, visit Human Resources and Administration/Operations, Security, and Preparedness (HRA/OSP) at The Fair Chance Act.