Return to Work: Vocational Case Managers and Therapists Working Together: A Winning Return-to-Work Combination
Beth Healy
Elizabeth M. Watson MS, CRC, CCM, LCPC, CBIS

$3.95 		Professional Case Management
January 2011 
Volume 16  Number 1
Pages 45 - 47
 
  PDF Version Available!

ABSTRACT
Physical therapists, occupational therapists, and vocational case managers share the same goal: return injured workers to work as quickly and safely as possible.In order to make this happen, though, there must be consistent communication and collaboration between the therapists and managers. Understanding each other's roles, being aware of how they can assist each other, and recognizing each other's impact on the return-to-work (RTW) process helps not only the injured workers, but the employers as well. Unfortunately, therapists and vocational case managers do not always work together and at times may even have adversarial relationships, which can negatively impact RTW efforts. However, with steady teamwork, injured workers are more likely to have the benefit of successful, timely, and safe RTW. In these cases, everyone wins.The authors have compiled questions and answers to help the reader understand the roles of therapists and vocational case managers in workers' compensation cases. The first three questions are answered by the second author; the final three are answered by the first author.1. Why it is important for therapists to learn the job duties and physical requirements of the injured worker's job?A therapist who is familiar with the injured worker's jobsite can easily tailor the treatment goals to the worker's job requirements, increasing the chances of a faster return to full duty. In addition, with work-specific information available, the therapist is able to "predict" the worker's potential ability to perform his or her work responsibilities following rehabilitation. In addition, the therapist can establish whether there should be work restrictions or job modifications in place to prevent further injury. Finally, job-specific therapy helps the therapist better determine the worker's ability to safely return to work or perhaps to modified duty.2. What services do physical and occupational therapists offer to assist injured workers return to work? * Job analysis/ergonomic

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