Roles and Responsibilities
What is an OA position?
EXTRA 200 points if you can identify three tasks associated with this role the name of the OAII in the Portland VR office.
Office Associate/Assistant
Responsible for clerical tasks:
entering applications
drafting and paying authorizations for payments important part of checks/balances for purchases
hearing aid orders
incoming/outgoing mail
office supply orders
Describe the mission of Vocational Rehabilitation
To assist individuals with disabilities (both youth and adults) to prepare for, find, advance in and maintain employment.
Everybody is ready for something.
Everybody is ready to take a step on the path to employment.
Application is the first step for adults in the VR process. Describe three important things to know about the application process.
Name at least three types of assessments VR might use with or request for a client.
Neuropsychological evaluations
Functional capacity evaluations
Occupational Therapy evaluations
Medical or psychological evaluations
Sexual risk assessment
Career interest and aptitude assessments
Confidentiality
What is the RCI?
Name three tasks associated with the role.
Extra 100 points if you can name the person in this role in the Portland VR office.
Rehabilitation Counselor I
Provides support to RCIIs
Complete intakes with applicants
Coordinates and facilitates workshops
Assists with clerical duties
Supports job tours, informational interviews, job development and job coaching as needed
Explain what "client-informed choice" looks like in the VR process.
guides all decision-making that occurs throughout VR case
Requires client be active in decisions about:
assessments
employment goals
VR services
service providers
how Vocational Rehabilitation services are received
Client must be made aware of information and options available
**factors that influence choices include: client abilities and capabilities, job market, legal and safety issues, cost effectiveness, available financial resources**
The second step in the VR application process is an Intake Meeting. Describe the purpose of this meeting and documentation that must be secured.
Identify and describe at least four Employment Training and/or Services that might be provided to a client by VR.
Career Exploration Workshops
Job Club Sessions
Pathful explore/Connect
Apprenticeship
Paid work experiences
On-the-job training
Short-term specific skill training
Internships
Vocational/technical school
College training
COLLABORATION
What is an RCII?
Describe three tasks associated with the role.
Extra 300 points if you can name five of the RCIIs in the Portland VR office.
Rehabilitation Counselor II
Responsible for all client services
Includes VR process from application – closure
Guidance and Counseling
Working with client to identify Career Pathway
Identifying client services
Identifying and purchasing specific Assistive Technology or Adaptive Equipment
Documentation
Data elements for federal reporting
Employer and community partner collaboration
Ambassador for VR on committees, community presentations and events
What is the ADA and why is it important?
Extra 300 points if you can describe the three provisions of the Rehabilitation Act of 1992.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 1990
emphasizes value of all persons and recognizes full civil rights under law for persons with disabilities
[i.e., full client participation in rehabilitation process, non-discrimination in the workplace, full access to public and private services].
Extra 300 points:
Eligibility Determination is a critical step in the VR process. Describe how an applicant can be determined eligible and the timeframe in which it must be completed.
Presumed Eligibility: The eligibility decision may be immediate if you are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and you plan to go to work.
OOS – Order of Selection: priority categorization to persons with more significant disabilities. Necessary when demand for services exceed the agency’s resources
Pre-ETS: ages 14-21
IEP or 504 Plan
Potentially Eligible
VR Client
Transition up to age 24
Describe what "exploration services" are and what they include.
Exploration Services are opportunities for clients to identify interests, learn about different industries and work environments. Services include:
Communication
What is a CWS?
Describe three tasks associated with the role of CWS.
Extra 200 points if you can name the CWSs in the Portland VR office.
Casework Supervisor
Responsible for:
ensuring all policies, rules and protocol are followed
ensuring all regional and state goals are met
case reviews
identifying, coordinating and implementing necessary training
managing expenditures/budgets
monitors, assigns, reviews, analyzes, and evaluates the quality and quantity of ongoing vocational rehabilitative casework
hiring, training, supervision and accountability of staff related to quality of client service delivery
many meetings and committees (staff, team, unit, leaders, liaisons, etc.)
management of client appeals and due process hearings
Describe 5 important characteristics of the Progressive Employment Model.
Creating a client's Plan for Employment (IPE) is an important process. Describe what this might include and the timeframe in which it must be completed.
Describe the goals and activities related to job coaching.
Goals
Identifying need for Rehabilitation Technology/Assistive Technology
NOT role of job coach to do tasks for the client
Client Engagement
What is an ROI?
Who's responsible for completing an ROI?
What MUST be on an ROI?
Release of Information
Anyone working with client who needs to speak to others on client's behalf
Describe how Vocational Rehabilitation came into law noting the various societal "models".
Medical Model – Social Model – Ecological Model
19th century - Medical Model
Focused on treating people who are “different” due to physical appearance, intellectual functioning and behavior; adapt person to “fit into society” through medical intervention or other treatments
20th Century - Social Gospel Movement
VR program initially developed to support soldiers returning from WWI with re-entering and adjusting to society and work
Ecological model
person-centered focusing on unique strengths and accommodations and adaptive equipment to successfully complete work tasks
Extra 200 pts if you can describe a client example of the ecological model
Determining VR Services – DAILY DOUBLE
Describe considerations the RCII must remember when determining services for each client.
Name 4 for double the points!
Services determined by:
What is needed to achieve employment goal
How long will it take to achieve the employment goal
Most efficient way of achieving employment goal, time and expense
Potential providers of services and best matches for client needs
Barriers to accessing necessary services (transportation, disability-related barriers, etc.)
Comparable benefits
Describe at least three important considerations when a client achieves employment.
Stable Date: determined by client, VRC, employer, CRP and other team members as appropriate
Employer Contact: VRC and/or CRP may contact client’s supervisor to discuss progress with client’s permission
Accommodations: VRC and/or CRP can provide technical assistance to client and employer to identify ways to meet disability related needs. (special equipment or rearranging the work site)
VRC maintains contact thru first 90 days stable on the job, or longer if necessary; CRP may close case upon stable if no additional assistance is required per client, VRC and employer.
Roles and Responsibilities