Under general supervision of a Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor and the guidance of a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor 4, this paraprofessional classification supports Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisors to ensure clients with varying degrees of disabling conditions achieve a competitive employment outcome. Assists in performing tasks such as:

• conducting basic client orientations and intake interviews;
• collecting medical and other records needed for eligibility determinations;
• assisting in the development of Individualized Plans for Employment (IPE);
• scheduling client appointments;
• supporting successful client participation through all facets of the vocational rehabilitation process;
• tracking case movement to assure key service delivery timelines are met.

Incumbents have limited latitude in resolving technical issues and interpreting or applying vocational rehabilitation policies and procedures.

Schedules and conducts client orientations and intake interviews;

Processes applications for vocational rehabilitation services;

Collects relevant medical and other records used by Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors to determine an applicant’s eligibility for vocational rehabilitation services, including arranging medical and other diagnostic services when necessary.

Assists Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors and their eligible clients with the Individualized Plans for Employment that identify the vocational rehabilitation services to be provided to an individual by arranging vocational and other necessary assessments, responding to client inquiries, working with clients to gather occupational information, and performing tasks that contribute to successful client employment outcomes;

Makes administrative arrangements for the provision of vocational rehabilitation services to clients when their IPE has been approved or amended, such as medical, psychiatric and psychological services, academic or vocational training, job placement, and other services;

Either prepares and processes authorizations for purchase of approved client services or issues payments for the same;

Assists and provides support with monitoring clients’ progress towards achieving competitive employment outcomes;

Maintains timely and complete client records, including required entries in the electronic case management tracking and recording system;

Tracks case movement on a regular basis to assure key service delivery timelines are met, and reminds Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors in advance when action is due;

Provides information and referral services to eligible clients when they are on a waiting list for vocational rehabilitation services;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge of:  available community resources, needs, concerns, and attitudes of individuals who experience all types of disabilities; record keeping; and departmental policies and procedures.

Ability to: communicate clearly, both orally and in writing; effectively and responsively interact with a wide array of individuals with diverse and often disadvantaged backgrounds who may have substantial barriers to communication or interpersonal interaction, develop and maintain effective working relationships; with co-workers, clients, vendors, other agencies and the public; conduct effective interviews, synthesize and explain complex information.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Two years of college-level coursework and one year of experience providing direct services to clients in a non-retail environment.

 OR

 Additional experience and education will substitute for the required education or experience.

 Employees within the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, DSHS, must meet mandatory training requirements specified by the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation policy.