All About Rehabilitation Counselors
Job Description & Duties 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.
Daily Life Of a Rehabilitation Counselor
- Develop rehabilitation plans that fit clients’ aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities, and career goals.
- 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.
- Confer with clients to discuss their options and goals so that rehabilitation programs and plans for accessing needed services can be developed.
- Participate in job development and placement programs, contacting prospective employers, placing clients in jobs, and evaluating the success of placements.
- Confer with physicians, psychologists, occupational therapists, and other professionals to develop and implement client rehabilitation programs.
- Arrange for physical, mental, academic, vocational, and other evaluations to obtain information for assessing clients’ needs and developing rehabilitation plans.
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Qualities of a Rehabilitation Counselor
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.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Types of Rehabilitation Counselor Jobs
- Correctional Counselor/Case Manager
- Transition Specialist
- Vocational Placement Specialist
- Employment Navigator
- Job Developer
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. The BLS estimates 14,500 yearly job openings in this field.
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.
Salary for a Rehabilitation Counselor
The average yearly salary of a Rehabilitation Counselor ranges between $22,990 and $63,820.
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
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Rehabilitation Counselors may use on a daily basis:
- 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
- Budgeting software
- Netscape Navigator
- 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 many years of work experience do I need?
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
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