What Do Rehabilitation Specialists Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for rehabilitation specialists?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what rehabilitation specialists do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Rehabilitation Specialists Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about rehabilitation specialists by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Rehabilitation Specialists counsel individuals to maximize the independence and employability of persons coping with personal, social, and vocational difficulties that result from birth defects, illness, disease, accidents, aging, or the stress of daily life. Coordinate activities for residents of care and treatment facilities. Assess client needs and design and implement rehabilitation programs that may include personal and vocational counseling, training, and job placement.
Popular Job Titles For Rehabilitation Specialists
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors
- Rehabilitation Counselors
- Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists
- Vocational Specialists
- Vocational Evaluators
- Case Management Associates
- Employment Specialists
- Habilitation Counselors
- Rehabilitation Specialists
- Vocational Rehabilitation Technicians
- Disability Consultants
- Rehabilitation Coordinators
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for rehabilitation specialists can be found.
Best Industries for Rehabilitation Specialists
Rehabilitation Specialists Jobs By Industry
- Vocational Rehabilitation Services: 34.7%
- State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals: 16.2%
- Individual and Family Services: 12.4%
- Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities: 12.2%
- Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals: 5.9%
- Outpatient Care Centers: 2.9%
- Other: 15.7%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of rehabilitation specialists can be found working in the Vocational Rehabilitation Services sector. In 2023, about 34.7% of all jobs for rehabilitation specialists were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include State Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals (16.2%), Individual and Family Services (12.4%), Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities (12.2%), Local Government, Excluding Education and Hospitals (5.9%) and Outpatient Care Centers (2.9%).
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What Do Rehabilitation Specialists Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what rehabilitation specialists do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work rehabilitation specialists do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that rehabilitation specialists tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for rehabilitation specialists, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Rehabilitation Specialists
Based on 5,644 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Rehabilitation Specialists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation | 3,497 | 62% |
| Vocational Rehabilitation | 2,992 | 53% |
| Psychology | 2,599 | 46% |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling | 2,363 | 42% |
| Rehabilitation Counseling | 2,343 | 42% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Rehabilitation Specialists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2,150 | 38% |
| Management | 1,320 | 23% |
| Coordinating | 1,054 | 19% |
| Writing | 974 | 17% |
| Planning | 828 | 15% |
Based on 5,644 job postings related to rehabilitation specialists, rehabilitation was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 62% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for vocational rehabilitation, psychology, vocational rehabilitation counseling, rehabilitation counseling and social work were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for rehabilitation specialists, followed by management, coordinating, writing, planning and problem solving.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation | 3,497 | 62% |
| Vocational Rehabilitation | 2,992 | 53% |
| Psychology | 2,599 | 46% |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling | 2,363 | 42% |
| Rehabilitation Counseling | 2,343 | 42% |
| Social Work | 2,027 | 36% |
| Disabilities | 1,933 | 34% |
| Case Management | 1,796 | 32% |
| Human Services | 1,554 | 28% |
| Special Education | 1,128 | 20% |
| Data Analysis | 714 | 13% |
| Mental Health | 707 | 13% |
| Sociology | 648 | 11% |
| Visual Impairment Education | 585 | 10% |
| Hearing Disorders | 550 | 10% |
| Treatment Planning | 535 | 9% |
| Purchasing | 532 | 9% |
| Occupational Therapy | 441 | 8% |
| Psychiatry | 439 | 8% |
| Medical Records | 414 | 7% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2,150 | 38% |
| Management | 1,320 | 23% |
| Coordinating | 1,054 | 19% |
| Writing | 974 | 17% |
| Planning | 828 | 15% |
| Problem Solving | 784 | 14% |
| Advocacy | 759 | 13% |
| Customer Service | 688 | 12% |
| Decision Making | 686 | 12% |
| Time Management | 665 | 12% |
| Microsoft Office | 610 | 11% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 604 | 11% |
| Critical Thinking | 601 | 11% |
| Research | 598 | 11% |
| Coaching | 571 | 10% |
| Computer Literacy | 498 | 9% |
| Organizational Skills | 489 | 9% |
| Detail Oriented | 488 | 9% |
| Teaching | 471 | 8% |
| Leadership | 441 | 8% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Rehabilitation Specialists
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors | 3,850 | 38.5% |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | 2,452 | 24.5% |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists | 1,009 | 10.1% |
| Vocational Specialists | 404 | 4% |
| Vocational Evaluators | 357 | 3.6% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was vocational rehabilitation counselors, with 1,292 unique job postings. Rehabilitation counselors were second, with 353 postings, followed by vocational rehabilitation specialists, vocational specialists and vocational evaluators.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to rehabilitation specialists.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors | 3,850 | 38.5% |
| Rehabilitation Counselors | 2,452 | 24.5% |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Specialists | 1,009 | 10.1% |
| Vocational Specialists | 404 | 4% |
| Vocational Evaluators | 357 | 3.6% |
| Case Management Associates | 116 | 1.2% |
| Employment Specialists | 177 | 1.8% |
| Habilitation Counselors | 277 | 2.8% |
| Rehabilitation Specialists | 338 | 3.4% |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Technicians | 203 | 2% |
| Disability Consultants | 84 | 0.8% |
| Rehabilitation Coordinators | 117 | 1.2% |
| Financial Services Consultants | 61 | 0.6% |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Consultants | 109 | 1.1% |
| Psychiatric Rehabilitation Counselors | 93 | 0.9% |
| Vocational Coordinators | 73 | 0.7% |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisors | 85 | 0.9% |
| Vocational Case Managers | 68 | 0.7% |
| Transition Counselors | 52 | 0.5% |
| Counselors | 73 | 0.7% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for rehabilitation specialists? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for rehabilitation specialists.
How much do rehabilitation specialists make?
Rehabilitation Specialists: How do you become one?
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