JOB TITLE: VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR, DEAF AND HARD OF HEARING

JOB CODE: 44829

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor job series describes work in the professional counseling of customers with disabilities to develop and implement plans of services that result in suitable employment.

DEFINITION: This is specialized professional work providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.

An employee in this job provides vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with hearing disabilities using a systematic process and the empowerment model. Work involves identifying barriers to employment caused by deafness or hearing loss; conducting comprehensive assessments of individual strengths, interests, abilities, and aptitudes to develop and implement individualized employment plans; providing career counseling and training; and delivering job placement services. Work includes approving individualized employment plans prepared by lower-level staff and associated expenditures for diagnostic and plan service costs. Work may include developing and coordinating outreach efforts with employers to facilitate the employment of individuals with disabilities. Work is performed with considerable independence in accordance with all applicable legislation, regulations, policies, and procedures and is reviewed by a Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor through progress reports, conferences, and evaluation of case records.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

     • Work is distinguished from the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor job by the responsibility for providing vocational rehabilitation services to individuals with disabilities who are primarily deaf or hard of hearing.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Conducts comprehensive assessments of individuals with disabilities to determine eligibility for services, rehabilitation needs, strengths, interests, abilities, and aptitudes.

• Develops individualized plans for employment based on assessment findings.

• Approves assessment and services expenditures associated with individualized employment plans based on individual needs, and forwards expenditure information for the appropriate budgetary approvals.

• Provides job placement services by coordinating employment opportunities with local employers and providing guidance to individuals with disabilities in obtaining employment.

• Provides training to individuals with disabilities to improve their interviewing, resume writing, and job search skills and provides other training and guidance to increase the employability of individuals with disabilities.

• Utilizes medical, social, vocational, community, and family resources to provide services; and develops liaisons with employers, referral sources, service providers, and educational or training facilities.

• Maintains comprehensive case files and progress notes.

• Verifies medical information in relation to case files.

• Develops and coordinates community outreach efforts to encourage the employment of individuals with disabilities and works with employers to resolve issues.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of casework principles and methods relating to vocational rehabilitation counseling.

• Knowledge of individual and group behavior.

• Knowledge of physical, mental, and sensory disabilities, their functional limitations, and their vocational implications.

• Knowledge of employment practices and the skills, abilities, and physical demands of the more common occupations.

• Ability to communicate fluently, both expressively and receptively, utilizing American Sign Language and other forms of sign and manual communication.

• Ability to analyze and interpret written information and numerical data.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• Successful completion of the commonwealth’s Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Intern program;

or

• One year as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee, Deaf and Hard of Hearing (commonwealth title);

or

• A master’s degree in vocational rehabilitation, mental health, special education, social work, human services, psychology, business administration, human resources, public administration, or a closely related field;

or

• Possession of an active Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certificate issued by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification;

or

• Proof of approval to sit for the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) Certified Rehabilitation Counselor certification examination, provided by the CRCC, and completion of a master’s degree.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

• All employees must be able to communicate at the intermediate sign communication level, or at the equivalent of intermediate sign communication level, as determined by a sign language proficiency evaluation approved by the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.