Rule 41: Vocational Rehabilitation — Certification of Job Placement Specialists

A. The job placement specialist certification process is designed to ensure individuals working in this specialized area of rehabilitation have attained an acceptable level of education and experience necessary to provide all relevant services to the employee, and are otherwise capable of rendering competent job placement services to the employee.

B. The job placement specialist, under the supervision of the vocational rehabilitation counselor, shall be responsible for assisting the employee in returning to gainful employment within the individual’s capabilities. In conjunction with the vocational rehabilitation counselor, the job placement specialist shall confirm the employee’s job readiness and overall preparation to seek employment.

C. The job placement specialist shall work closely with the employee to identify appropriate potential positions and/or vacancies for which the individual should apply. These positions shall be consistent with the employee’s skills, interests, aptitudes, physical limitations and restrictions, and the specific vocational goal(s) listed on the approved vocational rehabilitation plan written by a vocational rehabilitation counselor.

D. A vocational rehabilitation counselor or job placement specialist employed by a state agency providing vocational rehabilitation services and not working as a private vocational rehabilitation service provider shall be exempt from meeting job placement specialist certification or renewal of certification requirements for so long as he or she remains employed by such agency and shall be considered qualified and certified to provide job placement services.

E. To be eligible for job placement specialist certification, the applicant shall meet the required education and/or experience. All education and/or experience claimed and used as a basis for certification shall have been attained at the time of application. Acceptable experience shall be:

1. Paid employment performing all of the following duties:

a. Job development;

b. Resume writing;

c. Interview assistance;

d. Job lead identification;

e. On-the-job-training development;

f. Employee and employer follow up.

2. Professionally supervised internships, preceptorships, or practica performing all of the duties listed in Rule 41,E,1, whether paid or unpaid.

F. Certification shall be for a period of two years. To be eligible for certification, the applicant shall present documentary evidence that he/she has attained:

1. A master’s degree or higher in a counseling discipline from an accredited college or university, or;

2. Designation of Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) from the Certification of Rehabilitation Counselor Commission, or; Rehabilitation Counselor Commission (CRCC), or;

3. Certification as a Fellow or Diplomate by the American Board of Vocational Experts (ABVE), or;

4. Designation of Certified Vocational Evaluator (CVE) from the Commission on the Certification of Work Adjustment and Vocational Evaluation Specialists (CCWAVES), and 2,000 hours acceptable experience or;

5. A bachelor’s degree in a human services field from an accredited postsecondary institution and 1,000 hours acceptable experience, or;

6. An associate degree or higher from an accredited postsecondary institution, and 2,000 hours acceptable experience, or;

7. A minimum of 6,000 hours acceptable experience.

G. An individual desiring certification as a job placement specialist shall submit to the court:

1. A completed application for certification. A form developed by the court shall be used for this purpose.

2. An official transcript from the postsecondary institution or, if applicable, proof of national certification.

3. A detailed employment history including at a minimum: names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the applicant’s employers and immediate supervisors; inclusive dates of employment; and copies of official job descriptions or detailed summaries of job responsibilities for positions intended to meet the required employment experience.

4. Any other information, including supporting documentation, as requested by the court.

H. Individuals shall apply for renewal of certification within 60 days prior to the expiration date of their current certification period. Upon written request the court, at its discretion, may grant the job placement specialist additional time to apply for renewal. If certification is not renewed, either at the normal expiration date or within the time prescribed by the court, the individual will be notified that his or her certification has not been renewed. The individual’s name shall be removed from the directory of certified job placement specialists maintained by the court, and the job placement specialist shall provide no further services in cases subject to the Nebraska Workers’ Compensation Act. The job placement specialist shall notify the court of all employees for whom services are currently being provided.

I. An individual desiring renewal of certification as a job placement specialist shall submit to the court:

1. A completed application for certification. A form developed by the court shall be used for this purpose.

2. Documentary evidence that he or she has completed at least 24 contact hours of continuing education. A minimum of two hours shall be in ethics. Continuing education contact hours shall be approved by CCMC/ CDMSC/ CRCC/ CCWAVES/ IARPS/ NBCC/ ABVE or the court’s vocational rehabilitation section. Hours not approved by one of the certifying boards listed shall be in the areas identified in Rule 41,E,1. The dates of completion of continuing education hours must fall within the current certification period.

3. Any other information, including supporting documentation, as requested by the court.

J. A job placement specialist whose certification has not been renewed shall reapply for certification in order to provide services under the Act. In order to be eligible for certification after nonrenewal the applicant shall submit to the court:

1. A completed application for certification. A form developed by the court shall be used for this purpose.

2. Documentary evidence that he or she has completed at least 24 contact hours of continuing education. A minimum of two hours shall be in ethics. Continuing education contact hours shall be approved by CCMC/ CDMSC/ CRCC/ CCWAVES/ IARPS/ NBCC/ ABVE or the court’s vocational rehabilitation section. Hours not approved by one of the certifying boards listed shall be in the areas identified in Rule 41,E,1. The dates of completion of continuing education hours must fall within the 24 months immediately preceding the application for certification.

3. Any other information, including supporting documentation, as requested by the court.

K. Failure to provide sufficient supporting documentation or deliberately presenting false or misleading information or omitting relevant facts in the application may cause certification to be denied, revoked, or placed in probationary status.