Vocational rehabilitation (VR) is a process that helps people with disabilities return to work after injury or illness.
No matter how you were injured, you may need help from a vocational rehabilitation (VR) counselor with deciding what job would be a good match for you and with getting a job. This may be especially helpful if you can’t go back to your previous job, either because it is no longer available or you cannot perform the job. Your burn center may be able to refer you to a vocational rehabilitation counselor or provide a list of local VR offices.
How to find a vocational rehabilitation counselor
A vocational rehabilitation counselor can:
- Provide counseling and guidance about returning to, maintaining or finding a job.
- Help you assess your educational background, work history, career interests, personality style and health situation.
- Help you put together a step-by-step plan to get to work.
- Help you set up a chance to try out different jobs or a trial work period to see if a job is a good fit for you and what kinds of supports or accommodations you need.
- Evaluate the physical and mental demands of specific jobs.
- Help you get re-training or more education if necessary.
- Keep in touch with you after you start working to make sure things are going well and help with any problems that come up.
Remember:
- VR usually starts during your acute rehabilitation hospital stay and continues until after discharge.
- VR can take place at any time you need help finding or keeping employment.
- VR is available through the workers’ compensation system for people injured on the job.
