The Supervisory Rehabilitation Counselor in this position in the Mental Health Service Line at Kansas City, VA Medical Center serves as a Rehabilitation Counselor for the Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) programs delivering services to Veterans receiving treatment for Substance Use Disorders. The Rehabilitation Counselor practices independently, using professional judgment and expertise to make decisions about services and treatment provided to veterans and their family members/significant others. Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Education. A master's degree in rehabilitation counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a rehabilitation counseling program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). If the applicant's degree was granted prior to July 1, 2017, the program must be accredited by the Council on Rehabilitation Education. -OR A master's degree in counseling or clinical rehabilitation counseling from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). -OR A master's or doctoral degree in a related field of study with course content that emphasized rehabilitation, counseling, disability, therapy, health, employment, wellness, or human development from a college or university accredited by a national or regional accrediting body accredited by CHEA. -OR Foreign graduates with a degree acceptable by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC). Certification. Current, full and unrestricted certification as a certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) from the CRCC to practice vocational rehabilitation counseling. Exceptions for Graduate RCs RC graduates from an approved counseling or rehabilitation counseling program who otherwise meet the basic qualification requirements and the additional degree requirements for CRC certification by the CRCC, but do not possess the required certification, may be appointed, pending certification, as a graduate RC on a full-time temporary appointment not-to-exceed two years under the authority of 38 U.S.C. § 7405(a)(1)(D). Graduate RCs may only be appointed at the entry grade level and may not be promoted/converted until certification is obtained. Temporary graduate RC appointments may not be extended beyond two years or converted to a new temporary appointment. Failure to Obtain Certification. In all cases, RCs must actively pursue meeting prerequisites for certification starting from the date of their appointment. This includes working towards completion of CRCC's required acceptable employment experience and completing required CRCC documentation to verify employment experience and supervision by a CRC. At the time of appointment, the RC supervisor will provide the RC with the written requirements for certification, including the time by which the certification must be obtained and the consequences for not becoming certified by the deadline. Failure to become certified within the prescribed amount of time will result in removal from the GS-0101 RC series and may result in termination of employment. Loss of Certification. An employee in this occupation who fails to maintain the required certification must be removed from the occupation, which may also result in termination of employment. English Language Proficiency. Candidates must be proficient in spoken and written English to be appointed as authorized by 38 U.S.C. § 7403(f). May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria) Grade Determinations: Supervisory Rehabilitation Counselor, GS-13- Experience. Completion of one year of professional experience equivalent to the next lower grade level directly related to the position being filled. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). In addition to meeting the experience or educational requirements for this grade level, the candidate must demonstrate all of the following KSAs: (a) Skill in leading others, assessing employee strengths, opportunities for growth and qualifications to accomplish program goals, adapt work operations and guide staff. (b) Knowledge of labor/management agreements and how to follow their provisions to effectively manage issues and concerns. (c) Knowledge of applicable accreditation bodies and their standards to ensure continuous compliance and successful maintenance of program accreditations. (d) Ability to use both qualitative and quantitative methods for the development and implementation of meaningful program evaluation tools, study of program trends and program improvement. (e) Knowledge of business administration practices such as managing payroll, accounting, budget planning, marketing, workforce development and customer service to successfully operate a rehabilitation program. Preferred Experience: Compensated Work Therapy-Transitional Residence (CWT-TR) Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is 13. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service ["This position is located within VHA Vocational Rehabilitation Service (VHA Voc Rehab). VHA Voc Rehab Service programs are recovery-oriented clinical vocational rehabilitation services that offer an array of vocational, educational, training, employment, and therapeutic work services. They include skill development, fostering of natural supports, and assistance with obtaining and maintaining employment for Veterans for whom the primary objective is competitive employment. Vocational rehabilitation supports persons with functional, psychological, developmental, cognitive and emotional impairments, or health disabilities to overcome barriers to accessing, maintaining, or returning to employment and/or education. Vocational rehabilitation provides services to promote and support optimal functioning and development of Veterans by utilizing appropriate counseling and training. VHA Voc Rehab Service includes: Vocational and Educational Assistance, and Compensated Work Therapy (CWT). CWT consists of the following components: Transitional Work (TW), Supported Employment (SE), Community Based Employment Services (CBES), Supported Education (SEd), and Supported Self Employment (SSE). The incumbent provides VHA Voc Rehab services within various settings of the medical center and/or community. Major Duties: Monitor the progress of assigned patients in their rehabilitation plans, through frequent meetings with patients, staff and work area supervisors. Perform individual, group and crisis counseling with veterans enrolled in the CWT programs receiving treatment within the Substance Treatment And Recovery programs. Conduct educational classes and services for veterans enrolled in CWT programs. Coordinate and supervise patient work schedules with participating hospital services. Develop and implement patient discharge planning to ensure a smooth and orderly transition to community employment. Develops strategic plan, risk management and outcomes management plan to project future direction and demand of program services based on stakeholder feedback. Provide liaison services to local and state agencies to assist veterans in obtaining training/education/employment. Acts as liaison between VA and community resources, to include marketing and public relation duties as needed. Establish and monitor community-based contracts for CWT program, including initial contracts, memorandum of agreement, and standard operating procedures. Perform contract managerial duties for medical center and community- based contracts for CWT programs, including estimation of budget requirements. Prepare and maintain billing, payroll records, and account receivable records of financial transactions re: CWT program. Assist Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist staff in developing and writing medical center and community - based CWT contracts. Negotiate and secure contracted work appropriate to the skill level of assigned patients. Develop and maintain contacts with local companies and agencies in the community by correspondence, telephone, and personal contacts for the purpose of securing employment for veterans in the CWT program. Collects and organizes data on veterans served as required by the NEPEC, and the Director/medical center management. The incumbent performs other related duties as assigned. Work Schedule: Monday - Friday; 7:30 am - 3:30 pm Telework: Ad-hoc only Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 0000 Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized"]
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is the largest integrated health care system in the United States, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 VA Medical Centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics) to over 9 million Veterans enrolled in the VA health care program. VHA Medical Centers provide a wide range of services including traditional hospital-based services such as surgery, critical care, mental health, orthopedics, pharmacy, radiology and physical therapy. In addition, most of our medical centers offer additional medical and surgical specialty services including audiology & speech pathology, dermatology, dental, geriatrics, neurology, oncology, podiatry, prosthetics, urology, and vision care. Some medical centers also offer advanced services such as organ transplants and plastic surgery.