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Rehabilitation Counsellor

They assist people with physical or psychological disabilities, refugees, ex-offenders, disadvantaged youth and those experiencing long-term unemployment.

Rehabilitation counsellors work as case managers and may be part of a team comprising medical, therapy and related rehabilitation personnel.

TASKS

Rehabilitation counsellors may perform the following tasks:

counsel clients adjusting to disability
undertake comprehensive assessment of the client's vocational, social, medical, educational, personal and psychological needs in order to develop an individual rehabilitation plan
plan, develop, implement and monitor individual client rehabilitation programmes, ensuring appropriate services are provided within these programmes
refer clients for medical examinations and psychological or psychiatric evaluations
use a variety of assessment tools, tests and strategies to assess a client's particular interests, abilities, skills, motivation, attitude, values and knowledge in order to establish life or vocational goals
provide career development services to clients
analyse and use labour market information when making decisions about a client's vocational choices
arrange formal or on-the-job training for clients as part of their rehabilitation goals
check a client's progress in training or employment phases of the rehabilitation programme
evaluate the effectiveness of redeployment and recommend further action
manage the placement of clients into suitable paid employment or back into the community after coordinating the client's required training
negotiate and manage a gradual return or introduction to a job to ensure a smooth transition
talk to insurance companies, medical practitioners, community organisations and other professionals to ensure all parties are consulted regarding the client's individual rehabilitation programme
provide an information and advisory service to organisations that assist people with disability or social disadvantage

PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS

good communication skills
good problem-solving skills
a supportive and tactful approach to people's problems
able to work independently or as part of a team

Interest Area

EDUCATION & TRAINING

To become a rehabilitation counsellor you usually have to complete a degree in health science or an allied health field at university, followed by a postgraduate qualification in rehabilitation counselling.

To get into the degree courses you usually need to gain your HSC/ACT Year 12. Prerequisite subjects, or assumed knowledge, in one or more of English, mathematics, biology, chemistry or physics are normally required. Entry to postgraduate courses usually requires completion of a relevant bachelor degree. A number of universities in Australia offer relevant degrees.

Universities have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements. Contact the universities you are interested in for more information as requirements may change.

Additional Information

Graduates may be eligible for membership of the Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors (ASORC) and the Rehabilitation Counselling Association of Australasia (RCAA). Membership may also be available for students.

Additional training is also available on the job and through short in- service courses and professional development sessions conducted by ASORC.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Rehabilitation counsellors are employed by CRS Australia and other agencies accredited under various compensation and labour market schemes. They may also work in private practice and in the in-house services of large companies.

Demand for rehabilitation counsellors is influenced by government legislation regarding eligibility for disability benefits and employment services.