Rehabilitation Counselors

What this job is

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.

What they do day to day

• Develop rehabilitation plans that fit clients' aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities, and career goals.
• Confer with clients to discuss their options and goals so that rehabilitation programs and plans for accessing needed services can be developed.
• 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.
• 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.
• Analyze information from interviews, educational and medical records, consultation with other professionals, and diagnostic evaluations to assess clients' abilities, needs, and eligibility for services.
• Monitor and record clients' progress to ensure that goals and objectives are met.
• Develop and maintain relationships with community referral sources, such as schools or community groups.
• Maintain close contact with clients during job training and placements to resolve problems and evaluate placement adequacy.
• Arrange for physical, mental, academic, vocational, and other evaluations to obtain information for assessing clients' needs and developing rehabilitation plans.
• Participate in job development and placement programs, contacting prospective employers, placing clients in jobs, and evaluating the success of placements.

Skills and knowledge that matter most

Importance rated by people working in the job (1 = not important, 5 = extremely important).

Education and preparation

Preparation level 5 of 5 — Extensive preparation. Usually a graduate degree (master's, PhD, MD, JD) and extensive experience.

Typical entry education (BLS): Master's degree.

Who this job suits

Based on the Holland (RIASEC) interest profile for this occupation.

Job titles you'll see in postings

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