Occupational rehabilitation is an integral part of the workers’ compensation process when employees miss time due to injuries. When employees suffer a significant injury, workers’ compensation insurance covers their medical expenses and lost wages. However, things can go back. The injury could end up worse than imaginable. That’s where occupational rehabilitation comes in.
In this article, we’ll talk about what occupational rehabilitation exactly is and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the process, including eligibility requirements, the available services, and more.
What Is Occupational Rehabilitation?
Occupational rehabilitation, more commonly known as vocational rehabilitation or VR, is a process that helps individuals with functional, developmental, psychological, cognitive, or emotional disabilities overcome barriers to employment.
The program prioritizes those with the most severe disabilities in communication, work tolerance, mobility, and work skills, helping them become self-sufficient and achieve their full potential despite their injuries or disabilities.
What Are the Provided Services?
Vocational rehabilitation may include interest and aptitude testing and functional and work capacity evaluations to assist in their return to work. Likewise, it also includes collaboration with a vocational rehabilitation counselor to create a personalized return-to-work plan. It also helps people develop a professional resume highlighting their work history and transferable skills. Furthermore, it gives them communication access services (oral transliterators, ASL interpreters, Communication Access Real-time Translation). It also gives them communication with previous or current employers to explore alternative work options that align with medical restrictions. Then, it provides additional vocational services, such as job development, job redesign, or placement with a new employer. Additional vocational services include job development, job redesign, or placement with a new employer. Additionally, it gives them limited training to enhance their skills.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements?
Individuals must contact their state’s rehabilitation commission to participate in the VR program to determine eligibility. The eligibility requirements may vary by state, but generally, there are criteria to meet.
The person must be a current recipient of workers’ comp benefits or eligible for benefits due to a work-related disability. Additionally, the individual must have a permanent physical or mental disability that prevents them from obtaining and securing employment. The person must have the chance to benefit from vocational rehabilitation services to achieve employment goals. Also, appropriate return-to-work opportunities are available in the individual’s commuting area.
Once eligible, they will work with an occupational rehab counselor to develop an individualized plan for employment (IPE), which outlines the support they will receive.
Do the Eligible Individuals Choose Their Own Employment Goals During Vocational Rehabilitation?
Eligible participants will work closely with their counselor throughout the vocational rehabilitation process to identify realistic career goals based on their skills, abilities, interests, and medical restrictions. Together, they explore opportunities in the local labor market and identify jobs suitable for the individual. Although the counselor provides guidance and support throughout the process, the individual ultimately has the final say.
About Insure My Work Comp
Insure My Work Comp provides you with workers’ compensation insurance quotes from top-rated insurance companies. They also help small business owners with a quick and easy way to find affordable workers’ compensation coverage. With Insure My Work Comp, you also get group disability insurance along with your employee benefit package.