Reemployment Assessment:

A written assessment by a qualified rehab provider which provides a comprehensive review of the medical diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.  Three point contact with employer, claimant, and physician.  It recommends a cost effective rehab plan to assist the employee to gainful employment.  This is a one-time assessment.  The carrier, at 60 days after injury, must determine whether the employee is likely to return to work.  The carrier must review re-employment status at 90-day intervals.  As stated in FL Statute 440.491, if continued re-employment services are needed, the original provider who completed the assessment cannot provide further services.  On a Re-employment Assessment referred after 60 days, the agency that completes the assessment cannot continue to provide re-employment services.

Vocational Assessment: 

This assessment includes many of the same services that were named in the re-employment assessment, with the exception of this, that it is not a one-time assessment.  A qualified provider can complete the Vocational Assessment and then carry out the services the carrier deems appropriate.  In other words, the same company that completes the Vocational Assessment can continue with appropriate vocational services.  These services include:  Labor Market Survey, Job Analysis, Job Goal Development, Individual Job Development Services, Job Readiness and Seeking Skills Counseling, and Transferable Skills Analysis.

   Labor Market Survey: Documents potential wage earning capacity, physical demands of vocational goal, minimum educational requirements, work experience required, potential job openings.

   Job Analysis: Qualified Rehab Provider interviews the employer, observes an employee working that respective job, and outlines all physical requirements necessary to complete the job.  A modified Job Analysis refers to a position that has been modified to meet the needs of the claimant.  All Job Analyses must be approved by the treating physician.

   Ergonomic Job Site Analysis:  An Ergonomic Job Site Analysis is a detailed evaluation, which determines the appropriate mechanical and environmental factors that influence an individual’s production, quality of work, and safety in the workplace.  It can be used to optimize the “fit” between the worker and the job, which can in turn reduce unnecessary injuries or illnesses.  The Ergonomic Job Analysis can be used pro-actively, before the onset of injury, or a workers “complaint” of injury, and can also be used as a tool when returning an individual to work. 

   Job Goal Development: Developing feasible job goals with the claimant, to include educational level, skill level, any training, and physical requirements.

   Individual Job Development: The Qualified Provider seeks out appropriate jobs by contacting employers in the respective areas and scheduling interviews.  Provide follow-up services after the interview takes place, and then document the outcome.  If the claimant obtains employment, the Qualified Provider obtains a Job Analysis of the new position, and obtains approval from the treating physician.  Then a start date is scheduled and the claimant is notified.

   Job Readiness and Job Seeking Skills Counseling: While working with the claimant, the Qualified Rehab Provider assists the claimant in ways to become job ready, by offering counseling return to work strategies.

   Transferable Skills Analysis: Obtain a detailed work history, and determine what skills are transferable and what skills need to be learned, by using several tools. 

Vocational Evaluation:

This service should be completed by a Certified Vocational Evaluator (CVE) or a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC).  This includes interview with the claimant, some of the same services as the vocational assessment, for background purposes.  A Vocational Evaluation includes testing, i.e. ability testing, interest inventories, hand/eye coordination, manual dexterity, aptitude testing.  A Labor Market Survey, plus a Transferable Skills Analysis, is included.  This service is recommended in the event training is appropriate.

To request a Reemployment Assessment, Vocational Assessment, or Vocational Evaluation, click here to complete our Referral Form.

Proactive Return to Work Program:

Goal:  Return the injured worker to the same position/modified position with the same employer.

Summary:  Our Return to Work (RTW) Specialist becomes involved at onset of injury, meeting with the employer.  This includes obtaining a Job Analysis of the pre-injury position along with modifications of the same job with lessened physical demands for the same position.  The RTW Specialist provides recommendations for appropriate work tasks (within the worker’s physical restrictions) and coordinates a return to work date communicating with the Carrier, Employer, Physician and Nurse Case Manager.

Return to Work Status:

A.  Full Duty Recovery work status– Return to pre-injury position after full recovery.
B. Modified (same job) Recovery work status – Return to pre-injury position or job in same department with modifications, prior to MMI.
C. Lowered/Light Duty work status – Return worker to custom-designed position that includes lowered physical demands so that employee attains a work status until released to do pre-injury position, prior to MMI.

How it Works:  From the onset of injury, call Workers Rehabilitation and a RTW Specialist will schedule a meeting with the employer.  Information will be obtained about the pre-injury position and compiled in a Job Analysis*.  (Full Recovery).  Determination will be made regarding if job can be modified according to Lowered/Light Duty standards and recommend appropriate modifications.  RTW Specialist will discuss with Employer the opportunity to create a light duty position and obtain a Job Analysis for the physician’s review.

*All job analyses will include pictures of the job position, if allowed by employer.

Objectives for Meeting with Employer:

•  Develop cooperative relationship representing carrier in a professional manner.
•  Compile JA using creative means to develop job adaptations/modifications.
•  Survey workplace to determine options for light duty position.

OPTION I:  RTW Specialist will schedule and meet directly with the treating physician to discuss Job Analysis, possible job modifications, educate the physician about the job, and develop a time frame for a release to return to work. Nurse Case Manager provides follow up with physician.

OPTION II:  Job Analysis will be submitted directly to the Nurse Case Manager (NCM) who will present it to the physician at next appointment for physician’s opinion on job suitability for the injured worker. The NCM will provide the physician with concrete, objective information about the job functions from the JA.

The RTW Specialist will contact the NCM and obtain information on physician opinion. A return to work date will be scheduled with the employer by Workers Rehabilitation, Inc.

Benefits of Proactive Return to Work:

•  Returns IW back to work sooner.
•  Provides physician with objective, job-related standards to use in determining restrictions.
•  Outlines options if worker cannot return to regular position.
•  Decreases litigation.
•  Workers feel valued.
•  Decreases the likelihood of re-injury.
•  Decreases workers’ compensation rates.
•  Educates employers with options for return to work solutions.
•  The RTW Specialist acts as a catalyst for solidifying a positive relationship between carrier and employer.

To request our Proactive Return-to-Work Program Services, click here to complete our RTW Referral Form.