Rehabilitation Technician

Rehabilitation Technician

The incumbent in this position assists the other members of the provider staff team with the responsibility of administering and providing services to the VA SORCC DRRTP residential rehabilitation treatment programs. The incumbent will be responsible for assisting with specialized treatment services for Veterans with serious mental illnesses, PTSD, substance abuse, dual diagnoses, and other psychological problems. In any area of the program, the incumbent will provide support and rehabilitation services directed towards the goal of returning the veteran to his/her community, without dependence on drugs or alcohol, functioning effectively and compliant with medications and treatment.

Specific duties may include, but are not limited to the following: He/she is responsible for the care and comfort of all Domiciliary Veterans and acts as Domiciliary first-line clinician. Accepts responsibility for a specific group of residents during the work shift, and reports individual progress or problems to the interdisciplinary team. Acts on recommendations by the team and accepts responsibility for working with the individual Veterans to bring about a reconciliation of issues. In conjunction with the treatment team, the incumbent exercises judgment to identify veteran treatment goals, support treatment plan, and obtain other pertinent clinical information. The incumbent directs and supports the veteran in the implementation of treatment goals and provides input into the treatment and discharge plans. Provides consultation to and leadership of the therapeutic community groups and resident committees, where appropriate.

The incumbent facilities daily individual and group sessions, utilizing sophisticated skills to achieve the veterans goals of highest level of function and rehabilitation through personal growth; accepting responsibility for the behavior and recovery; gaining insight into their medical, psychosocial, and mental health problems; and clarifying alternatives for positive independence in the rehabilitation of the Veteran. A variety of techniques will be used including, but not limited to: Utilizing and teaching communication, relapse prevention, and problem solving techniques with individuals and groups; role play and ongoing small group discussion will be utilized to identify common problems in daily living as well as methods of coping. Facilitating ongoing individual group sessions to teach Veterans evidence based interventions aimed at identifying and combating negative cognitions and/or maladaptive coping strategies. Providing counseling follow-up of veteran case load, utilizing accepted standards for individual counseling techniques concerned with psychosocial recovery and rehabilitation.

The incumbent interacts with interdisciplinary treatment teams on treatment plan development, implementation and progress review. He/she provides pertinent information during treatment team planning meetings and assists Veterans in determining the steps he/she needs to take in order to achieve these goals. Maintains ongoing contact with Veterans in the programs, monitoring their progress through all phases of the program with individual contact and through written notes in the resident's medical record (frequency dated in the program's policy and procedures manual). Documents all work in appropriate systems including Computerized Veteran Record System and Decision Support System Event Capture. Carries out administrative and clinical services required by program and accreditation agencies such as safety checks, chart reviews, and other procedures and monitors as identified by supervisor and program managers.