Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Career Dynamics Network specializes in providing vocational services that promote the employment, career progression and job retention of persons with disabilities and those returning to work following an injury and/or illness.

We provide a wide range of comprehensive and client focused Vocational Rehabilitation Services that offer individuals the best opportunity to achieve their goal of gainful employment.

Services Provided:

Job Search Training Program (JSTP):
The JSTP is an individualized program to help clients learn effective and lasting techniques for job searching. Clients are instructed on how to use employment resources in their own community. This hands-on approach ensures that each participant develops the skills necessary to conduct an independent job search.

Job Placement:
Job placement services through Career Dynamics Network provide a dedicated job search for each client. A vocational specialist will conduct employer outreach on behalf of the client with the goal of locating and securing appropriate employment.

Vocational Life Skills:
Individualized training program to help clients prepare for competitive employment. The focus of the program is on developing the soft skills necessary to succeed in the workplace. Topics covered may include: workplace communication, teamwork, personal appearance, assertiveness, conflict resolution, stress/anger management, organization and time management. The program is customized to individual needs. A soft skills guide is developed and provided to the client at the end of the training.

Job Coaching:
Job coaching is provided to clients who require on site assistance during the initial training period of employment. A job coach will accompany the client to the place of employment to help them improve work skills and attain productivity that matches other workers. An appropriate service plan and schedule will be developed depending on the individualized needs of the client.

Job Monitoring:
In order to help ensure a successful outcome, job monitoring is offered for paid and unpaid placements for clients. A vocational specialist will set up a plan in order to monitor the client's return to work process.

Transferable Skills Analysis:
Transferable skills analysis helps clients identify alternative vocational options when seeking a career change. A list of transferable work skills is developed based on the client's work history, education, skills and current functioning level. Occupational options are then explored based on the client's profile.

Labour Market survey:
The labour market survey provides information about specific jobs. The information gathered includes an accurate description of job duties, job availability, wages, qualification requirements and working conditions. Information is gathered through direct employer contacts and other sources specific to the client's vocational goal. At the end of the survey, a report is generated summarizing findings for each type of job with recommendations on suitable employment options.

Vocational Assessment:
The vocational assessment determines the suitability of specific types of jobs. Clients are assessed based on their interests, aptitudes, academic achievement levels and work history. The report provides recommendations on vocational options that are available to the client based on the outcome of the testing.

Psychovocational Assessment:
This assessment uses the same tools as the vocational assessment, as well as testing to see if there are any psychological issues that may present barriers to employment. The assessment determines learning ability, psychological functioning and retraining potential. The report provides recommendations on readiness for specific jobs through direct placement and/or skills upgrading.

Neuropsychovocational Assessment:
In addition to a psychovocational assessment, this assessment also identifies cognitive functioning (i.e., memory, attention, learning speed) and provides a diagnosis of learning disability, ADHD, traumatic brain injury and other neurocognitive deficits. The report provides recommendations on employment re-entry and vocational options through direct placement and/or skills upgrading.

Workplace/Ergonomic Assessment: The workplace assessment provides a job demands analysis of the work site, including an ergonomic workstation evaluation in order to determine environmental or design issues posing a risk of injury, aggravating a condition or preventing an individual from performing work tasks safely, efficiently and productively. Recommendations are provided on ergonomic equipment, assistive devices, safety techniques to prevent injury, workplace modifications and workstation redesign.

Ergonomic Set Up: Once a workplace assessment is completed, consulting services are available to provide implementation of the recommendations made in the assessment. Ergonomic set up services include: ordering equipment and devices after purchase costs are authorized, ensuring proper installation and placement of equipment and devices, providing education to client in how to properly use equipment and devices and guiding the client and employer in adjusting/modifying work tasks.

Functional Abilities Evaluation (FAE): The Functional Abilities Evaluation (FAE) determines the individual’s physical capacities in relation to work requirements. The FAE measures abilities and tolerances in areas of work functioning such as lifting, standing, walking, carrying, climbing, reaching, industrial pushing and pulling, finger and hand dexterity, motor coordination and manual material handling, and determines current level of physical functioning, capabilities and limitations for each type of work demand. This assessment can detail whether the client can meet the physical demands of a specific job.

For further information please contact us.