Career assessment paper

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Running head: CAREER ASSESSMENT PAPER

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CAREER ASSESSMENT PAPER

CAREER DEVELOPMENT PAPER

Your Name

College

Date

Author Note

( I do not count off for this, but want you to understand how to create a title page correctly)

Abstract

The purpose of this evaluation is to determine if Ms. Smith has the
physical ability to do even sedentary work on a full-time and continuing
basis. The process used in this evaluation are clinical interview with
the client, a review of medical and pharmacy records, a study of
vocational history and education, and a professional impression of the
likelihood that a person with the physical limitations of the client can
sustain gainful employment without work place accommodations and/or
further education and training. Additionally, this evaluation will
provide recommendations to the client regarding physical and mental
wellness and referrals to medical, psychological, and vocational
training providers.

Introduction

The client, Sue Smith requested a vocational evaluation to
determine if there is any work that she would be able to do on a
full-time and continuing basis. Currently, she is not working and has
not worked at all since January 31, 2013 when she resigned her position
of Store Manager for T-Mart, Inc. She states the reason she left her
job is due to the severe pain that prevents her for fulfilling her work
duties and responsibilities as they need to be. Ms. Smith reports that
she has been unable to perform her job since her total right hip
replacement March 19, 2012. She did return to work after a short
medical leave and although her pay reflects substantial gainful
activity, her work week was extending because she could not fulfill the
standing requirements of the job and therefore could not sustain an
eight-hour day. Her job as a manager allowed her the flexibility to
schedule herself to come in additional days so that she could meet the
essential functions of the job. She continued this process until August
of 2012 when she began having difficulty with edema and pain in her
left knee. Since August, she has not been able to complete a typical
40-hour work week and her salary was paid because of accrued medical and
personal leave she could use to supplement her hours. Dr. Parker and
White’s records support that Ms. Smith has significant lower extremity
limitation and Dr. White has told her she will need to have a total left
knee replacement

Background and Vocational History

Sue Smith is currently a 53 year-old, white female who is 5’10”
tall and weighs approximately 230 pounds. She resides with her husband
David Smith at the 189 Lucky Lane, Nettleton, MS. 38823. They have
legal custody of their 11-year-old grandson Austin, who also resides at
this address. Mr. and Ms. Smith have two adult children who do not
live in the home. This is a one story, 3-bedroom ranch style home with
no steps and the bathroom is equipped with handrails for both the shower
and the toilet. Ms. Smith has a high school equivalent education and
no other vocational training.

Ms. Smith began work at age 15 and remained employed until January
31, 2013 when her condition became so severe she could no longer
continue in her job. Vocational history for the past fifteen years
includes the following:

1995-1998 Retail Cashier and Stocker T-Mart Inc. Tupelo, MS

In this job, Ms. Smith operated a
cash register, stocked merchandise, and maintained the store and store
grounds. The physical demands of this job required Ms. Smith to stand
during her eight-hour shift, left and carry items weighing 20 pounds on a
frequent basis and 50 pounds on an occasional basis as well as exerting
weights more than 50 pounds on more than an occasional basis. The
postural requirements for this job included the ability to frequently
balance, stoop, kneel, twist, squat, and bend, and occasionally climb
and crawl. Additionally, this job required frequent handling,
fingering, feeling, and reaching with occasional overhead work with both
arms. The mental demands of this job is semi-skilled work, in a
high-stress and high pace environment, with frequent contact with the
public. In review of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles classifies
this work as Variety Store Stock clerk DOT# 299-367-014 it is listed at
the heavy exertion level with a skill level of 4 making this
semi-skilled work (https://occupationalinfo.org, 1994)

Jan. 1999- Sept. 1999 Sewing Machine Operator People Loungers Nettleton, MS

In this job, Ms. Smith operated a sewing machine in a furniture
plant. Her duties in this job are consistent with the job described in
the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. She had to operate a sewing
machine to join cut fabric parts to fabricate upholstery coverings for
household furniture. The DOT # 780-682-018 classifies this work at the
light exertion level with a semi-skill level of 4. https://occupationalinfo.org, 1994).

Oct. 1999-2001 Kitchen Supervisor Avonlee Tupelo, MS

The work Ms. Smith performed in this position is consistent with the
description in the DOT which identifies the duties and responsibilities
as supervises and coordinates activities of food preparation, kitchen,
pantry, and storeroom personnel and purchases or requisitions foodstuffs
and kitchen supplies; Plans or participates in planning menus,
preparing and apportioning foods, and utilizing food surpluses and
leftovers; ensures cleanliness of kitchen and equipment; and tastes,
smells, and observes food to ensure conformance with recipes and
appearance standards; supervises workers engaged in inventory, storage,
and distribution of foodstuffs and supplies. The DOT # for this job is
319-137-030 and is classified at the medium exertion level with a 7
skill level (https://occupationalinfo.org, 1994)

2002-2005 Cashier/Cook Brewer Groc. Shannon, MS

Both of these jobs required the same type of work that Ms. Smith
performed in her work as stock clerk. She was expected to operate a
cash register, stocked merchandise, and maintained the store and store
grounds. In addition, she was required to cook fast food and menu
items. The physical demands of these jobs are more consistent with the
duties and responsibilities of a variety stock clerk and cook. The
variety stock clerk is identified above and the job of cook is
classified with the DOT# 313-374-010 and medium exertion level with a
skill level or 5 (https://occupationalinfo.org, 1994)

2005-2013 Store Manager T-Mart Inc. Amory, MS

The Dictionary of Occupational titles does not have a designation for
someone who manages a Variety Store. In reviewing the DOT and
conducting a number of site visits over the past 20 years with regard to
this type of work, it appears that a composite of 2 jobs would more
accurately describe this work. The DOT classifies the job title of
Store Manager (retail trade) with the DOT # 185-167-046 have a light
exertion level and a 7 skill level. This job did require that Ms.
Smith manage a retail store engaged in selling specific line of
merchandise and she did plan and prepare work schedules and assigns
employees to specific duties. However, that is where the description or
duties ends. Ms. Smith’s work is more accurately reflected by job
title of Department Manager associated with DOT # 299-137-010 which also
has a skill level of 7. The duties that Ms. Smith performed are
consistent with this job description in that she had to supervise and
coordinate activities of workers in department store; Interview job
applicants and evaluate worker performance to recommend personnel
actions such as hiring, retention, promotion, transfer or dismissal of
workers. Assign duties to workers and schedule break periods, work
hours, and vacations. Train workers in store policies, department
procedures, and job duties; Order merchandise, supplies, and equipment.
Record delivery of merchandise, compare record with merchandise ordered,
and reports discrepancies to control costs and maintain correct
inventory levels. Inspect merchandise to ensure it is correctly priced
and displayed. Recommend additions to or deletions of merchandise to be
sold in department. Prepare sales and inventory reports. Listen to
customer complaints, examines returned merchandise, and resolves
problems to restore and promote good public relations. In addition, Ms.
Smith had to perform the duties of cook for the store and maintain the
store and its grounds.

Assessments Administered

Strong Campbell Interest Inventory

The Strong Interest Inventory® assessment is one of the world’s
most widely respected and frequently used career planning tools. It has
helped both academic and business organizations develop the brightest
talent and has guided thousands of individuals—from high school and
college students to midcareer workers seeking a change—in their search
for a rich and fulfilling career.( https://www.psychometrics.com/wp-ontent/uploads/2015/04). The results for Ms. Smith on this measure include the following:

Realistic

· Likes to work with animals, tools, or machines; generally avoids
social activities like teaching, healing, and informing others;

· Has good skills in working with tools, mechanical or electrical drawings, machines, or plants and animals;

· Values practical things you can see, touch, and use like plants and animals, tools, equipment, or machines; and

· Sees self as practical, mechanical, and realistic.

Social

· Likes to do things to help people — like, teaching, nursing, or
giving first aid, providing information; generally, avoids using
machines, tools, or animals to achieve a goal; However, in Ms. Smith
cases, she reports in the clinical interview that she does enjoy using
these things.

· Is good at teaching, counseling, nursing, or giving information;

· Values helping people and solving social problems; and

· Sees self as helpful, friendly, and trustworthy.

Conventional

· Likes to work with numbers, records, or machines in a set, orderly way; generally avoids ambiguous, unstructured activities

· Is good at working with written records and numbers in a systematic, orderly way;

· Values success in business; and

· Sees self as orderly, and good at following a set plan. (Holland, 1997)

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

The MBTI and Myers-Briggs concepts of Personality Type can help
individuals recognize how they interact with their inner and outer
world, how they relate to others, how they make decisions, and how they
organize their thoughts. Research has shown that many of the different
Personality Types tend to have distinct preferences in their choice of
careers. We have incorporated observations of each type’s character
traits which affect career choice along with some suggestions for
possible directions. We have also included lists of actual careers which
the various types have chosen in their lives. ( http://www.personalitypage.com/careers.html)

Understanding your Personality Type can assist your career
development in a number of ways. It can help you select a career field
that is a good fit for your personality make-up. It can increase your
awareness of your learning style so you can better benefit from career
related education. Understanding your personality preferences can help
you better manage Job challenges that inevitably rise their ugly heads
during the course of our career. Knowing your Personality Type, and
especially knowing the kind of detailed information a Step II MBTI
report can provide, will aid you in a job search, both in marketing
yourself and in evaluating opportunities that arise. ( http://www.personalitypathways.com/article/career-plan.html).
The results for Ms. Smith show that she is an ESFJ. This indicates
the following characteristics regarding her personality.

Characteristics of this type include the following:

· Organized

· Loyal

· Can be depended on to follow things through to completion

· Enjoy creating order, structure and schedules

· Enjoy interacting with people

· Warm-hearted and sympathetic

· Tend to put others’ needs above their own

· Very good at giving practical care

· Very cooperative, good team members

· Practical and down-to-earth

· Value peaceful living and security

· Enjoy variety, but work well with routine tasks

· Need approval from others

· Receive satisfaction from giving to others

Clinical Interview

Although Ms. Smith has other physical problems, her main issues
are with her lower extremity limitations and pain management. Ms.
Smith’s medical history is significant for degenerative disc and joint
disease, total right hip replacement, and left knee malfunction which
will require a total knee replacement. Because of problems with both
lower limbs, Ms. Smith cannot stand and/or walk 6 hours out of an 8-hour
work day or equivalent schedule.

Furthermore, due to her right total hip replacement she cannot
perform even occasional postural demands of work such as climbing,
stooping, crouching, kneeling, crawling, bending, squatting, or
twisting. She must avoid concentrated exposure to environmental
elements such as gas, dust, fumes, strong odors, and exposure to extreme
heat and cold because of her COPD. She has some limitations with her
right hand which would limit her ability to frequently handle, finger,
and manipulate things. Given these limitations, Ms. Smith would need to
find sedentary work that allowed for a sit/stand option where she could
sit for 20 minutes, stand for 10-20 minutes and alternate sitting and
standing at her discretion. She would also need to be allowed to
recline at least 3 times a day for 20 minutes at a time to avoid
problems with left leg edema. In addition, she would need to work at a
job that did not require frequent use of her right, dominate hand and
work that did not require that she lift more than 4 or 5 pounds on an
occasional basis.

Ms. Smith’s past work is classified at the medium exertion level and
she worked long enough to acquire the specific vocational preparation of
a skill level of 7. Her past work as Store Manager is classified in
the DOT at the light exertion level. However, that classification does
not accurately reflect the past work that Ms. Smith did and should not
be considered as part of her past work. The work she performed is more
consistent with that of a Department Manager which is classified at the
medium exertion level. Regardless, in determining transferability of
skills from her past work, Ms. Smith does not have skills that would
transfer readily and without additional vocational preparation to
sedentary work. In analyzing jobs in the local labor market, there are
no jobs available that Ms. Smith could do given her limitations and lack
of transferable skills. Also, Ms. Smith’s pain has to be managed day
by day. Her level of pain is unpredictable depending of prior activity
level and weather conditions but she reports that she would miss time
away from work on average of at least one day a week. Employers will
tolerate absence from the work place no more than 3 days out of a work
month. However, in conducting job site interviews with employers, they
would be inclined to terminate employment if a worker consistently
missed 3 days of work a month. In considering her physical limitations
and pain, Ms. Smith could not perform gainful employment on a continuous
and consistent basis for 5 days a week. In summarizing Ms. Smith’s
work history, predominately her work for the past fifteen years has been
done at the medium to heavy exertion level with a 7 skill level.

Review of Medical Records (can use special circumstances)

Ms. Smith’s medical history is significant for the following
problems, GERD, COPD, Degenerative joint and disc disease, edema of the
right hand and both lower extremities and moderate to severe pain in the
right upper extremity, right hip constantly and left hip more than
occasionally, and constant severe pain in the left knee. In 1999, Ms.
Smith had an arthroscopic procedure performed by Dr. Rice to repair her
left knee. Ms. Smith underwent esophageal repair in 2007 and total
right hip replacement in March of 2012.

Medical records from Dr. Parker provide evidence of Ms. Smith’s
ongoing medical conditions listing in a number of records problems she
has with chronic respiratory problems due to her COPD and moderate to
severe pain in her back, hips, and knees. On May 11, 2010, x-rays of
both hip shows significant arthritis in bilateral hips with the right
being worse than the left. Also, in medical records dated May 13, 2011
she was having problems with radiation down her right leg. At that
time, she had generalized myalgia and arthralgia (muscle and joint pain)
of her shoulders, hands, and knees. Dr. Parker ordered blood work to
rule out rheumatoid arthritis but subsequent records list this condition
under prior problems and Ms. Smith has had at least one episode in the
past year of gout which required medication.

Medical records from Dr. White support the problems Ms. Smith reports
with regard to pain in her lower extremities. Although the right total
hip replacement was successful in correcting the joint problem, Ms.
Smith continues to experience significant pain especially when the
weather is cold or wet. She manages her pain with prescription pain
medication, ice, heat, rest, and elevation. Dr. White’s records also
support the need for Ms. Smith to undergo total left knee.

Medical evidence supports Ms. Smith’s allegations of severe pain. In
addition to her degenerative joint disease, she has been diagnosed with
degenerative disc disease of the spine, osteo and rheumatoid arthritis
and has been treated for numerous upper respiratory infections due to
COPD. Dr. White’s records indicate that her right hip is healing but
Ms. Smith has an abnormal gait and experience problems walking distances
longer than 100 feet.

Activities of Dailey Living

The interview took place on May 1, 2013. After a brief
introduction of my credentials, the session began. Ms. Smith was
cooperative and pleasant and stated she understood the purpose of the
interview. Her primary reason for seeking help is to determine if she
is eligible for disability benefits from social security and if not what
kind of work she would be able to do given her physical limitations and
pain. I explained that in order to be eligible for social security
disability benefits she would have to prove disability under social
security law and that her disability is so severe that she could not do
her past work or any work in the local or national economy. To help
determine if there is work Ms. Smith could do, we discussed her typical
daily routine.

Ms. Smith states that she is able to take care of her personal needs
such as bathing, toileting and dressing but she requires the use of hand
bars, a shower bench occasionally, and to get dress sitting down. She
does the family shopping about once a week but has to have assistance
with getting groceries and other items in and out of her vehicle. She
also needs help in putting items away that require she bend or stoop.
She states that she gets up early, around 5:30 or 6:00 am to get her
grandson up and ready for school. She starts her day in a lift chair
that reclines in order to keep the swelling from being so bad in her
knees and ankles, especially her left knee and ankle. She can do light
house work but has to take a break every 20 minutes to sit down due to
burning pain in her left knee and pain in her right hip area. She can
walk a total of about 300 feet a day but not all at the same time. Her
husband prepared a path for her so that she could walk from her back
porch to the edge of the yard. The distance is approximately 30 feet
and she does this several times a day to help with soreness and
stiffness in her legs and feet. Ms. Smith states she does the minimum
she has too in order to manage her physical condition. Even with taking
these precautions, she still experiences nights when she cannot go to
sleep due to discomfort and pain. The lack of sleep affects her ability
to focus and concentrate the next day on even routine tasks such as
making a shopping lists or gathering ingredients for a recipe. Lack of
sleep in combination with her pain medication affects her ability to
concentrate and focus on what she is doing for example watching a
30-minute television show or reading a novel.

During this interview, Ms. Smith expressed her sense of loss over her
physical condition and sadness in not being able to do what she once
did. Ms. Smith states that the heaviest thing she lifts is a 4-pound
bag of sugar with an amount heavier than that resulting in pain and
difficulty in ambulating if she has to walk. She reports that she does
not climb anything except an occasional step if she has to go somewhere
that does not have a ramp. She cannot climb a complete flight of steps
without it taking a long time. She has to put her “good” leg up and
then pull up her right leg so she avoids them if at all possible. Ms.
Smith states she cannot stoop, bend, squat, crawl, crouch or twist
without severe hip pain. Although, she has had problems with swelling
in her hands, as documented in the medical records, she can occasionally
handle and finger items without difficulty. However, when her hands
swell she has to use ice and heat to help with the edema and pain. Ms.
Smith states that she has to avoid gases, fumes, chemicals, and extremes
of heat and cold in order to prevent problems with respiratory
infections and COPD symptoms. Ms. Smith manages her pain with
prescription pain medication, aspirin, ice and heating pad, and
elevation. She states that she is never pain free and that some days
are better than others depending on the weather and the activities she
has done the day before. She reports that she spends approximately half
her day, about 4 out of 8 hours in a reclining position to avoid pain
and swelling in her left knee as well as pain in her right hip.

Summary and Recommendations

Ms. Smith is a 53-year-old female, approaching advanced age, who
has a long, successful work history. Her medical evidence supports her
significant physical limitation with regard to joint and disc problems,
past and recommended surgeries, COPD, and pain. She cannot return to
past work either as she performed it or as it is generally performed in
the local and national economy. She does not have skills that will
transfer readily or without further vocational preparation to a
sedentary position. She would not be able to sustain work for 8 hours a
day, 5 days a week on a consistent and continuous basis.

However, Ms. Smith would be able to part-time in a job that would
allow her to sit and stand at will. The following are suggestions as to
the work Ms. Smith could do for no more than 20 hours a week. The
following are suggestions for work that Ms. Smith might be able to do on
a part-time basis. The Dictionary of Occupational Titles identifies
the jobs in terms of title, number, description, exertional level and
specific vocational preparation.

CODE: 209.562-010

TITLE(s): CLERK, GENERAL (clerical) alternate titles: office clerk, routine

Performs any combination of following and similar clerical duties
requiring limited knowledge of systems or procedures: Writes, types, or
enters information into computer, using keyboard, to prepare
correspondence, bills, statements, receipts, checks, or other documents,
copying information from one record to another. Proofreads records or
forms. Counts, weighs, or measures material. Sorts and files records.
Receives money from customers and deposits money in bank. Addresses
envelopes or packages by hand or with typewriter or addressograph
machine. Stuffs envelopes by hand or with envelope stuffing machine.
Answers telephone, conveys messages, and runs errands. Stamps, sorts,
and distributes mail. Stamps or numbers forms by hand or machine.
Photocopies documents, using photocopier.
(http://www.occupationalinfo.org/).

According to the DOT, this work is classified at the light exertional
level indicating requirements that a person should be able to stand
and/or sit 6 hours out of an 8-hour day. However, in Ms. Smith’s
situation she would need to work no more than 4 hours a day and be
allowed to sit and stand as will. In conducting job site analysis on
this work, there are industries that will allow for this option. The
specific vocational preparation (SVP) is a 3 which indicates
semi-skilled work and would be consistent with her past occupational
profile where she had acquired and SVP of 7 which is skilled work.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016, the median pay for
this job is $14.70 per hour with an annual median income of $30,000.
It requires a high school diploma, does not require work experience
since person would be trained on the job. There are over 3,000,000 of
these jobs in the national economy and it is anticipated that there will
be approximately 95,000 openings each year in this job classification.
(https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/general-office-clerks.htm)

CODE: 237.367-038

TITLE(s): RECEPTIONIST (clerical) alternate titles: reception clerk

The essential function of this job receives callers at
establishment, determines nature of business, and directs callers to
destination: Obtains caller’s name and arranges for appointment with
person called upon. Directs caller to destination and records name, time
of call, nature of business, and person called upon. May operate PBX
telephone console to receive incoming messages. May type memos,
correspondence, reports, and other documents.
(http://www.occupationalinfo.org/).

According to the DOT, this job is classified at the sedentary
level which requires that a person be able to sit 6 out of an 8-hour day
and stand and/or walk for 2 hours out of an 8-hour day. Again, Ms.
Smith will need to only work for 4 hours and will need the option to sit
and stand at will. In conducting site visits for this job,
observations indicate that this job will allow Ms. Smith the sit/stand
option. The SVP for this job is a 4 indicating this is a semi-skilled
job consistent with Ms. Smith’s past work.

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016, the
median pay for this job is $11.70 per hour with an annual median income
of $22,000. It requires a high school diploma, does not require work
experience since person would be trained on the job. There are over
31000,000 of these jobs in the national economy and it is anticipated
that there will be approximately 45,000 openings each year in this job
classification. (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/office-and-administrative-support/general-office-clerks.htm).

CODE: 237.367-010

TITLE(s): APPOINTMENT CLERK (clerical) alternate titles: reception clerk

Schedules appointments with employer or other employees for
clients or customers by mail, phone, or in person, and records time and
date of appointment in appointment book. Indicates in appointment book
when appointments have been filled or cancelled. May telephone or write
clients to remind them of appointments. May receive payments for
services, and record them in ledger. (http://www.occupationalinfo.org/).

According to the DOT, this job is classified at the sedentary
level which requires that a person be able to sit 6 out of an 8-hour day
and stand and/or walk for 2 hours out of an 8-hour day. Again, Ms.
Smith will need to only work for 4 hours and will need the option to sit
and stand at will. In conducting site visits for this job,
observations indicate that this job will allow Ms. Smith the sit/stand
option. The SVP for this job is a 3 indicating this is a semi-skilled
job consistent with Ms. Smith’s past work.

I would encourage Ms. Smith to pursue her claim for Social
Security Disability benefits. I would suggest looking at the listing of
impairments and consider Ms. Smith meet 1.01 Musculoskeletal
Impairments, specifically 1.02 which discusses major dysfunction of
joints. Ms. Smith’s medical documentation supports problems with her
right hip and left knee which meets section A of this listing denoting
the involvement of one major peripheral weight-bearing joint. In Ms.
Smith’s case, both lower extremities are affected which results in her
not being able to ambulate effectively. If this listing does not apply,
then I would suggest that given Ms. Smith’s age, education, and lack of
transferable skills and that she would be limited to sedentary work,
she would be disabled when applying the grid rule for social security
benefits. Likewise, Ms. Smith cannot sustain a normal work schedule on a
continuing and consistent basis which would prevent her from performing
work at any level.

It has been a pleasure working with Ms. Smith. I am convinced
that she is unable to do her past work or any work at this time. Even
with her left knee repaired, her condition is degenerative and not
expected to improve to the point where she could return to substantial
work. Even with additional training, she could, at best, work on a
part-time basis. Because working is important to her, I would recommend
that Ms. Smith contact the Mississippi Department of Rehabilitation
Services and discuss the possibility of training for work that would be
available given her physical limitations. They could provide her with
training for sedentary work and would be able to advocate on her behalf
for workplace accommodations and modifications.

References:

Duane Brown (2016). Career information, career counseling, and career development. (11th ed.). Pearson, Boston.

Figler, H., & Bolles, R. N. (2007). The Career Counselor’s Handbook. (2nd ed.) Berkley:

Ten Speed Press.

www.myersbriggs.org/my-mbti-personality-type.

www.strongcampbell.org.

https://www.onetonline.org

.

http://www.occupationalinfo.org

.

https://www.bls.gov

.

 

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