Rehabilitation Counselor
What does a Rehabilitation Counselor do?
- Rehabilitation Counselors help persons who are mentally and/or
physically disabled to adjust to their disability and find suitable
employment.
- They evaluate prospective clients and determine their eligibility for
assistance and whether available rehabilitation techniques are likely to be
beneficial.
- Where appropriate, the Counselors develop, with the client, a plan of
service.
- This may call for occupational training, restorative surgery,
counseling, or some combination of these.
- The counselor then authorizes necessary services and monitors the
progress of the client.
- They may also contact employers to solicit job openings.
- In some cases they may work with employers to redesign jobs to fit the
capabilities of the client.
- Clientele served by Rehabilitation Counselors include persons who have
physical or emotional impairment due to injury or illness, drug-related
problems, and mental retardation.
Salary and Employment Outlook:
EDD Labor
Market Information
Occupational Outlook Handbook
Career Info Net
Typical Employers:
Rehabilitation counselors work for the U.S. veterans' administration, for
local, state and federal vocational rehabilitation agencies, private
rehabilitation services, hospitals, drug treatment centers, shelters, workshops
and special schools.
Preparation:
A bachelor's degree is required with courses in Psychology preferred. Federal
and state agencies have training programs for entry-level workers with
bachelor's degrees. A master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, offered at
several colleges in the west, is essential for advancement. Some private
organizations require that you be certified.
Educational Program(s):
Counseling
Related Programs: Psychology, Religion, Theology