Vocational Evaluations are performed to determine an individual’s capabilities in returning to employment following an injury or sustaining a disability. We focus on these core areas for each individual:

• Residual functional capacity based on objective medical evidence

• Transferable skills analysis

• Rehabilitation planning

Vocational Evaluations focus on the socioeconomic and objective medical evidence for each individual. We present transferable skills the individual possesses to ascertain what occupations within their local economy they can perform within their restrictions. 

Vocational testing is conducted to ascertain intellectual and academic abilities as well as occupational interests. Recommendations are made to assist the individual return to employment either through Job Placement Assistance or vocational retraining.

Job Placement Assistance is a service that focuses on assisting individuals in returning to employment: 

• Within the restrictions issued by their treating physician

• Utilizing transferable skills, and

• In their local economy

Consistent with the rehabilitation placement hierarchy, the primary goal of Job Placement Assistance is returning a client to work at the same job, a modified job, or a job utilizing transferable skills. Vocational Consultants’ role is to advocate and advise job seekers during this process.

Throughout the Job Placement Assistance process, we seek out job leads from local employers that meet the qualifications listed above and provide this information to the job seeker. We will meet with the job seeker periodically throughout their services to discuss their job search, address concerns, provide feedback, and assist with application completion. 

Three-Pronged Approach for Success

At Vocational Consultants, our goal is to set up job seekers for short-term and long-term success. Our three-pronged process gives them skills for now and the future:

1. First, We teach individuals how to successfully seek employment within their abilities including understanding the positions they can perform, how to locate positions, and how to advocate for themselves as an employee.  

Next, We start by helping job seekers develop a professional resume that highlights their skills.  We prepare them for the interview process by holding mock interviews where they receive real-time feedback.  We require that job seekers also find job leads and to provide documentation that they are following up with prospective employers. This final step ensures that our job seekers are developing the skills to find employment in the future when they no longer have access to services.

2. Finally, We work directly with prospective employers to advocate for the individual’s hiring including securing reasonable accommodations when necessary. 

Once employment is obtained, we maintain contact with the individual and their employer to ensure that they can safely perform all job duties.

If needed, an ergonomic analysis will be performed.

Vocational Case Management services assist individuals during their participation in a vocational retraining program. 

Many times, individuals authorized for a retraining program have been out of school for an extended period of time, and they may not have had positive educational experiences in the past. Assistance from a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor greatly enhances an individual’s opportunity for success in their retraining program. 

In Vocational Case Management, the Certified Rehabilitation Counselor acts as liaison between the student, instructor, Court, attorneys, and insurance company. 

Vocational Case Management includes:

• Ensuring the individual understands exactly what services they are authorized to use

• Assisting with completion of enrollment paperwork and verifying start dates

• Getting tuition invoices directly to the appropriate party

• Providing comprehensive academic support, which can include:

  • Coordinating with instructors to develop a study plan

  • Ensuring completion of academic remediation and pre-requisite courses, when necessary

  • Developing a 504 accommodation plan

  • Monitoring the individual’s progress and attendance

  • Assisting with resolution of any problems that may arise during retraining

  • Provide monthly reports to the parties documenting progress

Benefit to the Referer:

By walking with the Injured Worker throughout the process, Vocational Case Management makes sure that paperwork, authorization, and other important documentation does not fall through the cracks and cause administrative problems hindering the individuals ability to be successful in their studies. 

Benefit of Vocational Case Management to the Individual:

This service allows injured workers to put all of their focus into school so they can become successfully retrained for a new career. 

Labor Market Surveys identify the types of employment opportunities available to an individual within their local economy, restrictions, and utilizing their current skills. The Survey Report focuses on outlining the occupations, employers, and wages that would be appropriate for the individual to consider.

The Survey Report outlines:

• Contact Summary
  A summary of all contacts, including companies contacted, information obtained during the conversation, and date of contact.

• Position Listing
  We will compile all positions that fall within the individual’s client’s parameters that we found during our survey. Included with each position are:

  • Wages

  • Required qualifications

  • The date of the last hire for the positions surveyed. If a position is currently available, application instructions will be obtained and provided.

  • It will be noted if the positions would be appropriate for the specific individual based on their restrictions, skills, and qualifications.

• Professional Opinion Report

Vocational Consulting will write a professional opinion concerning whether information obtained in the survey is positive or negative for the individual, and if we believe there are sufficient job opportunities that could lead to gainful employment within the individual’s area of residence.

• Recommendations will be made based on the results of the survey outlining services available to assist the individual in returning to employment. Recommendations could include Job Placement Assistance or vocational retraining and would be dependent upon the results of the study.