Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellor Job Summary:

In accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values, and strategic directions of Provincial Health Services Authority patient safety is a priority and a responsibility shared by everyone at PHSA, and as such, the requirement to continuously improve quality and safety is inherent in all aspects of this position.
Reporting to the Provincial Lead, the Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellor, Sole Charge, is the only regular employee of this discipline/profession at BC Cancer and provides rehabilitation counselling services to cancer patients and their families. The Vocational Rehabilitation Counsellor is responsible for assessing requirements and developing individual vocational plans for patients; monitoring and evaluating patients' progress and participating in overall case planning; developing and supporting training and employment opportunities and performing other related duties in order to provide vocational opportunities and improve work skills. Provides liaison with community agencies. Provides consultation to other disciplines interprets vocational rehabilitation counselling role and works as a member of interdisciplinary teams. Counsels patients and families concerning emotional needs and practical problems of advanced complexity and psychosocial aspects of cancer management.

Duties/Accountabilities:

1. Counsels patients regarding problems of adjustment to and acceptance of limitations imposed by cancer as they relate to employability.
2. Prepares written and oral reports and assessments of patient's vocational potential, and provides guidance and direction to patients who wish to pursue a vocational program.
3. In conjunction with the patient, other health care professionals, and participating agencies, prepares a plan for the vocational rehabilitation of the patient. Provides follow-up and monitoring to patients to ensure they are advancing with their vocational plans at an appropriate pace.
4. Contacts former employers as needed to advocate for patient's return to previous place of employment.
5. Offers individual or group guidance and counselling in matters such as prevocational and vocational skill building, including instruction in job search skills, resume preparation, and job interviewing skills.
6. Counsels patients and families concerning emotional needs and practical help problems of advanced complexity; assumes leadership of group programs and development of groups to meet needs of patients and families.
7. Provides consultation to other disciplines, provides information on the vocational rehabilitation counselling role and works as a member of interdisciplinary teams.
8. Provides liaison with community agencies. Identifies patients' needs for services and makes appropriate referrals, or develops alternate strategies for patient support, education and follow-up care.
9. Participates in planning and development of educational activities provincially such as in-service programs and clinical network meetings.
10. Participates in the planning and development of the department's quality improvement program. (e.g. through input to the planning process).
11. Provides clinical guidance to students and volunteers as required.
12. Participates in research projects as directed.
13. Maintains current knowledge and awareness of trends and activities in clinical practice including individual counselling methods, family therapy and group dynamics.
14. Maintains, compiles and reports workload statistics and clinical reports consistent with established quality improvement standards.
15. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Education, Training and Experience
• University Degree in Social Work, Clinical or Counselling Psychology plus completion of a Masters Degree or post graduate training in Vocational Rehabilitation Counselling, or equivalent Masters level education.
• Certification or eligible to apply for certification in Vocational Rehabilitation, such as certified vocational rehabilitation professional (CVRP).
• Minimum of one (1) year experience in clinical/vocational rehabilitation counselling in an interdisciplinary setting including experience in individual, marital, and family counselling group work, and program and community development.
Skills and Abilities
• Interpersonal skills including the ability to communicate effectively with patient, families, staff and the public.
• Ability to work independently and cooperatively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Ability to deal with others tactfully and with sensitivity.
• Physical ability to perform the duties of the position.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Ability to use computer programs.