Assessment of need for rehabilitation

When a Worker Report Form is received, accompanied by the accident/incident report card and the WorkCover Medical Certificate, an assessment is made by the Rehabilitation Case Manager of the need for rehabilitation. This is based on the type and severity of injury, the number of hours/days absent from work and advice from the Doctor as per the Medical Certificate.

Both the Head of the OHS Unit and Occupational Health Nurse may jointly visit the injured staff member at home or in hospital. They will assess the need of the staff member for rehabilitation and if appropriate will commence a formal rehabilitation program at that time and inform the staff member of his or her rights and responsibilities while undertaking rehabilitation.

The Head OHS Unit and the Occupational Health Nurse meet on a weekly basis to discuss the current status of staff members whose injuries may lead to complications or who are having continuing or increasing treatment of some form after their return to work.

The supervisor of the injured/ill staff member also has a role with regard to assessing rehabilitation need. If the staff member has returned to work and in the opinion of the supervisor is not coping well because of the injury or illness then it is the responsibility of the supervisor to inform the staff member of his or her opinion. The supervisor will then contact the Rehabilitation Case Manager and arrange for a meeting with the staff member, the supervisor and the Rehabilitation Case Manager in order to assess the need for rehabilitation assistance.