The Conceptualization and Assessment of Professional Dispositions in Rehabilitation Counselor Education

One the development of a professional mandate by social workers in medical rehabilitation- key results from the SWIMMER Project

Social work in the German rehabilitation sector is practiced with great variation and its interventions lack research evidence. The SWIMMER project aims to develop a program theory of social work in rehabilitation to explain this variation and to discuss possible conditions. The dealing with ethical dilemmas by social workers is one possible influence and the focus of this paper. The social workers' practice was analyzed using the triple mandate, a German-Swiss concept that describes three possible, sometimes simultaneous directives without a concrete call to action from society, the client or the profession. This qualitative, case-comparative research project collected data from interviews with social workers and managers, participant observation and counseling sessions in ten German rehabilitation facilities. Social workers were confronted with all three mandates. They prioritized either the societal mandate or the client mandate. A consequence for social work practice was the limitation of options under social law (mandate by society). Social workers relied on their professional experience to reflect on the mandates. They used a variety of strategies when faced with conflicting mandates. The research project has succeeded in systematizing the orientations of social workers in goal conflicts. Further investigation on this topic on a broader basis would be beneficial.

The Impact of Organizational Factors and Professional Identity on Turn Over Intent in State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies

Turnover of staff is an ongoing concern in the state-federal vocational rehabilitation (VR) system. To better understand employee turnover intent, a multiple regression analysis was conducted using professional identity and organizational factors (e.g., pay, work tenure) as predictor variables. An internet-based survey solicited counselor perceptions regarding professional identity, turnover intent, and job satisfaction. Respondents ( n = 351) described their level of satisfaction relevant to several workplace conditions (co-workers, job in general, work assignments, pay, promotion, and supervision), and their current level of professional identity. The outcome variable representing current or future turnover intent was whether participants were actively looking for a new position or planning to look for a new position in the next 5 years. Results indicated that a little over one third of current counselors would look for a new position in the coming year, with half of current counselors seeking a new position within 5 years. Findings suggest that turnover in state-federal VR settings exceeds the national average of 19%. Purposeful pre-hire considerations, goodness of fit, motivation factors (i.e., opportunities for promotion), and hygiene factors (i.e., caseload size, supervision, and pay) identified in this study should be elements of a state-federal VR agency’s plan to mitigate turnover intent.

Supervision and Ethics: Updates to the CRCC Code of Professional Ethics

Supervision is a key element to the development of ethical skills and awareness in rehabilitation counselors. Ethical standards specific to rehabilitation counselor educators and supervisors were first introduced in 2002 and updated in 2010 and 2017. This article discusses supervision and professional dispositions as constructs that were used to help frame the revision process and outlines some of the key change to Section I. (Supervision, Teaching, and Training) of the Code of Professional Ethics for certified rehabilitation counselors. In conjunction with the revision process, special considerations for multicultural competencies have been strengthened throughout Section I, as well as specific requirements for the measurement and assessment of professional dispositions in educational settings. The article helps to inform and guide supervisors, trainers, and educators as they review Section I and consider their role in the development of ethical skills in those they supervise and their own respective practice.

Rehabilitation Counselor Supervisors’ Perceptions of Counselor Professional Dispositions for Rural Service Delivery

Professional dispositions are recognized as a fundamental to counselor professional practice, but this construct remains largely undefined. This qualitative study explored the professional dispositions that rehabilitation counselors should demonstrate for effective service delivery, particularly within rural areas. The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews to gather perspectives on the conceptualization and identification of professional dispositions in the field. Participants for this study were practicing rehabilitation counseling supervisors ( n = 14) from five states and largely represented state/federal vocational rehabilitation agencies ( n= 12). A preliminary, field-driven definition of the term professional disposition is presented, and primary dispositional categories are identified. Findings indicated three major dispositional themes that are necessary and generalizable to rehabilitation service delivery: traditional rehabilitation counseling values, professional attitude and conduct, and ethically principled behavior. A theme discrete to rural rehabilitation is also identified, community oriented. These domains reflect a focus on the client, the agency, and the community. The concept of ethically principled practice was a bridging theme that connects and is interwoven across the three main themes. Implications for practice and future research suggestions are also discussed.