Vocational Counselor

Salary: 40,000

Schedule: 10:30-7 M-Th, 8:30-5 F

Location: Multiple locations in Joliet, New Lenox, Lockport, Ellwood

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Under the direction and immediate supervision of the Clinical Director, the Vocational Counselor supervises vocational activities for persons receiving services. The Vocational Counselor also works with the multidisciplinary treatment team to assist these clients in clarifying and achieving vocational goals that will enhance functioning within a competitive employment setting.

REPORTS TO:

Clinical Director

NETWORK OR DEPARTMENT:

Network 4

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Supervises individuals working on a cleaning crew while assisting them in achieving progress towards their vocational goals
• Creates work schedules and shares them with PSR staff
• Meets or exceeds benchmark of service billing set for their role by the Clinical Director and Network 4 Director
• Demonstrates knowledge of correct procedures for Medicaid billing and documents all Medicaid services provided in a timely fashion
• Communicates any concerns regarding persons working on the cleaning crew to the Clinical Director and other appropriate members of the multidisciplinary treatment team.
• Demonstrates an ability to interact with program participants in an effective manner that promotes a therapeutic relationship
• Demonstrates readiness to work in coordination with the multidisciplinary treatment team to ensure that any concerns regarding vocational functioning are addressed
• Works with Clinical Director to develop evidenced-based strategies for teaching important job-related skills and facilitating progress towards vocational goals
• Conceptualizes a client's behaviors in a phenomenologically empathic manner, drawing upon a working knowledge of behavioral principals with the support and supervision of the Clinical Director

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Willingness to utilize behavioral interventions under the supervision of the Clinical Director to assist persons in learning job related skills
• Willingness to assist persons in learning alternatives to challenging behaviors that arise in work settings so that they may adapt to a broader range of competitive employment options.
• Able to deal effectively with staff and program participants
• Able to execute policies, procedures, and regulations and when necessary explain them to program participants, family members, members of the community, and staff from other agencies
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Strongly self-motivated

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Be able to lift over 40 pounds from floor to waist unassisted
• Be able to push and pull 75 pounds
• Be able to complete deep knee squats
• Be able to push wheelchairs up to 200 pounds
• Remain in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods
• Operate motor vehicles
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to, stand, sit; talk, hear, and use hands and fingers to operate a computer and telephone keyboard reach, stoop kneel to install computer equipment
• Physical activities that could be used include: driving, balancing, pulling, pushing, standing, climbing, grasping, stooping, crouching, crawling, kneeling, reaching, lifting, and repetitive motion.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's Degree in social work, psychology, or related field.