What is a Vocational Evaluation
A Vocational Evaluation is a process to assist individuals with disabilities, injured or displaced workers identify and explore their career interests, aptitudes, and skills and formulate immediate and long-term work/career goals. In students, it will help them to identify and explore their career interests, aptitudes, and skills and formulate immediate and long-term career goals.
There are different types of Vocational Evaluations. Your Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC) will decide which evaluation will benefit you more. Once we receive the referral from your counselor, we will reach out to you to make an appointment for testing. Testing could last from 2 to 5 hours. Some evaluations may be done in one day, others in two days. Worksite assessments allow us the opportunity to explore your abilities more in depth and to also determine what your limitations may be. We will go to different businesses that may be a good place for you to work and where you can put into practice your abilities and strengths. Sometimes we may only observe what the employees do in that particular setting and not even perform any work functions. We will also have a chance to talk to the employees and managers to ask questions about the different types of jobs they do there at that location.
When the evaluation is complete, a report will be sent to your VRC with the results of the tests performed. It will also have a description of the jobs/careers that match your abilities and strengths and that you may perform even with your limitations. Information about the current labor market will also be provided. Accommodations will be listed as well as any, if needed, and recommendations to assist in your job success. This report will serve as a guide for your counselor to place you in the correct job.
Types of Vocational Evaluations
Comprehensive Vocational Evaluation
Typically Takes One Day
A Comprehensive Vocational Evaluation is a one-day evaluation where we will assess an individual through a series of achievement, aptitude, tolerance, dexterity, and interests tests. The vocational meeting Evaluation will include a background interview, interest inventory, academic test, aptitude test, brief IQ test, and transferable skills assessment. Depending on the client’s diagnosis and limitations, other tests may be administered. Every client is different and unique. If needed, we can meet once or twice to complete all testing and the evaluations. Some assessments will be done with pencil and paper, others using a computer or tablet. Your evaluator will provide those to you.
Community Based Evaluation*
Typically Takes Two Days
A Community Based Evaluation includes one day of testing, like is done in the Comprehensive Vocational Evaluation, and an additional day out in the field. The evaluator and the client will visit 2 to 3 businesses for client to explore the job settings. The businesses that we visit will match the client’s job interests identified in their assessments from the previous day of testing. The client and evaluator will observe workers who are currently performing a job in that the career that you, the client, are interested in. The client will have the opportunity to have a one-to-one conversation with the employee(s) about the job duties, schedule, what they enjoyed most about the job, and what they do not like about the job. The client and evaluator will also be able to talk to the managers of the business to give the client the an opportunity to ask more questions. The Vocational Evaluator will guide the client. A report is written and sent to the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC).
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*Only the written part of this testing is offered virtually.
Work Site Assessment*
Typically Takes One to Two Days
A Work Site Assessments evaluations is a combination of a Comprehensive and a Community Based Evaluation. The difference is the client will perform several duties of the job to determine what his/her abilities and limitations are in this work setting. The process takes place within a two-day period, but this may vary depending on each client’s individual needs. The evaluator will assess client’s work behaviors, physical tolerance, social skills, ability to follow direction, ability to remain on task, limitations, and others workplace skills. Information is also gathered through personal reports, work history, and observational data. A report is written with the results of the written assessments, observations made while on in the field with client, and recommendations. It will be sent to the Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC).
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*Only the written part of this testing is offered virtually.
Virtual Vocational Evaluation
Typically Takes Several Hours over One or Two Days
Are you a person that does not feel comfortable doing a face-to-face evaluation? A Virtual Vocational Evaluation may be preferred for individuals who have mental health conditions such as anxiety, or because you have a medical condition that makes it difficult for you to meet face to face. Perhaps you have transportation difficulties, or concerns over exposure to disease. Vocational Abilities cares about your health and well-being, and because of this we provide Virtual Vocational Evaluations to all our clients. As we do with our in-person evaluations, the vocational meeting will include a background interview, interest inventory, academic test, aptitude test, brief IQ test, and transferable skills assessment. All of this is done via the internet and a virtual meeting appweb. All testing instruments are normed for a remote testing environment. The evaluator and client will see and interact with each other via teleconference. If you are interested in receiving virtual services, let your VR counselor and Vocational Evaluator know.
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For the virtual evaluation, clients will need:​
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Reliable Internet Connection
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Laptop or Desktop Computer - A SmartPhone Will NOT Work
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Microphone and Computer Camera
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Basic Computer and Typing Skills