A vocational rehabilitation counselor is a trained professional who assists people in recovering from physical injuries, mental illnesses, and substance abuse issues so that they can find meaningful work or return to their previous jobs. Counselors meet with clients on a regular basis to monitor their recovery progress, discuss their options, and assist them in developing and improving their job skills. To better assist their clients, many professionals have access to government funding information and job placement resources.
Returning to work or looking for new jobs can be difficult for people recovering from accidents, addictions, or chronic mental illnesses. Counselors in vocational rehabilitation offer encouragement and important information to people in this situation. A counselor may conduct an interview with a client to learn about his or her career objectives, skills, and limitations. He or she will explain a client’s options and encourage him or her to actively seek work. A vocational rehabilitation counselor can assist a client in finding career resources, organizing a resume, filling out applications, and scheduling interviews.
A vocational rehabilitation counselor may work with a wide range of clients, from people who are stressed or depressed to accident victims who have developed severe physical or mental disabilities. A counselor must be at ease working with a diverse group of people and dealing with a variety of disorders. He or she may be required to conduct research into a specific client’s condition in order to gain a better understanding of what the person is going through and to determine the best way to assist him or her in recovering.
A master’s degree in counseling is typically required to work as a vocational rehabilitation counselor. A new counselor can begin working under the supervision of experienced counselors for about two years after completing a master’s degree program. A counselor’s performance is frequently evaluated, and advice on how to improve services is frequently given. He or she can take a written licensing exam administered his or her state or country after the supervisory period. Although additional certification is not usually required, some counselors choose to take nationally recognized certifying exams to strengthen their credentials and increase their job prospects.
Continuous advancements in medicine, treatment techniques, prosthetic devices, and workplace equipment necessitate continuing education and research for a vocational rehabilitation counselor. He or she must stay current on such developments in order to assist clients in making the most of every opportunity to recover from their disabilities and find meaningful work. In fact, to keep their licenses, some states and countries require counselors to take continuing education courses.