Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist

The position is physically located in the Mental Health Department at the Tuskegee VA Medical Center. The incumbent is assigned vocational rehabilitation duties throughout the hospital, clinics, and with the community.Majorduties include but are not limited to: Serve as the vocational Rehabilitation Specialist, Case Manager of the medical center assigned to the vocational rehabilitation/MHRRTP section to ensure that all referred disabled veterans are placed in appropriate programs leading to employment and/or independent living. Incumbent will function within the vocational rehab section as part of the Veterans Industries CWT/TWE/IT component. Incumbent initiates the rehabilitation process of veterans referred to the Vocational Rehabilitation section to ensure that all treatment and rehabilitative services needed by all referred potentially employable veterans are process in a comprehensive, coordinated andtimely manner. Incumbent is responsible for the provision and utilization of appropriate counseling techniques and strategies to increase the functioning of seriously mentally ill patients as well as those patients with physical disabilities. Accepts referral of Chronic/Seriously handicapped veterans and other veterans in all diagnostic categories with varying degrees and combinations of physical, mental, social and psychological disabilities. Will be responsible for employing assessment and modification techniques for problems with in the psychiatric, clinical, educational, and rehabilitative setting in an effort to maximize the patients rehabilitative potential. This is inclusive of patients from Mental Health Intensive Case Management, Day Treatment Center, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services, and Homeless Programs. Visits assigned CWT/TWE/IT job sites to ensure individualized proper techniques for procedures and quality contact for regular and severe cases. Uses individualized counseling, individualized treatment modalities, individualized job placements, training and development of placement sites, for severely handicapped veterans, to increase their level of functioning for job placement. Ability to work closely with interdisciplinary team, including physicians, vocational rehabilitation counselors, therapist, and social workers. Makes arrangements for exploratory training programs such as a sheltered workshops, and Incentive Therapy assignments for both regular procedural cases and severe cases assigned to Vocational Rehabilitation. In accomplishing this objective both therapy and job productivity are monitored for future TWE placements. Serves as an educational resource via mandatory teaching and individualized educational programs as assessment. When appropriate, conducts Group Therapy to cover a vast array of educational, employment training, and community living needs. Extensive knowledge of handicapped veterans to ensure employees understand and are willing to comply with recommended job modifications to mee1 identified