Rehabilitation Counsellor

Summary

Rehabilitation counsellors assist people with disability, medical conditions or experiencing social disadvantage to attain individual rehabilitation goals, including return to paid employment.

They assist people with physical or psychological disabilities, refugees, ex-offenders, disadvantaged youth and those experiencing long-term unemployment.

Duties & Tasks

Rehabilitation counsellors may perform the following tasks:

  • counsel clients adjusting to disability
  • undertake comprehensive assessment of the client's vocational, social, medical, educational, personal and psychological needs in order to develop an individual rehabilitation plan
  • plan, develop, implement and monitor individual client rehabilitation programs, making sure that appropriate services are provided within these programs
  • refer clients for medical examinations and psychological or psychiatric evaluations
  • use a variety of assessment tools, tests and strategies to assess a client's particular interests, abilities, skills, motivation, attitude, values and knowledge in order to establish life or vocational goals
  • provide career development services to clients
  • analyse and use labour market information when making decisions about a client's vocational choices
  • arrange formal or on-the-job training for clients as part of their rehabilitation goals
  • check a client's progress in training or employment phases of the rehabilitation program
  • evaluate the effectiveness of redeployment and recommend further action
  • manage the placement of clients into suitable paid employment or back into the community after coordinating the client's required training
  • negotiate and manage a gradual return or introduction to a job to ensure a smooth transition
  • talk to insurance companies, medical practitioners, community organisations and other professionals to ensure all parties are consulted regarding the client's individual rehabilitation program
  • provide an information and advisory service to organisations that assist people with disabilities or social disadvantage.

Working Conditions

Rehabilitation counsellors work as case managers and may be part of a team comprising medical, therapy and related rehabilitation personnel.

Personal Requirements

  • good communication skills
  • good problem-solving skills
  • a supportive and tactful approach to people's problems
  • able to work independently or as part of a team.

Related Courses:

Related Careers

Browse Alphabetically