# Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist, GS-1715-9

**Employment Specialist -- Supported Employment**

I.  **[PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES]{.underline}**

**PRIMARY PURPOSE:** The incumbent serves as a member of the Compensated
Work Therapy/Supported Employment treatment team. He/she recruits,
interviews, completes assessment, and selects suitable clients with
severe mental illnesses for competitive Supported Employment. Conducts
follow-up interviews and evaluation, as needed. The Supported Employment
Project is a national pilot project closely monitored by the VHA North
East Program Evaluation Center (NEPEC) in New Haven, Connecticut. The
focus of the Supported Employment initiative is to promote optimal
occupation functioning for SMI clients within the community.

The Supported Employment Specialist is assigned to Mental Health Care
Line, but is under the clinical and administrative supervision of the
supervisor of the Veterans' Industries Program. The focus of the
services will be to promote optimal occupational functioning of clients
within the community by utilizing appropriate counseling interventions
and psychosocial skills training and development of job placements which
match participating veteran's functional level. All duties performed
should be consistent with the individual treatment plan and coordinated
with other members of the treatment team.

The incumbent will be responsible for implementing Supported Employment
best practice training offered through the CWT/SE Program. The incumbent
will assist as needed in training and guidance to implement the
Supported Employment initiative to other CWT/SE programs across VISN 15.
He/she will advise the Program Supervisor on conditions of the Supported
Employment Program implementation, both locally and at other stations
where input is requested.

**[MAJOR DUTIES:]{.underline}**

**[Monitors Clients' Adjustment]{.underline} 25 Percent**

Counsels and guides the client through difficult transitions or rough
spots in the adjustment to the job. Helps the employer understand the
nature of the client's limitations while maintaining a positive
impression of the client's capability to succeed, implements the
adjustment program and negotiates approval of any significant
modifications to the placement contract. Evaluates the results of the
program and makes sound professional arguments for recommended changes.
Reports program progress in accordance with established procedure.

S/he documents all therapeutic interventions, goals, objectives and
outcomes through the writing of a comprehensive individualized treatment
plan and actively participates in the development of a comprehensive
treatment plan, which meets the guidelines of CARF(Commission on the
Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) and JCAHO (Joint Commission
on the Accreditation of Hospitals), through participation in team
meetings, updating and to remaining current with clinical concerns and
shares strategies, progress, and needed support with other members of
the treatment team. The employment objectives should be an active
ongoing component of the treatment plan. He/she attends and participates
in vocational rehabilitation specialist coordination meetings,
contributes actively to the strategies and support plans for all rehab
clients served by the team and communicates strategies developed to the
treatment team.

The severe limitations of the clients are more apt to result in
dependency. The specialist is typically involved in difficult emotional
and economic problems. Great skill and knowledge are required to
encourage and motivate the individual to become self-sufficient.

The specialist is the primary point of contact between the client and
the agency during these extended periods of time that the case is
active.

The specialist coordinates scheduling and arranges for the clients to
complete program evaluation interviews.

Provides crisis intervention as needed for the client's well-being and
communicates relevant information to the treatment team.

The specialist participates in employment related training opportunities
as offered and recommended by the SE supervisor.

The specialist will meet with the SE supervisor in an appropriate
supervisory arrangement, including telephone conferences, to receive
clinical supervision and support on the implementation of vocational
rehabilitation specialist duties within the context of the treatment
team.

**[Training Design and Execution:]{.underline} 60 Percent**

The incumbent will be responsible for participating in the organization,
planning and implementation of the Supported Employment best practice
training for VISN 15 CWT/SE program.

He/she participates in the Supported Employment initiative training
requirements to meet the training objectives and specific needs of
KCVAMC CWT/SE program and other VISN 15 CWT/SE programs as requested.
Coordinates with program supervisors and staff the various resources
needed to successfully execute and run a SE program. He/she assists in
developing a database of educational and community resources through
VISN 15.

S/he interacts with individuals and groups from a wide variety of
educational levels and socio-economic backgrounds by effectively
applying an assessment of oral and written communication techniques.
S/he functions independently in providing solutions and recommendations
for implementation of the Supported Employment program. Writes reports
on the program development, responses for inquiries and gathers
statistical information for NEPEC reporting, participates in program's
operational and planning meetings, public briefings and other VISN-wide
formal and informal settings where the incumbent publicizes the
Supported Employment Program accomplishments. S/he meets with clinical
providers and community representatives to solicit resources or other
forms of support and cooperation necessary to ensure the program's
success.

**[Program Development:]{.underline} 15 Percent**

Maintains awareness of the program's development and fosters community
contacts. S/he keeps alert for job and small business opportunities and
maintains periodic contacts with potential employers, placement
personnel and other vocational resources. Develops strategies to engage
clients who may be reluctant to actively pursue employment or risk a
reduction of benefits. Evaluates the results of the Supported Employment
Program and makes sound professional arguments for recommended changes.
Reports program progress to the supervisor in accordance with
established procedures.

**II. [FACTORS:]{.underline}**

**Factor 1-6 950 Points**

**Knowledge Required by the Position**

Knowledge of vocational rehabilitation and the use of a wide range of
methods or tools depending on the requirements as well as the
administrative mechanisms appropriate to the assignment. He/she must
possess knowledge and skills required to work with severely mental ill
(SMI) veterans as well as veterans who may have co morbid substance
abuse disorders. She/he must possess knowledge of the types and
availability of training and employment resources for veterans with
these specific types of disabilities, especially the severely mentally
ill (SMI). The incumbent must also have the education, knowledge and
applied skills of theories and methods of counseling psychology and
adult education. He/she must have a level of hands on experience with
this population that s/he can apply and operate therapeutic
interventions independently or with minimal supervision. This can be
verified by either certification from an organization such as USPRA
(United States Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association) and/or Commission
on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC**)** or a combination of
such certifications and/or experience in the area of supported
employment.

She/he must possess working knowledge of MS Word or comparable word
processing software to execute several office automation functions such
as storing and retrieving electronic documents and files, activating
printers, inserting and deleting text, formatting letters, reports and
memoranda, and transmitting and receiving e-mail. He/she will be able to
use PowerPoint software for effective educational/training presentation.
The incumbent will use the Veterans Health Information & Technology
Architecture (Vista) to access information in the Medical Center
Computer System.

**Factor 2-3 275 Points**

**Supervisory Controls**

The incumbent is under the direct supervision of the Supervisor of the
Veterans' Industries Program. Supervision will involve periodic reviews
of work performed and will be provided in a more general consultative
manner. The incumbent is seen as a fully qualified professional who is
capable of performing the principal duties of the position in a
responsible and independent fashion. He/she will adhere to all
professional and ethical standards established by their professional
organizations and medical center policy.

**Factor 3-3 275 Points**

**Guidelines**

Guidelines are general in both the clinical and administrative aspects
of the incumbent's work and available in the form of general policy
statements and memoranda of the Veterans' Industries Program, Mental
Health Care Line, Medical Center, VACO and national and state
professional associations. The incumbent must be able to interpret the
guidelines and adapt and apply them as they relate to the performance of
their duties.

**Factor 4-3 150 Points**

**Complexity**

The incumbent's work requires the ability to complete specialized
vocational rehabilitation services, in a supported employment model, to
individual veterans as well as the use of a variety of VA and non-VA
community resources. These duties require a high level of independent
functioning and good judgment. Incumbent must possess the skills to make
difficult treatment decisions, modify treatment, and utilize the most
effective treatment approach to effectively provide Vocational and
Rehabilitation services to a patient population with severely mentally
ill, substance abuse and/or co morbid psychiatric disorders.

**Factor 5-3 150 Points**

**Scope and Effect**

The incumbent is integral to the provision of vocational rehabilitative
services to veterans in the Veterans Industries Program and the
Supported Employment Project. His/her ability to perform his/her duties
directly impacts on the overall psychological, social and vocational
adjustment of veterans participating in the Supported Employment
initiative.

**Factor 6-2 25 Points**

**Personal Contacts**

Personal contacts are with the general population of veterans within the
medical center. Many of these veterans display a variety of medical
and/or psychiatric conditions that impair their functioning and
judgment. Other personal contacts will include medical center staff in
both professional and support services, family members of patients,
representatives of local businesses and educational and training
programs, representatives of local, state and federal agencies who
provide service to the residents of the domiciliary program. Some of
these contacts will be on a regular basis and others less routine. The
incumbent will determine the extent and purpose of each contact.

**Factor 7-3 120 Points**

**Purpose of Contacts**

The purpose of these contacts is to obtain accurate information from
veterans, family members, medical center staff and community resources
to assist the incumbent in providing vocational services to veterans
participating in Supported Employment and to assist and participate in
the implementation of the training project for professional staff
members. The incumbent must possess the abilities to be skillful in
approaching individuals and groups and be able to establish rapport with
persons who may at times be emotionally distraught, uncooperative, or
dangerous.

**Factor 8-1 5 Points**

**Physical Demands**

The work is primarily sedentary, although some slight physical effort
may be required. There is stress related to providing services to
clients in emotional distress or who may be demanding and uncooperative.

**Factor 9-1 5 Points**

**Work Environment**

Duties will be performed within the confines of the medical center and
in community work sites and agencies providing services to clients.
Risks or discomforts are typical of other similar areas within the
medical center. The nature of the clients served may entail some risk of
physical harm if they become agitated.

Other Significant Facts:

This position requires occasional travel.

S/he meets the needs of customers while supporting VA missions.
Consistently communicates and treats customers (veterans, their
representatives, visitors, and all VA staff) in a courteous, tactful,
and respectful manner. S/he provides the customer with consistent
information according to established policies and procedures. Handles
conflict and problems in dealing with the customer constructively and
appropriately.

The incumbent will adhere to all established ADP security policies and
the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability
Act of 1996 (HIPPA). He/she will ensure information and data will be
protected from unauthorized release, loss, alteration, or deletion.

S/he protects printed and electronic files containing sensitive data in
accordance with the provision of the Privacy Act of 1974 and other
applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policy and VHS&RA
policy. S/he protects the data from unauthorized release or from loss,
alteration, or unauthorized deletion. Follows applicable regulations and
instructions and instructions regarding access to computerized files,
release of access codes, etc., as set out in the computer access
agreement that the employee signs.

Use MS Word or comparable word processing software to execute several
office automation functions such as storing and retrieving electronic
documents and files, activating printers, inserting and deleting text,
formatting letters, reports and memoranda, and transmitting and
receiving e-mail.

S/he uses the Veterans Health Information & Technology Architecture
(Vista) to access information in the Medical Center Computer System.

The incumbent demonstrates sensitivity to the cultural issues of the
clients served, and understanding of the age related issues and
competency in providing services to clients 18 to 85 years of age or
older.

Incumbent will perform duties as needed and assigned at any of the sites
within VA VISN 15. The position requires that the incumbent must possess
a valid state driver\'s license.