Once a claim has been lodged, early referral to rehabilitation services is imperative to reduce the likely period of incapacity as well as the human and financial costs of a claim. In the early stages of incapacity, it is vital that the injured worker’s attention is quickly turned to return to work issues by formulating plans to return them to suitable employment at the work place or to seek suitable alternate employment.

In our experience, where a long period of incapacity occurs before a return to work is facilitated or a return to work program fails, the chances of a successful outcome is severely diminished. We are also highly cognisant of the fact that achieving a durable return to work program with the injury employer is critical in the management of workplace injury and achieving the aims of the workers compensation system. To maximise the chance of a successful outcome, we ensure all issues that could impact on the claim are addressed prior to any return to work program being implemented and seek the support and agreement of all parties.

After exhausting all possible avenues to return an injured worker to pre-injury, suitable or alternate duties with their pre-injury employer, cases are referred to our vocational division, Job-Fast for assessment and implementation of Vocational and job-seeking assistance.

Return to Work - Old Employer
Job-Fast
Specialised Assessments
Acquired Brain Injury Services

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Return to Work - Old Employer

Initial Assessment and Report

In many cases, an initial meeting with the worker is paramount to gain a full understanding of all the issues and circumstances surrounding the injury. A discussion with the employer, treating practitioner/s and Claims Officer also provides valuable information on the worker’s condition and likely reception when they may return to work. We also seek to identify and address any issues that need to be resolved and other specific restrictions and barriers to a successful return to work outcome.

Case Management and Rehabilitation Counselling

The focus remains on returning the worker to work whilst ensuring timely and cost effective services with durable outcomes. CAC maintain regular contact with all parties to achieve a successful and durable return to work outcome. Meetings are conducted as necessary with various parties to review progress and overcome any barriers. Monthly progress reports are provided to the employer, agent, worker and treater detailing the progress/action to date, short and long term goals of the program, current medical opinion regarding the worker’s capacity for work, barriers to return to work, a clear action plan/ recommendations and details of rehabilitation costs approved and spent to date. Regular telephone/email contact with the agent and employer are also mandatory.

Work Site Assessment and Report

A work site meeting is generally required to ensure injured workers and employers clearly understand the guidelines and limitations of any return to work program. It also aims to identify any suitable alternate duties that an injured worker can perform prior to being able to resume unrestricted pre-injury duties. Once the report has been completed copies are sent to the worker, claims officer, employer and treating practitioners.

Our Work Site Assessment reports usually contain colour photos of the duties and environment. We have found that completion of these reports assists treaters to understand the type and nature of duties available and will make them more likely to clear an injured worker to return to work. The reports also aid independent medical examiners to assess an injured worker’s capacity to return to work if the treating practitioner is non-communicative or the worker fails to comply with a return to work plan.

Graduated Return to Work Program

Usually prepared at or after a Work Site Assessment is conducted, a graduated return to work program aims to assist injured workers to make a safe and successful return to work. Graduated return to work programs generally involve reduced hours and/or different/reduced duties. It is important that all parties (the worker, treater, claims officer and employer) are involved in the preparation of the program to ensure it is adequately supported and to maximise the chance of a successful outcome. To meet legislative requirements and to ensure restrictions/capabilities are adhered to, formal Return to Work Plans that define the duties/hours that are to be performed are prepared and signed by all parties.

Vocational assessment

Vocational assessments can be undertaken to assist clients who have an injury that means that they are unable to return to work in their previous position but could still work in another capacity for the same employer. In this instance, a vocational assessment will seek to determine the client’s skills, employment history, education as well as any on the job or external training that is likely to be required to result in a job placement opportunity.

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