Vocational Assessment, Term Paper Example

John Doe is a war veteran who has severe pain from a back injury that he received while serving in Iraqi Freedom in 2007. Before joining the Military, he received an Associate’s degree from a community college in the state he lives in. His degree is computer information systems. He is married and has three children. Currently, his wife is the only person in their house hold who works. John does not want to be declared legally disabled because he feels that there are other people who need these benefits more than he does. He is 33 years old and African American. John is very pleasant in demeanor and willing to help others any time. During the assessment, John was asked to carry boxes and walk for several minutes; after which, he was exhausted and needed to sit for an extended period of time. John prefers working with his hands and doing jobs that require manual labor. He does not like sitting behind a desk or answering a phone. This fact is supportive of Super’s Theory because John once liked setting using the computer because that is what he chooses to get a degree in. Now that he is disabled, he does not want a job like that because he fears people will view him as disabled.

Career Strategies

Career coaching would be a great strategy to use with John because it would be difficult for him to view any jobs that required one to sit as a job for the handicapped. John needs to see other people who have physical disabilities working jobs that are best suited for their short comings. John will also need some brief therapy to help him accept his physical condition. This will help him to stop focusing on what he can no longer do and focus more on what he is capable of doing. He needs to focus more on the positive and less on the negative. John has an educational background that would be beneficial to anyone who has a physical disability. Most disabled people do not have adequate education as a plan B.

Barriers/Accommodations

If John decides to take a job that requires manual labor he will be met with many barriers. John suffers from mobility impairment because of his back injury. Mobility issues may require a person to use a cane, walker, or even a wheelchair which can result in limited or no use of his hands to complete job tasks. This can be a great obstacle for John because he wants to work a job that requires use of extremities. John may have difficult carrying things or opening doors. All jobs are not handicapped assessable, so he may be limited as to where he can work on any given job. Most jobs only allow an hour for lunch break. John will need to be able to sit and rest his back every so often. This will be extremely difficult for him to do on an hourly pay rate job. Employers who run factories and other manual labor jobs are looking for healthy, strong, and mobile workers who can work for 8-12 hours a day with only an hour break. As a result, many employers will be reluctant to hire him due to his barriers. However, some employers may be willing to make accommodations for John.  Areas should remain clutter free because this could cause a slip or fall, which would only make John’s condition worse. John could be allowed to sit periodically to rest his back or be given a motorized scooter to carry out tasks. The job work area will need to be made handicapped friendly so that John will be able to access all areas of the facility.

Job Analysis

It was concluded that John is able to complete many jobs, but not recommended that he work in manual labor due to his chronic back pain. It is not recommended that John work with machinery because he takes pain medication daily to control his chronic back pain. Going to work when one is in constant pain can be very difficult, and in John’s case I believe it will be impossible. People who suffer from chronic pain, like John, should try to find an occupation that is not too physically demanding. He does not have to choose a job that confines him to a seat all day, but a job that allows him to seat as needed to ease his chronic pain. Self-employment would be a good option for John because he could work on the days he had less pain and choose not to work on days when the pain is most excruciating. Also, because John is still young, going back to college to obtain another degree may be an option. Although, the best option for John would probably be to take a job in the area of his degree. This would best benefit his family now as his wife is the only person working and providing for herself and four other people.

Job Development

There are very few jobs that cater to people in John’s situation. John is disabled, but not completely. There are very few jobs that reach out to that in between margin. Programs and services for people with disabilities usually focus on job readiness instead of matching the person with the disability with the job he/she is best suited for. For people who have disabilities, job development should focus on what that person enjoys doing, rather than what he/she is unable to do.

Search Assistance    

Persons with disabilities often have a difficult time locating jobs that match their disabilities. Sadly, many people with disabilities are discriminated against because of their disability. Consequently, there are many programs that partner with employers to help assist person with disabilities in finding adequate and rewarding jobs. For John, he needs to see other disabled workers who are able to do a great job. Because of his disability, John is feeling like he is useless because he cannot perform the jobs he used to. Although he has a degree, he does not want to use it because he feels people will look down on him. John needs to be given the opportunity to work several jobs and see which will be most beneficial to him and his family. Hopefully, after doing so John will realize that it does not matter the type of job a man works, just that he is able to provide for his family.

Employer Incentives

Employers often use a reward system to help boost employee morale and productivity. There are endless things that employers can use as incentives for employees. Some employers give vacation time or financial bonuses. For John, I believe he would enjoy incentives that accommodated his physical impairments. For example, John could be allowed to sit frequently to rest his back. John may be given the privilege of working fewer hours per day to accommodate his chronic back pain.

Post Employment Services

John will be called and checked in with frequently. He needs to know that he can still receive the services if needed. He will be welcomed to participate in any educational or job trainings that are offered. Communication lines will remain open with his employer as well. The employers will be assisted with helping to make accommodations and determining incentives.

It is obvious that John is in the Establishment stage of Super’s Theory. He feels that he should be established and able to provide for his family. His disability has caused him to be unable to perform jobs that he loves.  Yet, he also shows signs of trial and stabilization because he does not want to take a job that he may be unsatisfied with because of his disability. This is a bit selfish considering that he is the father of three and has a wife to provide for. John will be provided with a wide variety of career ranges. Hopefully, this will help him to consider making lifestyle implication to meet his needs.