VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELOR FOR THE BLIND

DEFINITION

This is professional rehabilitation counseling in the Rehabilitation Services for the Blind, Division of Family Services, involving complex rehabilitation functions for the significantly visually impaired and blind population.

An employee in this class is responsible for assessing, evaluating, identifying, implementing, monitoring and coordinating vocational rehabilitation services for significantly visually impaired/blind consumers. Work includes evaluating medical reports to determine visual eligibility; screening, analyzing, interpreting and evaluating medical, psychological, social, educational, and employment data regarding applicants; creating with the consumer a rehabilitation plan for employment that is consistent with the individual’s strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests and informed choices. Work also involves purchase and provision of services needed for the consumer to achieve the plan for employment, including physical and mental restoration, educational and vocational training; computer and adaptive equipment; and job readiness, placement and retention services. Work assignments are within specified geographic districts of the state. Work is performed under the general supervision of a District Supervisor; however, the employee exercises increasing independence and initiative within established guidelines.

Any one position may not involve all of the specified duties or knowledges, skills and abilities, nor are the listed examples exhaustive.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Conducts in-depth interviews with persons with disabilities to obtain information regarding medical and family history, social functioning, education, work experience, self-perception, attitudes, financial resources and vocational interests.

Collects, analyzes and interprets medical, psychological, social, educational and vocational data to determine the client’s eligibility for services and to assist the client in selecting an appropriate vocational goal and identify the rehabilitation services needed by the consumer.

Negotiates and develops with the consumer a rehabilitation program and Individualized Plan for Employment, placing emphasis on the determination and achievement of an appropriate vocational goal through client participation.

Arranges for or administers psychological tests to ascertain client’s cognitive level, aptitudes, interests and abilities.

Implements the Individualized Plan for Employment by authorizing, purchasing, arranging, referring for and coordinating services based on capacities and informed consumer choice.

Manages, as directed, case service needs to ensure quality and cost effective rehabilitation outcomes.

Utilizes knowledge of community resources and accesses other financial resources (comparable benefit analysis required by federal regulations) to reduce rehabilitation costs.

Achieves employment outcomes with consumers, either through direct placement or facilitation consistent with the consumer’s strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and informed choices.

Contacts employers to educate them, assess their needs, and to develop jobs for significantly visually impaired/blind consumers.

Implements provisions of the Federal Rehabilitation Act, the Rehabilitation Services of the Blind Administrative Rule, and the policies and procedures of the agency.

Establishes and maintains liaison with and provides technical assistance regarding disability and independence and employment to consumers, their family and support systems, community resources, business, government agencies, schools, health care facilities, physicians, service providers, employers, and others.

Performs other related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Considerable knowledge of vocational rehabilitation counseling methods and techniques.

Considerable knowledge of anatomy and diseases of the eye and treatments and the complex array of problems caused by blindness and/or visual impairments.

Considerable knowledge of medical and mental disabilities and treatments and their effect on the rehabilitation process.

Working knowledge of labor market, employer needs and employment opportunities.

Working knowledge of the available community resources and of their organization, purpose and use, as pertains to potential vocational rehabilitation services and employment opportunities.

Ability to understand and interpret federal and state legislation pertaining to the vocational rehabilitation of blind and/or visually impaired persons.

Ability to collect and evaluate a wide variety of medical, psychological, social and vocational diagnostic data and to apply such to the development and implementation of a rehabilitation plan with visually impaired/blind consumers in conjunction with the consumer’s informed choice.

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with professional staff, consumers, service contractors, families, advocates, employers, the business community and other agency representatives.

Ability to authorize, encumber, and expend vocational rehabilitation funds in an appropriate, effective, and consistent manner.

Ability to communicate effectively and to prepare comprehensive reports and case recordings.

Ability to act in accordance with the legal aspects of the vocational rehabilitation program.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

(The following entrance requirements are used to admit or reject applicants for merit system examinations, or may be used to evaluate applicants for employment in positions not requiring selection from merit system registers. When applicable, equivalent substitution will be allowed for deficiencies in experience or education.)

Possession of a Master’s Degree from an accredited school of rehabilitation counseling, counseling, guidance and counseling, clinical psychology, counseling psychology, or social work. (Possession of a current Certified Rehabilitation Counselor [CRC] certification issued by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification will substitute for possession of the Master’s Degree.)

(Eff. 11/1/99)