Sylvia Rolison , BSN, MPH, CCM Pete Mills, M.Ed., CRC, CCM Bruce H. Brawner , M.Ed., CRC, CCM

1. Return to Work Program Through the Utilization of Medical Management andVocational Rehabilitation Services Sylvia Rolison, BSN, MPH, CCM Pete Mills, M.Ed., CRC, CCM Bruce H. Brawner, M.Ed., CRC, CCM .

2. Definition of Case Management • Collaborative process that assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors and evaluates the options and services required to meet the client’s health and human service needs. It is characterized by advocacy, communication, and resource management, and promotes quality and cost-effective interventions and outcomes. (CCMC website)

3. The Role of the Case Manager • Assesses, plans, implements, coordinates, monitors, communicates, facilitates, motivates and evaluates • Through medical treatment & rehabilitation to return to work • Graduate to the highest level in the most efficient manner

4. Considerations that Affect RTW • Nature of the injury • Employee’s attitude • Physician quality and attitude • Employer’s return to work program • Other medical factors not related to the work injury but may affect the outcome….diabetes, living conditions, culture, legal issues and support system

5. In Summary • The Case Manager is the communication highway • A motivator and a mediator • Keeps everyone on the same page • Keeps everyone's eye on the prize (successful return to work outcome)

6. Vocational Rehabilitation Services • Vocational evaluation • Vocational/educational testing • Vocational counseling • Labor market survey • Job placement services

7. Vocational Rehabilitation Services (continued) • Consulting with the treating physician • Performing job analysis • Rehabilitation/life care planning • Vocational expert testimony

8. Vocational Evaluation • Age • Education/training • Previous work experience • Other life experiences • Military history, hobbies, social and civic activities • Vocational/educational testing • Information regarding post-injury, physical/psychological capabilities • Transferable job skills

9. Analysis of Past Work • Physical demands • Skills • Aptitudes • Worker traits

10. Physical Demands of Work • Sedentary • Light • Medium • Heavy • Very Heavy

11. Job Skills • Unskilled • Semi-skilled • Skilled

12. Vocational Expert Services • Vocational evaluation • Vocational testing • Job analysis • Job accommodation • Job placement • Labor market surveys • Wage earning capacity • Vocational testimony

13. Determine Post-Injury Employability • Comparing the wages earned or capable of being earned by that same worker following their injury • Age • Education • Access to the labor market • Economic conditions of his or her area of residence • Placeability • Labor force participation

14. Return-to-Work Process • Placement with previous employer is first priority • Placement with different or new employer is second priority • On-the-job training • Formal training

15. Conclusion • The primary goal of vocational rehabilitation is return to work • The secondary goal is to provide information to our referral source and to the Administrative Law Judge

16. Barriers & Solutions for Return to Work • Communication • Disconnect between the FCE and the job • Supervisor/employee relationship • Medication and job placement • Accurate job descriptions • Planned light-duty program

17. Success Stories

18. Questions