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Common steps after your injury

Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation may involve a health care professional who will help you recover from or manage your physical and/or psychological injuries, or a workplace rehabilitation consultant who will help you return to work.

Many injured workers make a successful recovery and return to work without the need for rehabilitation, for example when the injury is not especially severe and the employer is able to make some adjustments for a period of time. In these examples, the case manager may decide that rehabilitation assistance is not needed.

If your case manager decides that using a workplace rehabilitation consultant is a good idea, they will talk to you about it (eg, if you are likely to have reduced capacity for longer than three months you must have a rehabilitation and return to work plan). Your case manager will take a close look at your capacity to work, the availability of modified or alternative duties at your workplace and your progress with any treatment you have already received. Any decisions about your treatment and rehabilitation will be made in consultation with you and your employer and documented in a rehabilitation and return to work plan.

Rehabilitation may involve working with:

  • a physiotherapist, chiropractor, psychologist or similar health provider
  • a medical specialist who is referred by your doctor
  • a workplace rehabilitation consultant who will help you get back to work
  • an occupational therapist who will help with your physical work requirements and decide what you can and can't do
  • a rehabilitation and return to work plan that documents what will happen and when.

You may find some of these phrases used:

  • Worksite assessment or job analysis - A visit by a physiotherapist or occupational therapist to assess your fitness for duties and the suitability of your workplace for a return to work, or to make recommendations for modifying the way tasks are undertaken or for providing aids or equipment
  • Functional capacity evaluation (FCE) - A test to assess which general physical activities you are capable of doing, or which activities within your normal working role you are capable of doing
  • Work simulation (or work hardening) - A return to a working environment that gradually increases your fitness for work; it can be with your existing employer or a different employer
  • Vocational assessment - A test that looks at what skills a job requires compared with what you are able to do, considering factors like aptitude, experience and qualifications

Did you know?

You will receive a copy of your rehabilitation plan and are legally bound to do what the plan says – you also must supply WorkCover Medical Certificates, get medical treatment and attend rehabilitation appointments and return to suitable duties when your doctor says you are fit to.

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