09/28/2012 44810

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELING ASSISTANT

DEFINITION: This is paraprofessional work assisting in the provision of rehabilitation counseling services to customers utilizing services of the Hiram G. Andrews Center (HGAC).

An employee in this job assists HGAC professional counseling staff by administering various vocational aptitude and proficiency tests and providing job preparation and referral services to customers utilizing HGAC services. Work involves scheduling tests, conducting orientations to tests and test materials, administering tests in a classroom setting, making behavioral observations while testing is in progress, and scoring tests and recording test results. Work also involves providing HGAC customers with occupational information and assisting professional staff in the delivery of job preparation services. Employees work closely with professional counseling staff to communicate testing procedures and results and to deliver job preparation services. Work involves establishing and maintaining personal contacts with clients to obtain and provide essential information, arranging for special examinations to determine eligibility for services, developing referral contacts, and providing follow-up services. Supervision is received from a professional or administrative supervisor who provides on-the-job training, makes assignments, and reviews work to determine adherence to HGAC and departmental policies and procedures.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Administers vocational aptitude tests in a classroom environment.

Conducts orientation on vocational aptitude tests to explain testing materials and procedures.

Develops and distributes testing schedules.

Documents and records behavioral observations as necessary and provides records to professional counseling staff for consideration.

Maintains occupational research and reference materials.

Provides assistance to customers in the use of occupational research and reference materials.

Assists professional counseling staff in delivering job preparation courses.

Prepares and maintains job preparation course materials.

Coordinates the availability and scheduling of facilities, materials, and other resources necessary to conduct testing and job preparation services.

Locates persons with disabilities referred for service, establishes contact, and outlines to the prospective student rehabilitation programs and services that can be provided.

Interviews clients to obtain necessary medical, social, and education information.

Screens student case file to obtain information to determine adherence to admission criteria.

Facilitates group activities such as group discussions geared toward increasing student self-awareness and employment readiness.

Explains admission policies to students and assists student in obtaining and filling out necessary forms.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the goals and objectives of vocational and social rehabilitation.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior and effective ways of working with people.

Ability to interpret and apply regulations and operating procedures.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: An associate’s degree that includes 15 credits in the behavioral sciences;

                                                                                                                                                                                  or

Two years of public contact work, including six months of experience in providing direct services related to the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities;

                                                                                                                                                                                  or

An equivalent combination of experience and training that included six months of experience in providing direct services related to the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.