What are the job duties in vocational rehabilitation?

I'm thinking about a career in vocational rehabilitation, but I'm not exactly sure what the job duties entail. Can someone explain what this role typically involves and what kind of tasks I might be responsible for?

A role in vocational rehabilitation usually involves providing a wide range of services to help individuals with injuries, illnesses, or disabilities achieve career and independent living goals against various barriers. The position can vary, depending on the particular job and setting, but here are some standard job duties based on the core responsibilities:

- Assessment of Client Needs: You'll assess the skill level, abilities, and interests of individuals who have disabilities to determine their capacity for work. This could involve conducting interviews, administering tests, and observing client behaviors.

- Development of Rehabilitation Plans: Crafting rehabilitation or treatment plans based on the abilities, needs, and career goals of each client is one crucial task. These plans generally aim to maintain, restore, or improve the client's physical or mental health, as well as enhance job skills leading to employment.

- Training and Skill Development: Depending on the client's needs, you may provide vocational training, skills development courses, coaching for job interviews, and, in some cases, life skills training.

- Counseling and Case Management: Vocational rehabilitation counselors often provide therapeutic counseling or support services to deal with the emotional and psychological facets of disability and job hunting. Plus, they manage cases, which involves tracking the progress, writing reports, and making necessary adjustments to the strategy.

- Job Placement Support: You may assist clients in finding and applying for jobs. This can involve teaching job search strategies, developing resumes, or helping with job applications.

- Coordination with Other Professionals: In many cases, you will collaborate with other professionals like doctors, psychologists, employers, and occupational therapists, sharing information, and coordinating services as required.

Remember, the exact tasks can depend on your specific role, the organization, and target populations you're working with, but the duties I mentioned above serve as a general guideline. This field enables you to make a real, positive impact on people's lives, which can be very rewarding.