CERTIFICATION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION COUNSELORS OFFADD:U.S. Dept. of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Room S-3522, Washington, DC 20210 POC: Omar Canty (202) 693-0833 This announcement supercedes notices of May 28 and June 25, 1999, when workshops were cancelled. The United States Department of Labor, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP), Branch of Medical Services and Rehabilitation (BMSR), is soliciting vocational rehabilitation counselors (VCRs) who live in Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. OWCP intends to certify and contract with VRCs in those areas to provide direct vocational 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 a workshop, and 5) a contractual agreement to follow OWCP standards. The minimumqualifications for consideration are 1) a bachelor degree from an accredited 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, 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 the experience and rehabilitation counselor employment; (3) copies of current professional certifications with a brief description of the requirements (i.e. CEUs, 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 for the week of September 13, 1999 to be held in Puerto Rico. 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 no more than four one year options. Evaluation of Counselors' performance will determine whether options are renewed. The performance of VRCs selected will be evaluated on timeliness of service, the quality of vocational rehabilitation services, adherence to OWCP procedures and following instructions from OWCP staff. VRCs residing in the above identified areas 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 Avenue, NW, Room S-3522, Washington, DC 20210. The deadline for submitting application packages requires postmark date no later than July 23, 1999. This notice supercedes OWCP notices of May 28, and June 25, 1998. WEB: NA, NA. E-MAIL: NA, NA. Posted 06/21/99 (W-SN345311).

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