Career Overview
Counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, aging, or the stress of daily life. Coordinate activities for residents of care and treatment facilities. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement.
Also Known As
- Employment Specialist
- Job Coach
- Rehabilitation Counselor
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC)
Alternate Job Titles
- Blind Rehabilitation Specialist
- Care Navigator
- Career Navigator
- Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
- Classification Counselor
- Client Navigator
- Client Trainer
- Counseling Psychologist
- Developmental Disabilities Specialist
- Direct Care Counselor
- Direct Care Specialist
- Disability Consultant
- Disability Counselor
- Disability Program Navigator
- Disability Service Coordinator
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Prepare and maintain records and case files, including documentation, such as clients' personal and eligibility information, services provided, narratives of client contacts, or relevant correspondence.
- Confer with clients to discuss their options and goals so that rehabilitation programs and plans for accessing needed services can be developed.
- Develop rehabilitation plans that fit clients' aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities, and career goals.
- Locate barriers to client employment, such as inaccessible work sites, inflexible schedules, or transportation problems, and work with clients to develop strategies for overcoming these barriers.
- Monitor and record clients' progress to ensure that goals and objectives are met.
- Participate in job development and placement programs, contacting prospective employers, placing clients in jobs, and evaluating the success of placements.
- Analyze information from interviews, educational and medical records, consultation with other professionals, and diagnostic evaluations to assess clients' abilities, needs, and eligibility for services.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Customer and Personal Service
- Therapy and Counseling
- Psychology
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Administrative
- Computers and Electronics
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Social Perceptiveness
- Service Orientation
- Monitoring
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Coordination
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Speech Clarity
- Written Expression
- Written Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Speech Recognition
- Inductive Reasoning
- Near Vision
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Empathy
- Cooperation
- Dependability
- Optimism
- Sincerity
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Achievement
- Support
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
On-the-Job Training: Over 1 month, up to and including 3 months
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- Alternative computer keyboards
- Alternative mouse options
- Desktop computers
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Handheld calculators
- Intercom systems
- Laser facsimile machines
- Laser pointers
- Laser printers
- Liquid crystal display LCD projectors
- Multi-line telephone systems
- Notebook computers
- Personal computers
- Photocopiers
- Scanners
Work Environment
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Telephone Conversations
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Contact With Others
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $34,480 |
| Median | $46,110 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $77,200 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 88,930
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $60,060
Mental Health Counselors
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: Varies
Healthcare Social Workers
Education: Master's Degree
Median Salary: $68,090
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $58,570
Occupational Therapy Aides
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $37,370
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.