What Do Vocational Case Managers Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for vocational case managers?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what vocational case managers 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.
Vocational Case Managers Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about vocational case managers by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Vocational Case Managers 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 Vocational Case Managers
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 vocational case managers can be found.
Best Industries for Vocational Case Managers
Vocational Case Managers 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 vocational case managers can be found working in the Vocational Rehabilitation Services sector. In 2023, about 34.7% of all jobs for vocational case managers 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 Vocational Case Managers Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what vocational case managers 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 vocational case managers 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 vocational case managers tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for vocational case managers, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Vocational Case Managers
Based on 5,644 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Vocational Case Managers
| 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 Vocational Case Managers
| 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 vocational case managers, 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 vocational case managers, 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 Vocational Case Managers
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 vocational case managers.
| 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 vocational case managers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for vocational case managers.
How much do vocational case managers make?
Vocational Case Managers: How do you become one?
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