Roles & responsibilities

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Operational standards for rehabilitation program providers

To ensure the safe and durable return to work of an employee following an injury, the following people play a key role:

Show your commitment to effectively implementing your agency’s rehabilitation policy.
Develop a workplace culture that prevents injury and supports injured employees.
Ensure your case managers receive organisational support to fulfil their role and succeed with early intervention.
Keep informed of your agency’s return to work performance, access performance reports that will track your organisation’s claim costs/return
to work outcomes and pinpoint problems.
Review and improve the effectiveness of your agency return to work strategies.

Foster a supportive workplace which encourages safe work practices and early reporting of injuries.
Advise the case manager as soon as you become aware of an injury.
Ensure steps are taken to prevent further injury by understanding the cause of injury and putting in place safeguards.
Keep in close contact with the injured employee – be supportive and identify the assistance available to enable a return to work – the case manager will coordinate this process.
Work with the case manager to identify suitable duties and provide ongoing support.
Consider changing the way work is done or modifying the work environment.
Be involved and contribute to the development of the return to work plan for the injured employee and promptly let the case manager know if you, the injured employee or co-workers have any concerns along the way.
After the injured employee has returned to work, work with them to ensure this outcome is sustained.

Find out about your agency’s rehabilitation policy.
Ensure you let your supervisor or case manager know if you are going to be away from work for an extended period due to a work related injury.
You may need to undergo an assessment for rehabilitation.
Talk to your case manager about your obligations and rights regarding rehabilitation.
Actively participate in the return to work program.
Talk to your case manager or rehabilitation provider if you have any concerns about your return to work plan.

Let staff know your role and how to contact you.
Initiate, co-ordinate and monitor the rehabilitation process in consultation with all parties.
Decide if an assessment for a return to work program is required, particularly when an employee is likely to be away from work for more than 10 days (s36 of SRC Act).
Organise a return to work program if necessary - you may need to contract an approved rehabilitation provider to develop the return to workplan (s37)
Actively manage the approved rehabilitation provider to ensure a quality and cost effective program.
Put any decisions you make about a rehabilitation assessment or return to work plan in writing to the employee.
Actively manage the rehabilitation program to ensure a successful return to work.
Work with the supervisor and approved rehabilitation provider to make sure the injured employee is given suitable employment (s40).
Make sure your agency complies with the rehabilitation guidelines issued by Comcare, please refer to:
Rehabilitation guidelines for employers (s41)

Provide expert, objective advice to the case manager to assist the timely, safe and durable return to work of an injured employee.
Provide a prompt response to referrals and other requests.
Engage the injured employee, treating doctor and supervisor in the development and implementation of a tailored return to work plan.
Actively monitor the return to work plan and communicate regularly with all parties to ensure the goals are achieved.
Ensure you comply with Comcare’s criteria and standards for approved rehabilitation providers, please refer to:
Operational standards for rehabilitation program providers

Provide treatment for an injured employee and be relied upon to provide accurate medical assessments of their capability to return to work.
Provide advice on alternative duties or modifications to the workplace.
Make sure the case manager or approved rehabilitation provider are informed of the injured employee's abilities in order that tailored duties can be organised within the injured employee's capacity.
Monitor and support the progress of the return to work effort.
Be available and accessible for case conferences or workplace visits.

The Claims Manager is the Determining Authority for the injured employee.

Make accurate and timely decisions on compensation claims.
Effectively manage the injured employee's claim, including making benefit payments and liaising with the employee and their doctor, the employer and the case manager.

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