Finding a job these days is tough, no matter what your level of education or particular skill. The challenge is even greater for people with disabilities. This is where the vocational rehabilitation counselor can help. These counselors help people with disabilities live more independently by helping them find employment. As a vocational rehab counselor, you might work closely with clients who are coping with physical injuries, mental illness, psychological disorders, or substance abuse problems. You will interact with these clients and their families, as well as doctors, speech therapists, physical therapists, and psychologists.
A vocational rehabilitation counselor’s tasks include the following:
- Assessing the client’s capabilities and limitations
- Working with the client to set goals for employment and independent living
- Arranging the necessary training and therapy to meet those goals
- Facilitating job training and placement
Good communication and problem-solving skills are required in order to work in these counseling jobs, as well as empathy and the desire to help people fulfill their goals.
Educational Requirements
Most vocational rehabilitation counselor jobs require a Master’s Degree in vocational counseling, rehabilitation counseling, or counseling psychology. Therefore, a bachelor’s degree in social services, counseling, or psychology will be a good foundation for this career choice. Typically, you can finish your graduate coursework in rehabilitative counseling in two years. Courses will include disability studies, theory and practice of counseling, psychology, rehabilitation, case management, and educational and community services. Before you enroll, check whether your university or online program is accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE). A degree from a CORE-accredited program will give you more career options.
After completing their coursework, vocational rehab counselors put in at least 600 hours of clinical training with a qualified rehabilitation counselor. Your school may arrange an internship or counseling job for you.
Getting Certified
The next step on the path to a career in vocational rehabilitation counseling is optional. You can find employment without having a professional credential, or you may decide to broaden your opportunities by obtaining a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) or Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) credential. For instance, you will need a CRC to work in a federal or state rehabilitation program, and many other programs will make having a CRC a condition of employment.
Getting a CRC involves taking an exam administered by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). You can take the exam if you have a Master’s Degree from a program accredited by CORE, as well as 600 hours of supervision under a CRC. If you graduated from a non-accredited program, you will need a year of CRCC-approved work experience along with a counseling internship, or two years of CRCC-approved work experience before you can sit for the exam.
You must renew your CRC every five years. Either retake the exam, or show that you have accumulated the specified number of hours of continuing education.
Another option is to be certified as a LPC. This involves qualifying to take your state’s licensing exam (usually a Master’s Degree and a specified number of hours of supervised clinical experience) and passing it. Licensing regulations for counselors varies greatly from state to state; so check the requirements for the state where you plan to work.
Job Prospects
Job prospects for vocational rehab counselors are expected to increase through 2018. There are programs run by federal and state agencies, as well as positions in hospitals, private rehabilitation agencies, and community mental health clinics. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has its own vocational rehabilitation program to help veterans with service-related disabilities find employment. Some vocational rehab counselors contract work through their own offices or join a group practice.
Salary
As of 2010, the median annual salary for vocational rehab counselors was $32,350. Those working for state government programs made higher salaries, as did those with successful private practices.
Helping people with disabilities find meaningful work that gives them more independence and allows them to contribute to their communities can be enormously satisfying. Vocational rehab counselors do this by facilitating the right kinds of training, therapy, job skills, and support systems for their clients.