What is a vocational rehab counselor?

Vocational rehab counselors help people with disabilities plan careers. They also help them find and keep satisfying jobs. They assess the person's:

• Education and job training history before the disability

• Skills and ability to train since the disability

• Personal interest and motivation

• Financial needs

• Progress after job placement

Vocational rehab counselors make sure that disabled people know their rights and protections under the Americans with Disabilities Act. These counselors also mediate job accommodation issues between disabled employees and their employers. They are responsible for continued counseling, reevaluation, and reeducation of the person on job issues.

Vocational rehab counselors work in many settings, such as:

• Inpatient rehab centers

• Outpatient rehab centers

• Psychiatric care settings

• Industrial health settings

• Private practice

Vocational rehab counselors have earned their master's degrees. They may need to pass an exam to be licensed in the state they practice or to be certified, or both. Many are also educated as psychologists.