Post-Acute Vocational Specialist en Shepherd

The Vocational Specialist provides vocational services to individuals with acquired brain injuries (including traumatic, mild, and concussive), spinal cord injuries, and other neuromuscular disorders for Shepherd Center Rehabilitation Continuum. Provided services are based on the location/department/unit assignment. This role interacts with team members from multiple departments and disciplines, to create innovative treatment plans that empower patients and their families towards greater autonomy. The Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist is responsible for evaluating each patient (adolescent, adult, and geriatric) assigned, determining short-term and long-term vocational goals in conjunction with the patient and other Shepherd Center team members. They are responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive treatment program to meet these goals without direct supervision. They must be able to effectively work with the Vocational Department team in coordinating services, collaborating on joint projects, and expanding on the communication of departmental needs on a consistent basis. This process requires an organized individual with excellent communication skills, knowledge and experience with career exploration, placement, and support.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Vocational Specialist will work with patients to evaluate their return-to-work potential, providing recommendations for work placement to include monitoring, training, advocating, and facilitating communication between the patient, employer, and clinical team members.

• Provides job development and job placement services to clients as appropriate, coordinates scheduling of job coach services with other therapists and support personnel.

• Provides education to employers and coworkers regarding spinal cord injury, brain injury, and other neuromuscular disorders; develops and monitors support and assistance for client on the job site.

• Develops, in collaboration with assigned clinical providers, the physician letter of release to perform vocational activities, obtains physician signature then submits to employer and medical chart.

• Initiates and completes the process of determining feasibility of returning clients to pre-injury employment or developing other vocational options with the rehabilitation team.

• Works with the rehabilitation team in determining the appropriate time to transition a client through the different levels of support from job coaching to independent work trials to paid employment.

• Co-investigates and/or implements vocational research projects as appropriate.

• Determines short- and long-term goals in conjunction with the client and other treatment team members, develops and implements a comprehensive treatment program to meet these goals.

• Additional responsibilities include rotating programmatic responsibilities (e.g., facilitating staff and client meetings) and participation in program development tasks and committees.

• Performs other responsibilities as assigned.

• Works in collaboration with community partners in establishing a referral system for access to job opportunities for those with disabilities. 

• Provides community education and outreach on vocational issues and resources.

• Practices proper safety techniques in accordance with Center and departmental policies and procedures. Responsible for the reporting of employee/patient/visitor injuries or accidents, or other safety issues to the supervisor and in the occurrence notification system.  

• Monitors and ensures compliance with all regulatory requirements, organizational standards, and policies and procedures related to area of responsibility. Identifies potential risk areas within area of responsibility and supports problem resolution process.

REQUIRED MINIMUM EDUCATION

• Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling

REQUIRED MINIMUM CERTIFICATION:

• Certified Rehab Counselor (CRC)

REQUIRED MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

• 2-4 years’ experience in rehabilitation setting or equivalent. 

• Ability to assess and provide services to specific population as appropriate (i.e., level of injury, interest, etc.).

• Ability to communicate well both orally and in writing.

REQUIRED MINIMUM SKILLS

• Proficient in the use of Microsoft office suite

• Effective time management skills. 

• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

• Effective decision making/problem-solving skills and creativity in problem solving.

• Demonstrated effective critical thinking skills and ability to anticipate patient discharge needs.

• Understanding of the interdisciplinary team approach and rehabilitation environment.

• Moderate to expert computer skills.

• Working knowledge of financial aspects of third-party payors and reimbursement

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking, standing, or propelling wheelchair for brief periods of time or exerting up to 15 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

• May require occasional off-site travel within a 50-mile radius of Shepherd Center. 

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Some potential for exposure to blood and body fluids.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified.

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