Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment
Successful Vocational Evaluators and Work Adjustment Specialists must be imaginative and practical, able to think outside the box to create unique solutions for the accommodation of individuals with disabilities in the workplace.
Vocational evaluation is a comprehensive process of vocational exploration
and assessment designed to assist individuals in identifying their vocational
options. Vocational Evaluators must have an understanding
of a variety of physical and mental disabilities and above-average communication
skills. They are responsible for selecting, administering and interpreting
a broad assortment of evaluation instruments including psychometric tests,
commercial work sample systems, and situational assessments. They often
modify standard instruments or develop new instruments in order to effectively
respond to local labor markets or accommodate individual needs.
Work Adjustment Specialists provide services focusing on pre-employment skill development and the implementation of systematic, individualized treatment and training programs for people with disabilities. These specialists must have skills in behavior change techniques, individual and group counseling, instructional techniques, job development, job placement and community integration.
Preparation
Minimum requirements for individuals seeking employment as a Vocational
Evaluator or Work Adjustment Specialist are a bachelor's degree in rehabilitation
or closely related field with extensive approved work experience and specialized
training. Individuals with a master’s degree in their respective
rehabilitation specialty areas are preferred for work in either position.
Certification
Graduates of vocational evaluation specialization programs may apply to
the Commission on Certification of Work Adjustment and Vocational Evaluation
Specialists (CCWAVES) for national certification as a Certified Vocational
Evaluator (CVE). The CVE is awarded to individuals having competence in
essential performance areas as demonstrated by education, training, professional
experience, and successful completion of a national certification examination
administered by CCWAVES. CCWAVES also administers certification for the
Certified Work Adjustment (CWA) specialty.
While most states do not have licensure or other specific credentials
for Vocational Evaluators or Work Adjustment Specialists, they may rely
on the CVE and CWA as a standard for professional qualifications. The
Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) requires
the CVE credential when certifying programs in vocational evaluation.
Opportunities
Vocational Evaluators and Work Adjustment Specialists may be employed
in any setting that concentrates on facilitating the integration of people
with disabilities into the community workplace. Employment settings may
include state vocational rehabilitation agencies, private non-profit rehabilitation
agencies or facilities, independent living centers, psychiatric and addiction
treatment centers, head injury treatment centers, hospitals, public schools,
mental health and developmental disability programs, correctional facilities,
and university-based programs.
Find
out more about Vocational Rehabilitation
(Excerpts from the
Careers in Vocational Rehabilitation Booklet)
Who
makes a good rehabilitation professional?
Preparing for a Career in Vocational Rehabilitation
Questions about a Career in Vocational Rehabilitation
Vocational
Rehabilitation Professions:
Rehabilitation
Counseling
Rehabilitation Counselors
Rehabilitation of Individuals Who Are Blind
or Have Vision Impairments
Orientation and Mobility Specialists
Rehabilitation Teachers
Vocational Evaluation and Work Adjustment
Vocational Evaluators
Work Adjustment Specialists
Job Development and Placement Specialists
Rehabilitation of Individuals who are Deaf or Hard
of Hearing
Deafness Rehabilitation Professionals
Interpreters for Deaf Individuals
Undergraduate Education in the Rehabilitation
Services
Rehabilitation Practitioners
Rehabilitation Administration
Other Vocational Rehabilitation Professions
Rehabilitation Medicine, Physiatrists, Rehabilitation Nurses
Prosthetics & Orthotics
Rehabilitation Technologists
Rehabilitation Psychologist
Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists
Interview with
Stephanie Monroe
Rehabilitation Specialist/Vocational Evaluator
"We're able to help them realize how much potential and how many different options they have.".