SENIOR VOCATIONAL REHAB COUNSELOR - 64083036

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Open Competitive Opportunity

This position requires daily in-office and field work. 

Your Specific Responsibilities:

This is a professional counseling position providing case management services to both pediatric and adult individuals with brain and/or spinal cord injuries.

Applicant Eligibility Determination: Determines applicant’s program eligibility through an assessment of their medical and residency status, potential to reintegrate into the community, as well as other program requirements as defined in the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program’s Policies and Procedures.

• Provides case management services independently for a caseload ranging from approximately 10-15 referrals per month.
• Contacts referral source to ensure all documentation is received to determine eligibility. Depending on the individual’s injury, this may take weeks or up to the 60-90-day policy before placing the Applicant in service or closing.
• Call the client or family member to make introductions, explain the program’s purpose and if eligible, arrange a time for the Initial Interview. 

Case Management: Conducts initial interviews to determine service needs of client. Develops in conjunction with the client or family a plan of services including an assessment of available third-party benefits. Implements, monitors, and routinely evaluates client’s progress towards community reintegration and their plan of services. Identifies service providers and works in conjunction with VR Tech to authorize services. Provides referrals to other agencies. Responds to client, family and provider needs relating to service provision. All Case Management activities will be carried out in accordance with the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program’s Policies and Procedures.

• Assess short-term and long-term needs and establishes case management objectives for a caseload of 30-50.
• Performs the Initial Interviews via phone or a field-based scenario depending on the relation to referral and discharge i.e. hospital, home or SNF environment.
• Collaborates with the family and referral source regarding the discharge needs based on the documents obtained indicating the need for immediate medically necessary equipment to be provided for a safe discharge home for both the Applicant, now Client, and their providers.
• Arrange delivery of the approved DME’s with vendors while obtaining bids if applicable
• Determine funding sources to create the individualized Care Plan accurately.
• Set up outpatient therapies with the designated and participating rehabilitation centers.
• Facilitate Pediatric cases by consulting with therapists, schools, and doctors to ensure collaboration between the parties provide ongoing education through mandated programs such as ESE Exception Student Education IEP- Individual Education Plan Accommodations and Services, 504 Plans, and Homebound schooling.  
• Acts as liaison and client’s advocate between the clients/family, physician and facilities/agencies, and Guardians if applicable.

• Manages active cases based on case intensity and acuity. Specialty Case Manager caseloads such as Pediatric may vary as ongoing consulting with therapists, schools, and doctors are necessary for a successful and smooth integration.

• Interacts continuously with consumers, family, physician(s) and other providers utilizing monthly progress notes, doctor’s visit notes and recommendations to determine changes in the Care Plans of how this is affecting the client’s progress or lack thereof.
• Assess the options for care including use of benefits and community resources to update the Care Plan.
• Answer residents’ questions about their care, treatment plans, illness progression and all other issues so they feel safe and secure in our care.
• Transfer appropriate cases within and  other regions communicating both verbally and through Transfer Summaries the status and needs of the client.
• Conduct proper closures following in accordance with the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program’s Policies and Procedures.
• Maintain accurate and real time records of all case management activities in the RIMS System using HIPAA guidelines.

Documentation: Documents all activities related to the applicant/client’s case including, but not limited to, case notes, medical records, contacts (phone conversations, emails, faxes, etc. related to the applicant/client) and consultative reports in the Rehabilitation Information Management System (RIMS). All documentation activities will be carried out in accordance with the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program’s Policies and Procedures. Budget: Monitors and manages budget for their caseload as outlined in the Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program Policies and Procedures.

• Respond to legal and Social Security in a timely manner when records are requested. This potentially saves money for the program through reimbursements and expedites the client’s financial status respectively.

Liaison Activities: Develops working relationships with hospital personnel, community partners, service providers, and other related professionals. Provides technical assistance relating to client needs to hospital personnel, community partners, service providers and others as needed. Participates in and when requested leads in-service briefings or program overviews for hospital personnel, community partners, service providers, and other related professionals. All activities and information provided while conducting liaison activities must be approved by the Operations Services Manager in advance.

Other related duties as assigned.

• Participate in ongoing Focus Groups, Trainings, and Educational Sessions requirements for program services.
• Complete required monthly data for Travel and Cell Phones
• Providing various feedback as requested by leadership teams in a timely manner.

• Adapting to changes in policies, procedures, and new techniques on an ongoing basis.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of interviewing techniques

Ability to compile, organize and analyze medical and psychological data.

Ability to provide counseling and guidance.

Ability to provide programmatic information and referral services.

Ability to identify community resources.

Ability to plan, organize and coordinate day to day work activities.

Ability to actively listen and communicate effectively with others.

Ability to accurately manage budgetary allocations based on client caseload.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Knowledge of the acute and long-term care needs of people with disabilities.

Knowledge of and skills with software: Office 365, Adobe Pro, Case Management Software.

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.

Knowledge of and ability to understand and apply statutes, rules, and administrative and program policies and procedures.

Qualifications:

Experience providing case management services to people with disabilities.

Travel Time:  25-50%

Where You Will Work:

1001 Executive Center Drive, Suite 101, Orlando, Fl. 32803

The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions

(For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);

• Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Tuition waivers;
• And more!

For a more complete list of benefits, including monthly costs, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Please be advised:

Your responses to qualifying questions for this position must be verifiable by documentation provided through the electronic application process.  

This position requires a security background check and/or drug screening and participation in direct deposit. Any misrepresentations or omissions will disqualify you from employment consideration. Note: You will be required to provide your Social Security Number (SSN) in order to conduct this background check Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment for safety-sensitive positions.

Male applicants born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion unless they are registered with the Selective Services System (SSS) before their 26th birthday, or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov 

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida.  Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement. 

The successful candidate will be required to complete the Form I-9 and that information will be verified using the E-Verify system.  E-Verify is operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration to verify employment eligibility.   

Incumbents may be required to perform emergency duty before, during, and/or beyond normal work hours or days.

All Florida Department of Health positions require the incumbent to be able to learn and communicate effectively, orally and in writing, in English. Applicants who do not meet this requirement will not be considered.  

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. 

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act. 

Florida has the third largest population of veterans in the nation with more than 1.5 million service men and women.  The Florida Department of Health (department) is committed to serving members of the United States Armed Forces, veterans and their families by encouraging them to apply for vacancies that fit their area of knowledge and/or expertise.  Through the Department's VALOR program, which expedites licensing for military veterans, the Department also waives initial licensing and application fees for military veterans who apply for a health care professional license within 60 months of an honorable discharge. These initiatives help ensure that the transition from military service into the workforce is as smooth as possible and reflects our appreciation for the dedication devoted to protecting our country.    

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE.  Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply.  Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements.  Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code.  Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here.  All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.