Rehabilitation Counselor Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a rehabilitation counselor. Feel free to use our rehabilitation counselor job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a rehabilitation counselor.
Who is a Rehabilitation Counselor?
Rehabilitation is a process that strives to make patients and individuals do better, live better, and enjoy happy lives. Similarly, counseling ensures that individuals have the basic materials, support, and knowledge to live quality lives and work independently even with devastating disabilities or challenges. Rehabilitation enables mentally challenged people to fit into society and cohabit effectively with seemingly unchallenged individuals. A combination of rehabilitation and counseling breeds a profession called rehabilitation counseling. The field is focused on assisting people with disabilities to grow and advance in their personal and professional life. Disability or not, everybody has visions, goals, and targets in life; rehabilitation counseling ensures no one is left behind in terms of growth and development. It involves a series of rigorous counseling sessions, exercises, and bonding. The process also targets individuals suffering from emotional imbalances and people recovering from injuries or ailments. An individual that specializes in rehabilitation counseling is called a rehabilitation counselor.
A rehabilitation counselor can be a public health specialist, social worker, guidance and counseling expert, psychologist, or nurse. Contrary to popular opinion, a rehabilitation counselor mustn’t be a medical practitioner though they are trained to understand medical-related issues, barriers, and systemic hindrances to a patient’s recovery. These professionals act as advocates and spokespersons for disabled persons and developmentally challenged individuals. They work to mitigate the disadvantages posed by physical challenges, mental ineptitudes, and emotional imbalances. Independence is an essential aspect of life; a rehabilitation counselor helps individuals to defeat the impediments to independence and live normal lives. A rehabilitation counselor also performs educational functions, community service, and developmental functions. He or she ensures that the patients integrate fully into the workplace by eliminating barriers. They work in different industries to ensure that people with disabilities and rehabilitated persons become productive, industrious, and fecund at work. Depending on the patient’s condition, a rehabilitation counselor might work alone or liaise with other professionals such as physicians, career coaches, and physiotherapists.
Additionally, they develop a treatment plan that suits each patient; they also work with the patient’s families to determine the existence or not of such condition in the family. While working with other professionals and agencies to provide additional support, a rehabilitation counselor adjusts the therapy plan where necessary. Importantly, a rehabilitation counselor can arrange a group counseling session and routine for people with similar disabilities or challenges as part of their social and cooperative responsibility. Also, they engage in community work and channel their interventions toward special populations. An important part of the work of a rehabilitation counselor is the identification of a patient’s strengths and weaknesses. While they encourage patients to build on their strengths, they also help them to overcome their limitations. A rehabilitation counselor is often entrusted with the function of arranging medical care, providing patient training, evaluating and perusing medical reports, assisting in job hunting and placement, and helping patients develop essential skills for blending into society and growth.
Relatively, rehabilitation counselor uses their knowledge of the social determinants of health and well-being to help patients adjust to the social and psychological impediments caused by disabilities. He or she helps them overcome the effects of their condition on independence and work. A rehabilitation counselor also assists disabled students to transition smoothly from education to work. They map out strategies and techniques to enable them to live with their disabilities and enjoy life fully. A rehabilitation counselor also works with veterans of war and military service and counsels them on how to manage the effects of years of service. Some work with the elderly and individuals who develop disabilities as they age and encourage them to learn to make the best out of their condition.
A rehabilitation counselor work contrasting schedules based on the sector, employer, or patient. Some work regular hours while others work weekends and irregular hours. The work of a rehabilitation counselor encompasses two vital areas; the thinking and helping areas. In the thinking area, a rehabilitation counselor researches, investigates, and increases the understanding of natural laws with regard to disabilities. In contrast, these professionals assist, serve, counsel, and teach patients in the helping aspect. A successful rehabilitation counselor carries out research to determine the medical angle of emotional, physical, and psychological disabilities. Significantly, a rehabilitation counselor ensures that the environment and community are willing and able to accept disabled patients; this, in turn, makes it easier for such patients to adjust and fit into the environment.
Rehabilitation Counselor Job Description
Rehabilitation counselors understand the impact of disability and other medical challenges on an individual. They also know the importance of independence and inclusion in the lives of people with disabilities and other health conditions. They give hope, confidence, and optimism to patients by encouraging and assisting them to have normal work and family lives even when they have been tagged as abnormal people. Undoubtedly, the rehabilitation counselor is an integral employees in any organization; they are trained and expected to perform the following functions;
- Determine a patient’s strengths, medical condition, talents, qualities, and education.
- Organize rehabilitation and counseling sessions for patients in groups or individually.
- Evaluate a patient’s disability and coordinate their adjustment process.
- Arrange career training, medical care, and other welfare packages for patients.
- Research and develop therapy plans that suit the needs of each patient.
- Work with physicians, therapists, and psychologists to provide the best care to patients.
- Encourage patients to work on their weaknesses and build on their strengths.
- Enlighten the community at large on the potential of disabled persons, their needs, and the laws governing people with disabilities.
- Provide computer programs, wheelchairs, and other resources to patients and mobilize community support to enable them to work and live freely.
- Teach patients how to live independently.
- Advocate for patients and clients to work anywhere they want regardless of their conditions.
- Monitor and document patients’ progress and records.
- Adjust the rehabilitation and therapy plan if necessary.
- Help veterans and the aged to adjust to any disability acquired from years of service.
- Liaise with caregivers and patient’s families to manage the condition better
- Ensure that the rehabilitation and counseling targets are met.
- Prepare reports to present to the government and non-profit organizations interested in persons with disabilities.
- Solicit for programs, facilities, and external support for people with physical and emotional challenges.
- Identify and mitigate the barriers to a patient’s adjustment at work, school, and society.
Qualifications
Several issues hinder or stop some individuals from being productive. The aforementioned often negates and affects the ability of people to live normal lives, be independent, and employability. Thankfully, most employers and organizations run an all-exclusive and equality policy during recruitment. These counseling professionals have the knowledge, skills, and experience to help people rehabilitate, harness their strengths, and overcome their weaknesses. To become an expert in rehabilitation counseling, an individual must possess the following qualifications;
- Education: The educational path for a rehabilitation counselor starts from completing high school. Though employers rarely require a specific degree, an undergraduate degree (bachelor’s) in fields like psychology, rehabilitation services, and sociology is acceptable for a career in rehabilitation or counseling. These courses are accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation education and can be completed in approximately four to five years. However, a master’s degree is essential for employment. Courses like rehabilitation counseling or social work can suffice. An advanced degree in this field teaches the aspiring or prospective rehabilitation counselor skills and techniques to effectively perform patient evaluation, formulate strategies for job placement, and implement rehabilitation policies. Also, a master’s degree aids in the understanding of the psychological and medical angles of disability. During the master’s study, the students are exposed to clinical experience under supervision.
- Training: Training is another employability requirement for rehabilitation counselors. The best candidate should have undergone training on job placement, evaluation and assessment, research utilization and development, and group and individual counseling. Also, employers prefer applicants with proof of training on community engagement of persons with disability, case management, employment choice, and medical and psychosocial assistance.
- Certification and licensing: Rehabilitation and counseling require certification and licensing. The requirements for a license include holding a relevant master’s degree and completing a minimum of 2000 to 4000 hours of practicum in a clinic under supervision. In relation, professional certification in rehabilitation counseling can be obtained from the commission on rehabilitation counselor certification. To become certified, an individual must pass the certification examination, present evidence of clinical supervision, and possess advanced education.
Essential Skills
Employment and success in rehabilitation counseling involve several factors including skills. Often, a rehabilitation counselor will need some skills to thrive in the role. Working with people with physical and mental challenges requires soft, technical, and hard skills such as;
Compassion: A rehabilitation counselor needs compassion and empathy to efficiently work with clients suffering from trauma and other challenges. Compassion and empathy enable these experts to effectively appreciate what their clients are facing. Subsequently, it helps them to come up with solutions to minimize the client’s emotional and mental struggles.
Interpersonal skills: Interpersonal skills are needed to work with people that require rehabilitation. Also, a rehabilitation counselor is exposed to patients, clients, and other professionals from different backgrounds. Interpersonal skill is necessary for developing good relationships with employers and coworkers.
Dedication to work: This is more of a quality than skill; however, the two cogs go hand in hand. To adequately help individuals rehabilitate, you need to be dedicated to work and show total commitment to the cause.
Listening skills: A rehabilitation counselor should be a good listener to perform their duties accurately. They should pay attention to every detail during the rehabilitation and counseling process. Moreover, a rehabilitation counselor can only understand the client’s plight and concerns when he or she listens carefully.
Problem-solving skills: A rehabilitation counselor should be a problem solver to attend to the needs of patients. Problem-solving entails identifying the issues, proffering solutions, and developing ways to improve the client’s condition.
How to Become a Rehabilitation Counselor
A career in rehabilitation counseling is enriching, rewarding, fulfilling, challenging, and exciting. Arguably, rehabilitation counselors are social science experts who have had training and education in rehabilitation. To begin a career as a rehabilitation counselor, follow the steps below;
- Earn a bachelor’s degree: To start a career in rehabilitation counseling, pursue and earn relevant education in rehabilitation and disability studies, sociology, psychology, and rehabilitation services. A bachelor’s degree in any of these courses prepares you for a career in the sector and helps you develop relevant skills.
- Pursue a master’s degree: An advanced degree in rehabilitation or social work is needed for career growth and advancement. Preferably, pursue and obtain a master’s degree. This education comes with advanced knowledge on how to support patients and provide advocacy services.
- Gain work experience: Most counseling and rehabilitation agencies seek experienced rehabilitation counselors; hence gain work experience to perform your tasks accordingly. An internship, entry-level position, or job shadowing are examples of avenues to gain relevant experience.
- Get licensed: Generally, a rehabilitation counselor needs a license to practice his or her craft. Licensing is important when assessing and diagnosing clients. To obtain a license, show evidence of advanced education and pass the licensing examination. Most licenses must be renewed after some years in some countries.
Where to Work as a Rehabilitation Counselor
Rehabilitation counselors are employed by different agencies and sectors. In fact, every industry and endeavor needs the services of rehabilitation counselors regardless of size, status, and reputation. These professionals are important in rehabilitating convicts and other offenders as well; hence, they can work in correctional facilities. The major employers of a rehabilitation counselor are;
- Hospitals, government agencies, and Schools.
- Universities, insurance companies, and police service
- Vocational services, individual and family services, and disability centers.
Rehabilitation Counselor Salary Scale
A rehabilitation counselor earns an approximated average salary of $37,530 per annum. This represents the median wage for rehabilitation counselors. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earn less. The top 10 percentiles earn more than $66,180 per year while the lowest 10 percentiles make below $25,660 every year.