Career Assessment and Vocational Evaluation
Based on the needs and staff structure of each team, the manner in which Career Assessment and Vocational Evaluation services are provided may differ. However, all services will follow one of the two tracks outlined below. Tracks are determined by whether a referral to another team member is needed.

Consultation:
Each team should consult with their Office Director to determine the preferred approach for implementing Career Assessment and Vocational Evaluation services within their local office.

Track 1: Career Assessment by VR Specialist

• The VR Specialist completes Career Assessment activities as part of the Career Planning Process.
• These activities are integrated into ongoing counseling and guidance to support the development of the Individualized Plan for Employment (IPE).

Track 2: Referral to Vocational Evaluator

• The VR Specialist refers the client to the Vocational Evaluator (either on their own team or a collaborating team).
• The Vocational Evaluator conducts additional evaluation and assessment activities to gather more comprehensive information regarding the individual’s strengths, abilities, interests, and support needs.

Step 1: Initiate and Document Rationale

• Document the Team Service: Vocational Evaluation in QE2
• Record a Documented Team Service of Career Planning explaining
  • The reason for exploring or conducting career assessment activities
  • The client's informed choice to participate
  • The goal of the career assessment as part of the career planning process

Step 2: Conduct Assessment Activities

• Administer or facilitate appropriate career assessment tools and/or exploration activities directly with the client
• Ensure the client understands the purpose and voluntary nature of participation
• For more information about Career Planning activities included, please visit the Career Planning chapter.

Step 3: Record and Upload Results

• Scan and upload all completed assessment results and related materials into the Assessment section of the electronic case file (ECF)
• Title the upload using the Name of the Assessment and descriptor of the material. Example: CareerScope Report, Reading Free Results, or Typing Test Summary, etc. 

Step 4: Review Results with Client

• Meet with the client to
  • Review and discuss the results and their meaning
  • Identify short-term activities, long-term activities, and next steps based on the assessment
  • Confirm the client's informed choice regarding future career planning steps
• Record this discussion in a Documented Team Service of Career Planning
  • Summarize key points
  • Document agreed-upon next actions

Note: While not required, the use of the Vocational Evaluation Report may be used by the VR Specialist to document this information. Please follow the guidance outlined in Evaluator: Vocational Evaluation Report. 

Prior to Making a Referral for Vocational Evaluation

Step 1: Discuss Options and Determine Need with the client

• Provide informed choice by discussing different ways to gather career information via Vocational Evaluation services, types of assessments available, their purpose and the way in which gathering this information may be used.
• Determine with the client whether a vocational evaluation would be beneficial
• Consider a referral if any of the following apply
  • Client is indecisive or uncertain about career direction and needs further exploration or assessment
  • Client has a job goal but needs assessment to confirm skills, abilities, or functional capacities
  • Pre-Employment Tranistion (PreEts) student requires additional career exploration (no formal assessment needed)

Step 2: Prepare Before Referral

• Career Exploration -
  • Encourage client to complete Step 1 of the Discovery Booklet or Career Planning Preferences.
  • Review this information with the client to help determine if the referral is needed or if this provides the information needed (strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, abilities, capabilities, interests, and labor market information) to continue Career Planning.
• Assistive Technology Needs - Submit referral to Assistive Technology Partnership (ATP) if assistive devices or technology are needed for participation
• Records and Background Information
  • Gather and upload current or recent medical, psychological, or school records before the evaluation, if available
  • Note: Evaluation may begin without updated records, but final recommendations may be delayed until records are received
  • Some conditions do not require new documentation if existing information is still accurate
• Informed Consent
  • Discuss the purpose and general process of the vocational evaluation with the client
  • Proceed only after obtaining the client's informed consent to refer 
  • Document informed consent in QE2 by describing the discussion (i.e. the purpose, risks, benefits, and process of Vocational Evaluation, any questions or concerns raised by the client and their decision to proceed)

Step 3: Complete Referral

• Complete the Vocational Evaluation Referral form

Step 1: Schedule and Document

• Schedule the Vocational Evaluation (VE) within 15 calendar days of receiving the VE Referral
• If the timeline cannot be met, document the reason in a task note
• Document the Team Service: Vocational Evaluation in QE2

Step 2: Review Background Information

• Review available records, the Discovery Booklet, or Career Planning Preferences before beginning activities
• Arrange accommodations as needed to ensure full participation

Step 3: Prepare and Engage the Client

• Explain the reason for referral and confirm the client's or student's expectations for the evaluation
• Discuss possible accommodations and make adjustments as needed
• Document initial interests and explore further through conversation
• Consider
  • Strengths, resources, priorities, concerns, limitations
  • Abilities, capabilities, job readiness factors
  • Labor market information (LMI)
  • Opportunities for advancement within a career pathway

Step 4: Conduct Assessment Activities

• Observe the client and conduct individualized career planning acitvities, assessments, or community-based/Progressive Employment experiences as appropriate
• For Pre-Employment Tranisiton Service (PreEts) eligibile students without a VR application. Limit activities to the five approved PreEts areas (no formal assessments)
  • Job exploration counseling
  • Work-based learning experiences
  • Counseling on Postsecondary education opportunities
  • Workplace readiness training
  • Instruction in self-advocacy

Step 5: Review and Analyze Results

• Analyze results after all activities are complete
• Review findings with the client, considering Labor Market Information (LMI)
• Identify short-term and long-term activites, next steps, and potential job goals or recommendations
• Staff results with the client's team, including
  • Referring VR Specialist
  • Client/student
  • Authorized representative (if applicable)
  • School staff (if applicable)
• When not possible to staff the results with the client's team, document in a task note describing how the information has been relayed to the applicable individuals.

Step 6: Document and Report

• Record Team Services for
  • Career Planning and Vocational Evaluation or
  • The relevant PreEts service completed (for PreEts student without a VR application)
• Create the Vocational Evaluation Report summarizing activities, results, and recommendations. Follow the guidance outlined in Evaluator: Vocational Evaluation Report tab.
• Review the report with the client and document the discussion and informed next steps

Step 1: Complete the Report

• Complete the Vocational Evaluation Report within 10 calendar days after all evaluation activities are finished
• If the timeline cannot be met, record the reason in a task note

Step 2: Use the Vocational Evaluation Report Screen in QE2

• Use the report screen for formal documentation, not for task notes
• Notes must be succinct and objective

Step 3: Include Required Sections

• Each report must include the following
  • Client name
  • Date of report
  • Primary disability
  • Strengths
  • Barriers to employment
    • Barriers include those career planning factors including an obstacles to be addressed in Career Planning that make it difficult for an individual to find, get, or keep a job. 
  • Initial interest 
    • If no interests are identfied, indicate "exploring"
  • Assessment-specific sections relevant to the type of evaluation completed

Step 4: Summarize Assessment Activities

• Provide a brief summary of the assessment type(s) used, including
  • Standard description 
  • Results and observations
  • Implications for employment planning

Step 5: Write the Final Summary

• Include a concise summary of
  • Key observations and outcomes
  • Discussion with the client about short-term and log-term activites and next steps
  • Potential job or employment goals
  • When appropriate, include Career Pathway opportunities and ways to explore future career growth

Step 6: Attach Supporting Documents

• Scan and upload all assessment results and related attachments into the VE Report

Step 7: Distribute the Final Report

• Provide a copy of the finalized report to all applicable parties, as applicable
  • Student/client
  • Authorized representative
  • DD service coordinator
  • Service provider
  • Teacher or school contact

Step 1: VR Staff Member obtains a quote for materials and quantity and send for order in an email to Program Director for Evaluation and Office Director. The Program Director will reply with approval.

Step 2: VR Staff Member provides the above information along with the vendor information to your Office Fiscal Associate.

Step 3: Office Fiscal Associate completes a DPA (direct purchase authorization) for order based on Vendor quote and have it signed by the Office Director. 

Step 4: Fiscal Associate submits order request with signed DPA and requests an invoice to Nebraska VR.

Step 5: Fiscal Associate emails to State Office Fiscal (vr.soacctgfaxreceivers@nebraska.gov), as an Operating Expense to be paid.

• Document order:
  • Signed DPA
  • Invoice
  • Approval email. 

NOTE: If order was made using P-Card, keep documents to attach to P-Card next statement: signed DPA, P-Card statement, itemized receipt/paid invoice, and approval email.