Rehabilitation Case Worker
The rehabilitation case worker is a human services professional who specializes in helping people with disabilities acquire or maintain employment. By assessing the clients various strengths, work skills, capabilities and interests the rehabilitation case worker can assist the client in achieving their employment goals. Once an assessment has been made additional services can be rendered such as counseling, guidance, training and independent living services. Combining these programs gives the client the greatest potential to achieve and maintain their employment goals.
Some of the services a rehabilitation case worker might provide include:
- Work skill assessment
- Counseling and guidance
- Assistive technology acquisition and training
- Job training services
- Job placement services
- Independent living services
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The Role of Rehabilitation Case Workers in Human Services
By providing a rehabilitative approach to disabilities whether caused from working accidents, chronic injuries or a life-long condition, the rehabilitation case worker gives the client the tools to be successful in pursuing and maintaining employment. The rehabilitation case worker focuses their energies on empowering their client to find a vocation that enables them to flourish and maximize their potential. The client then enters the workforce with their new skill sets, technological understanding and confidence that they can perform their job function at a high level.
Impact on society:
- Increases skilled labor force
- Helps employers conform to statutes around equal opportunity employment.
- Reduces dependence on government assistance
- Empowers members of society toward independent living
Impact on the individual:
For the client, working with a rehabilitation case worker can be a life changing experience. By accurately assessing their skills, abilities and vocational interests the client begins to see what is possible. Then with trainings in independent living the client is given renewed sense of confidence and self-esteem. Finally, through job training, technological training and job placement programs the individual is given the tools to succeed in their desired field. All of this leads to a sense of independence and wellbeing for the individual.
Impact on the family:
By helping the client become independent the rehabilitation case worker reduces strains on families that have become accustomed to providing help and resources to disabled family members. This can decrease familial stress in both the emotional and monetary realms. This in turn can help the family to relax into a natural state of healthy connection and harmony.
Education to Become a Rehabilitation Case Worker
To become a rehabilitation case worker a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a Behavioral Science plus a year or more experience working in a rehabilitation related work environment is required. In most cases, a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, A Master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or a field related to vocational rehabilitation (such as one that promotes the physical, psychosocial, or vocational well-being of individuals with disabilities) is required for employment.
The Range of Salaries for Rehabilitation Case Workers
The typical salary range for rehabilitation case workers is $35,950 to $63,790.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2019. National 50th – 90th percentile range for Rehabilitation Counselors. Salaries based on national data not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed March 2021.
What’s next to pursue a Rehabilitation Case Worker Career
The surest route to employment as a rehabilitation case worker is by attaining a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling, Psychology, Counseling or a field related to vocational rehabilitation. Here are some top schools with ideal programs to get you started.