What is a 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.
A Day in the Life of a Rehabilitation Counselor
- Collaborate with clients’ families to implement rehabilitation plans, such as behavioral, residential, social, or employment goals.
- Monitor and record clients’ progress to ensure that goals and objectives are met.
- Confer with physicians, psychologists, occupational therapists, and other professionals to develop and implement client rehabilitation programs.
- Manage budgets and direct case service allocations, authorizing expenditures and payments.
- Collaborate with community agencies to establish facilities and programs for persons with disabilities.
- Confer with clients to discuss their options and goals so that rehabilitation programs and plans for accessing needed services can be developed.
Featured schools near , edit
What Every Rehabilitation Counselor Should Know
Rehabilitation Counselors state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
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
- Career Specialist
- Qualified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
- Rehabilitation Liaison (Rehab Liaison)
- Vocational Evaluator
- Coordinator of Rehabilitation Services
Rehabilitation Counselor Job Outlook
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 119,300 jobs in the United States for Rehabilitation Counselor. 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. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 14,500 job openings in this field each 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.
How Much Does a Rehabilitation Counselor Make?
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 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Rehabilitation Counselors
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
What education or degrees do I need to become a Rehabilitation Counselor?
How Long Does it Take to Become a Rehabilitation Counselor?
Where Rehabilitation Counselors Are Employed
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Similar Careers
Those interested in being a Rehabilitation Counselor may also be interested in:
- Adult Basic and Secondary Education and Literacy Teachers and Instructors
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
Those who work as a Rehabilitation Counselor sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:
References:
Image Credit: Barbara E. Carver via Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
More about our data sources and methodologies.
GradDegree.com provides higher-education, college and university, degree, program, career, salary, and other helpful information to students, faculty, institutions, and other internet audiences. Presented information and data are subject to change. Inclusion on this website does not imply or represent a direct relationship with the company, school, or brand. Information, though believed correct at time of publication, may not be correct, and no warranty is provided. Contact the schools to verify any information before relying on it. Financial aid may be available for those who qualify. The displayed options may include sponsored or recommended results, not necessarily based on your preferences.
© GradDegree.com – All Rights Reserved.