Rehabilitation Policy, Programs and Procedures

1

Rehabilitation Policy

2

Rehabilitation Programmes

3

Rehabilitation Procedures

4

Counselling: Work-Related & Private Problems

1.

Rehabilitation Policy

1.1 The University provides rehabilitation programmes pursuant to the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1986. These programmes have the objective of achieving the maximum possible restoration of physical, psychological, economic, vocational and social functions of an injured staff member at the earliest possible time.

1.2 The Manager of Human Resources has the responsibility of ensuring that the Rehabilitation Case Manager negotiates with work areas to provide safe and suitable duties to staff members who have experienced a work related injury or illness.

1.3 This policy will be reviewed every four years or more often should legislative or major organisational changes occur or should requests for revision be received by the University Occupational Health and Safety Committee.

1.4 This policy should be read in conjunction with the Flinders University Injury Management Policy and Programme.

2.

Rehabilitation Programmes

2.1 The rehabilitation programmes provided by the University seek to achieve the return to full employment of the staff member as soon as practicable following a work-related injury. Such programmes will involve as appropriate:

2.1.1 prescribed duties, within the staff member's normal range of duties;

2.1.2 restricted hours of work;

2.1.3 alternative duties (including any training which may be required);

2.1.4 referral of a staff member to a contracted rehabilitation provider (if the staff member requests it) for assessment of rehabilitation needs and the provision of such needs.

2.2 The rehabilitation programme will normally include the development of a written return to work plan with the involvement of the injured staff member and his or her Rehabilitation Case Manager, supervisor and advice from the treating medical practitioner. If necessary the treatment providers may be consulted for advice when drawing up the initial return to work plan and/or when revising that plan.

2.3 Development of a rehabilitation programme may also involve an injured staff member's family member, health and safety representative or union representative if requested by the staff member.

2.4 The return to work plan will have the following objectives:

2.4.1 where practicable the return to normal duties of the injured staff member as soon as is possible;

2.4.2 commitment of the injured staff member and the University to the success of the rehabilitation programme;

2.4.3 the development and implementation of the programme in a coordinated way; and

2.4.4 provision of a written record of the return to work plan, including the goals of the programme, for the use of the injured staff member and the University.

2.5 The rehabilitation programmes provided by the University will be:

2.5.1 managed by a Rehabilitation Case Manager employed by the University. In undertaking this function the Rehabilitation Case Manager may advise the Executive Director of Administration, via the Manager of Human Resources, that a particular placement is recommended. The Executive Director of Administration may then place the staff member in the position held prior to the injury, a vacant post elsewhere in the University or a super-numerary post with such restrictions as are appropriate to the situation.

2.5.2 supported by the Heads of Faculty, Deans of Schools, Heads of Divisions, University Librarian and relevant supervisors, by means of provision of safe and suitable duties. In addition, the support and cooperation of other relevant staff members and their trade unions will be expected to be an essential part of the rehabilitation programme.

2.6 Any financial cost associated with the placement of a staff member in a position as detailed in paragraphs 2.5.1 and 2.5.2 above shall be the responsibility of the Faculty, Library or other Division of the University in which the staff member was employed at the time of the injury. This cost will be offset by any financial provision met by Unisure Pty Ltd pursuant to the Workers Rehabilitation and Compensation Act, 1986.

3.

Rehabilitation Procedures

3.1 Work injury and rehabilitation

In the event that a work related injury results in time away from work the following procedures have been established to ensure that rehabilitation can proceed in an efficient and effective manner. What is to be done, who is to do it, and when it is to be completed is outlined below. A flow chart (section 3.7) illustrates this process. Not all steps need to be undertaken in every case.

3.2 The injured staff member

The injured staff member should:

3.2.1 Obtain any necessary medical treatment and advise the treating doctor that the injury is work related;

3.2.2 Report the injury to his or her supervisor and to the Occupational Health and Safety Unit as per the requirements of the Employee/Students section (4.1.5) of the University's Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Policy and Procedures (refer to the Policy).

3.2.3 In conjunction with the Rehabilitation Case Manager and/or rehabilitation provider be involved in the planning and implementation of a rehabilitation programme.

3.3 The supervisor of the injured staff member

The supervisor shall:

3.3.1 report the injury to the Rehabilitation Case Manager within three days of the injury and provide an estimate of the severity of that injury;

3.3.2 assist the Rehabilitation Case Manager in developing, implementing and monitoring an appropriate return to work programme;

3.3.3 discuss with the staff member and the Rehabilitation Case Manager the staff member's duration in the work area, level of competency, attitude to work and the interaction between themselves and the staff member;

3.3.4 keep copies of the accident report card and all relevant medical certificates; and

3.3.5 take action, where appropriate, to prevent re-occurrence of injury; and

in addition to this the Supervisor should:

3.3.6 assist the staff member in completing an accident report card as per the Hazard Identification section (4.1.4.1) of the Occupational Health Safety and Welfare Policy and Procedures if such assistance is required (refer to the Policy);

3.3.7 assist the staff member in completing a Worker Report Form (Claim Form) if such assistance is required; and

3.3.8 maintain contact with the staff member whether at work, hospital or home, provide support and assistance to the injured worker on return to work and assist in the monitoring of the rehabilitation programme.

3.4

Rehabilitation Case Manager

The Rehabilitation Case Manager shall:

3.4.1 contact the staff member where practicable within 48 hours of notification of a lost time injury to assess any likely rehabilitation needs including vocational referral;

3.4.2 coordinate all aspects of any rehabilitation programme;

3.4.3 liaise with Unisure Pty Ltd (the insurer) regarding the rehabilitation of the staff member;

3.4.4 liaise with the immediate supervisor and with the designated staff in the relevant Faculty or Division or with the University Librarian regarding the implementation of the rehabilitation programme;

3.4.5 ensure that all relevant compensation, payroll services matters are dealt with expeditiously; and

3.4.6 advise, and act for, the Executive Director of Administration in placing a staff member in any graduated return to normal or other duties; and

3.4.7 ensure that WorkCover Performance Standards 'non-compliance procedures' are followed where applicable; and

3.4.8 draft changes to rehabilitation policy and procedures as required.

3.5 Head, Occupational Health and Safety Unit

The Head, Occupational Health and Safety Unit should as appropriate:

3.5.1 on receipt of the accident/incident report facilitate investigation of the incident;

3.5.2 facilitate preventative measures in respect of the incident as recommended by relevant management;

3.5.3 provide advice and assistance in the health and safety aspects of the rehabilitation programme; and

3.5.4 ensure that all statutory health and safety and other related reporting requirements are met.

3.6 Unisure Pty Ltd

The Manager of Unisure shall:

3.6.1 determine the liability of the University for a claim under the Act;

3.6.2 liaise with the Rehabilitation Case Manager as required;

3.6.3 ensure that 'WorkCover' reporting requirements are met;

3.6.4 provide management information to the University on its workers compensation performance; and

3.6.5 carry out all other requirements of the University's Injury Management Policy and Procedures.

3.7

Flowchart

Outline of the rehabilitation process, starting from the time of the accident.

4.

Counselling: Work-Related Problems 

4.1 Counselling

Psychological counselling for all staff members is available via the University's Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

See section 5 of the Occupational Health, Safety and Welfare Policy and Procedures for details.

4.2 Staff who have had a claim accepted

Staff who have had a Workers Compensation claim accepted by Unisure may receive counselling for psychological matters relating to that claim from any psychologist or psychiatrist they choose.