How To Become a Rehabilitation Specialist

Rehabilitation specialists play a crucial role in helping those with mental and physical disabilities integrate into society. You will need to earn a bachelor's degree, become certified, and consider earning an advanced degree.

Interested in a career that involves helping people? Want to address both mental health and physical challenges to help those with various disabilities live more normal lives? Becoming a rehabilitation specialist may be the career path for you.

Rehabilitation specialists are human services professionals who provide assessment, therapy, and advocacy for those suffering from mental and physical challenges. They help these individuals find jobs and live independently.

Steps for Becoming a Rehabilitation Specialist

Becoming a rehabilitation specialist typically takes several years of experience and education. Let's take a look at the steps you can complete to follow this career path.

1. Find Out Which Major Is Best for You

After obtaining a high school diploma or GED, you'll need to pursue a bachelor's degree. A degree in one of the social sciences or a related field is ideal. There are various majors you can choose from as an aspiring rehabilitation specialist. Some good undergraduate majors you could choose include:

2. Find the Right School for Your Major

After deciding on the major you want to pursue, it's time to pick a school that offers your chosen degree program. Social work, human services, and psychology are all popular majors offered at many public and private schools throughout the country. Some good schools to consider include:

3. Obtain a Bachelor's Degree

After enrolling in your chosen school, it's time to begin taking the necessary courses to graduate with your bachelor's degree.

Most bachelor's degree programs consist of at least 120 credits and are a mix of general education, core courses, and electives. Depending on your program, they may also provide internships and clinical experiences to help you gain practical experience in rehabilitation counseling.

If you study full-time, you can usually graduate in about four years. Part-time students may need at least five to six years to obtain all the required credits. Regardless of the time it takes, once you have completed all requirements, you will be granted your degree.

4. Earn a Rehabilitation Specialist Certification

There is no specific required credential to become a rehabilitation specialist; however, pursuing optional certifications can make you a more desirable job candidate.

Some certifications to pursue include:

Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner
Certified Rehabilitation Counselor
Certified Medical Assistant

5. Consider an Advanced Degree

After working for a few years, you may decide you want to pursue advanced positions or higher pay. The best way to do this is by pursuing a higher level of education.

What's more, some rehabilitation specialist jobs may require this advanced degree. In fact, about one-third of all rehabilitation specialists in the U.S. hold a master's degree. Good master's degree programs to choose from include:

What Is a Rehabilitation Specialist?

Rehabilitation specialists are similar to social workers in that they provide advocacy and social services for disadvantaged individuals with mental, physical, social, vocational, or related challenges.

Responsibilities of a Rehabilitation Specialist

Rehabilitation specialists perform a variety of job duties and have various responsibilities. No two days look exactly alike for these professionals. They perform a variety of rehabilitation services including:

conducting evaluations and assessments
preparing individualized treatment plans
encouraging vocational rehabilitation by helping clients with professional development and job placement
addressing various client needs to improve their quality of life
negotiating contracts

Skills Required of a Rehabilitation Specialist

Rehabilitation specialists need to have a variety of specialized and interpersonal skills to succeed in the job. Many of these skills are gained through education and work experience, but some are inherent.

Above all, rehabilitation specialists must be empathetic, with a desire to help disadvantaged individuals and improve their wellbeing.

Some other top skills for aspiring rehabilitation specialists to focus on include:

communication skills
case management skills
problem-solving skills
management skills
coordination skills
understanding of rehabilitation techniques and resources

Benefits of Being a Rehabilitation Specialist

Becoming a rehabilitation specialist can provide many benefits for the right individuals. There is a great amount of job satisfaction in promoting mental and physical wellness in those who need extra support.

What's more, the role of rehabilitation specialist is a growing profession. It is expected to continue growing, with an increase of up to 11%; this is much faster than the national average for all professions.

Finally, there are many options for those who want to grow into other positions as a rehabilitation specialist. You could pursue leadership positions, move into other careers in healthcare or social science, and pursue a wide variety of job opportunities in the field.

Rehabilitation Specialist Jobs

Rehabilitation specialists can work in many different settings and pursue different job titles. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, some of the most common industries for rehabilitation specialists include:

vocational rehabilitation services
individual and family services
state and local government departments (excluding schools and hospitals)
residential care facilities
community food, housing, and emergency relief services

FAQs About Rehabilitation Specialists

Still have questions about what it takes to become a rehabilitation specialist or what the job entails? Keep reading as we provide answers to some frequently asked questions you may be wondering about.

Is a Rehabilitation Specialist the Same as a Rehabilitation Counselor?

Rehabilitation specialists and rehabilitation counselors have similar jobs, and their job titles may be considered interchangeable in some regions. However, there are slight differences between the two. Whereas rehabilitation specialists provide services and resources for those with mental and physical disabilities, rehabilitation counselors provide counseling to help these same individuals develop coping strategies to deal with their specific illness or handicap.

What Are the Cons of Being a Rehabilitation Specialist?

Though there are many benefits to being a rehabilitation specialist, every job has disadvantages as well. The cons of being a rehabilitation specialist include high levels of stress and emotional challenges, risk of burnout, and lower-than-average salary expectations.

What Specializations Are Available for Rehabilitation Specialists?

Rehabilitation specialists may be able to pursue specialized positions within their organization. These positions will typically be denoted by a specialized job title. Common specializations include career navigation, direct care, and training. Respective job titles for each of these specializations include career navigator, direct care specialist, and client trainer.