What You Need to Know About Rehabilitation Counselor
Rehabilitation Counselor Job Description Counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, or the stress of daily life. Coordinate activities for residents of care and treatment facilities. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement.
Life As a Rehabilitation Counselor: What Do They Do?
- Analyze information from interviews, educational and medical records, consultation with other professionals, and diagnostic evaluations to assess clients’ abilities, needs, and eligibility for services.
- Prepare and maintain records and case files, including documentation such as clients’ personal and eligibility information, services provided, narratives of client contacts, or relevant correspondence.
- Develop diagnostic procedures to determine clients’ needs.
- Develop rehabilitation plans that fit clients’ aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities, and career goals.
- Collaborate with community agencies to establish facilities and programs for persons with disabilities.
- Locate barriers to client employment, such as inaccessible work sites, inflexible schedules, or transportation problems, and work with clients to develop strategies for overcoming these barriers.
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Rehabilitation Counselor Needed Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Rehabilitation Counselors say are important on the job.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Coordination: Adjusting actions in relation to others’ actions.
Related Job Titles
- Residence Counselor
- Developmental Training Counselor
- Rehabilitation Counselor for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Career Specialist
- Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant
Are There Job Opportunities for Rehabilitation Counselors?
There were about 119,300 jobs for Rehabilitation Counselor in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 12.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 15,100 new jobs for Rehabilitation Counselor by 2026. There will be an estimated 14,500 positions for Rehabilitation Counselor per year.
The states with the most job growth for Rehabilitation Counselor are Arizona, Virginia, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Minnesota, Wyoming, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Rehabilitation Counselors Salary
Rehabilitation Counselors make between $22,990 and $63,820 a year.
Rehabilitation Counselors who work in New Jersey, Rhode Island, or Alaska, make the highest salaries.
How much do Rehabilitation Counselors make in different U.S. states?
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $43,080 |
| Alaska | $60,900 |
| Arizona | $33,870 |
| Arkansas | $35,460 |
| California | $37,250 |
| Colorado | $52,620 |
| Connecticut | $44,540 |
| Delaware | $34,820 |
| District of Columbia | $49,400 |
| Florida | $37,790 |
| Georgia | $40,560 |
| Hawaii | $43,340 |
| Idaho | $41,310 |
| Illinois | $40,260 |
| Indiana | $40,930 |
| Iowa | $36,310 |
| Kansas | $32,280 |
| Kentucky | $37,200 |
| Louisiana | $44,650 |
| Maine | $50,860 |
| Maryland | $42,060 |
| Massachusetts | $45,230 |
| Michigan | $40,810 |
| Minnesota | $41,100 |
| Mississippi | $37,910 |
| Missouri | $37,190 |
| Montana | $36,880 |
| Nebraska | $38,290 |
| Nevada | $41,230 |
| New Hampshire | $45,870 |
| New Jersey | $65,350 |
| New Mexico | $38,460 |
| New York | $36,040 |
| North Carolina | $39,500 |
| North Dakota | $47,930 |
| Ohio | $39,890 |
| Oklahoma | $26,150 |
| Oregon | $44,100 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,980 |
| Rhode Island | $57,430 |
| South Carolina | $32,720 |
| South Dakota | $41,550 |
| Tennessee | $26,080 |
| Texas | $44,910 |
| Utah | $44,900 |
| Vermont | $44,070 |
| Virginia | $43,840 |
| Washington | $49,940 |
| West Virginia | $33,150 |
| Wisconsin | $31,510 |
| Wyoming | $36,870 |
What Tools & Technology do Rehabilitation Counselors Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Rehabilitation Counselors:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Spreadsheet software
- Scheduling software
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Electronic medical record EMR software
- Global positioning system GPS software
- Encryption software
- Adobe Systems Adobe Reader
- Netscape Navigator
- Budgeting software
- Voice recognition software
- Test interpretation software
- Chart Links
Becoming a Rehabilitation Counselor
Learn what Rehabilitation Counselor education requirements there are.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Rehabilitation Counselor?
Who Employs Rehabilitation Counselors?
Below are examples of industries where Rehabilitation Counselors work:
Similar Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Rehabilitation Counselor might also be interested in the following careers:
- Adult Basic and Secondary Education and Literacy Teachers and Instructors
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
Career changers with experience as a Rehabilitation Counselor sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: Barbara E. Carver via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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