CERTIFICATION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELORS Certification of Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors to Provide Direct Services to OWCP Injured Workers The U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP), Branch of Medical Standards and Rehabilitation (BMSR), is soliciting vocational rehabilitation counselors (VRCs) who live in the following zip code areas of New York State: 144-146, Rochester; 130-132, Syracuse; 137-139, Binghampton; 133-136, Utica/Watertown; 129, Plattsburg; 124-127, Poughkeepsie; 100-102, Manhattan; 103, Staten Island; 006-009, Puerto Rico; and the Virgin Islands (all Zip areas). OWCP intends to certify and contract with VRCs in these areas to provide direct vocational rehabilitation services for injured workers covered by the Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act and The Federal Employees' Compensation Act. OWCP certification involves 1) minimum qualification criteria, 2) rating of educational and experience factors, 3) selection of those counselors with the highest ratings, 4) attendance at aworkshop, and 5) a contractual agreement to follow OWCP standards. The minimum qualifications for consideration are: 1) a bachelor degree from an accredited four year college or university and 2) two years' workers' compensation vocational rehabilitation counseling experience. The procedures require VRCs to submit to OWCP's National Office an application package, original and duplicate, consisting of the following: (1) a narrative summary which provides a complete and detailed description of their work experience and educational background; (2) transcripts supporting the college/university degrees obtained and references from employers or contractors to verify experience and rehabilitation counselor employment; (3) copies of current professional certifications with a brief description of the requiremnents (i.e. C.E.U.s, testing, etc.); and (4) a signed cover letter or statement indicating that the application package demonstrates the intent to be available to provide direct services to injured workers covered under OWCP, and including the following statement: "I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief, all information, statements, and documents herein presented are true, correct, complete and made in good faith, under penalty of disqualification and prosecution under the law". The training workshops are planned through August 28, 1998, to be offered in the Regional Office and selected sites. OWCP will provide a memorandum of attendance which VRCs may use to apply for continuing education units. Certification extends for a basic one year period followed by at least two, one year options. Evaluation of counselor's performance will determine whether options are renewed. The performance of VRCs selected will be evaluated on: timeliness of service, the quality of rehabilitation services, adherence to OWCP procedures and following instructions from OWCP staff. VRCs residing in the areas identified above are hereby asked to forward the above information to Virginia Miller, M.D., Chief, Branch of Medical Standards and Rehabilitation, U.S. Dept. of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, 200 Constitution Ave., NW., Room S-3522, Washington, DC 20210 The deadline for submitting application packages,,original and duplicate, to BMSR is June 20, 1998.

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