Vocational Services

Returning to work is an important step in the rehabilitation process. After an extended illness or catastrophic accident encouragement and guidance can help one return to the work world with more confidence. Our vocational services programs assist persons with limiting conditions seek and maintain employment. These services include:

• Comprehensive Vocational Evaluations to identify appropriate and feasible work goals.
• Situational Assessments to assess work behaviors, physical/emotional strengths, endurance, and interests in order to recommend feasible work goals
• Brain Injury Vocational services that begin working with a survivor of a brain injury while still in medical outpatient rehabilitation to determine resources needed to assist with the return to work plan
• Employment Services to assist brain injury survivors to seek, obtain, and maintain employment. A job coach or employment specialist may help with learning new job tasks or educating employers and co-workers is available.
• The Work Place: A Vocational Center for Individuals with Traumatic Injury is an 8-week program, offered occasionally, to assist people in identifying options for returning to work/volunteer/leisure activities following a traumatic event.

Who is eligible?

People, 18 and older, who have limiting conditions, which may hinder their return to work.

How do I access services?

The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation as well as Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Program refer their clients to Vocational Services at Winter Haven Hospital Outpatient. Private pay or self pay is also accepted.

Who would work with me?

The vocational services staff includes a Certified Vocational Evaluator/Certified Case Manager and two Life Skills trainers who work closely with each client. In addition, the vocational services staff has the enviable position of having direct access to therapists, psychologists, a social worker and a registered nurse for consultation as needed with individual cases.

Is your clinic accessible?

Vocational services are a part of an easily accessible outpatient clinic. Public bus transportation stops at our front door. The parking lot is convenient to the clinic and has plenty of parking spaces.

The clinic is open from 8:00 to 4:30 every weekday.