What Does it Take to Be a Rehabilitation Counselor?
Rehabilitation Counselor Definition 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
- Develop and maintain relationships with community referral sources, such as schools or community groups.
- Manage budgets and direct case service allocations, authorizing expenditures and payments.
- Analyze information from interviews, educational and medical records, consultation with other professionals, and diagnostic evaluations to assess clients' abilities, needs, and eligibility for services.
- Participate in job development and placement programs, contacting prospective employers, placing clients in jobs, and evaluating the success of placements.
- Arrange for physical, mental, academic, vocational, and other evaluations to obtain information for assessing clients' needs and developing rehabilitation plans.
- 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 Required Skills
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 for this Occupation:
- Resource Navigator
- Disability Program Navigator
- Supportive Employment Case Manager
- Program Coordinator
- Correctional Classification Counselor
Are There Job Opportunities for Rehabilitation Counselors?
In the United States, there were 119,300 jobs for Rehabilitation Counselor in 2016. 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.
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 |
What Tools 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
How do I Become 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 Work
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
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.
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