CBI Health Group Alberta Vocational Services Overview

2 Objectives  To provide an overview of phases and services carried out by vocational counselors  To explain the rationale behind why certain clients have access to vocational services  To discuss how we (can) help you  To discuss how you (can) help us

3 Vocational Services Phases PhaseServices Associated with these Phases AssessmentReturn to Work Skills Profile (RWSP) PlanningReturn To Work Planning (RTWP) - Job Search Skills Development (JSSD) - Resume ImplementationSupported Job Search (SJS) Note: It’s ambiguous to say that a client is approved for “vocational services”. If you hear this, don’t assume that all three phases have been approved. Each phase has requirements distinct from one another.

4 Assessment Phase  The Return to Work Skills Profile (RWSP) identifies the client’s:  educational background  work experience  technical certifications  transferable skills  hobbies & interests  vocational goals  computer competencies  language proficiencies  …and more!

5 Assessment Phase  At the Assessment Phase, many clients coming in for assessments (MSE, FCE, RTWPM) also undergo a Return to Work Skills Profile, others don’t. Question: Can anyone tell me the only circumstances where clients coming in for Combined Assessments should not have a RWSP?

6 Assessment Phase Answer: Only if… 1.the client is still working regular duties (however, a RWSP could be used to assist in identifying alternative skills for future modified duty options) AND 2.the client has received this service within the last six months

7 Assessment Phase Usefulness of RWSP for identifying potential modified duties So, even if clients are almost certainly not going to have permanent work restrictions, they should still have a RTWSP because it will identify skills that may be useful for the employer when matching the injured employee with the modified duties available.

8 Assessment Phase Who qualifies for further vocational services after the RWSP?  The possibility of further vocational services after the RWSP is based on anticipated work restrictions, modified duty availability and job attachment. Vocational Services can be recommended and approved if: Work restrictions anticipated, yet modified duties unavailable OR only available short-term The client is no longer job attached

9 Planning Phase The Planning Phase may consist of the following 3 services: 1.Resume Building Helping clients build new resumes or tweak existing ones 2.Job Search Skills Development (JSSD) Coaching clients on skills relating to a job search (where to find job postings, how to apply, how to present yourself, etc.) 3.Return To Work Planning (RTWP) Identifying at least 2 alternate job options These services are often approved together as a group.

10 Planning Phase What types of areas are considered when exploring job options with a client?  Client’s vocational interests  Transferable skills  Functional abilities  Potential salary  Labour market trends

11 Planning Phase Why is the worker’s potential salary a serious consideration? For clients with extended work restrictions and no modified duties available, WCB is responsible for paying the client the difference between what alternate job options pay (according to labour market trends) and what the pre-accident job did pay until age 65. For this reason, WCB emphasizes the importance of maximizing the worker’s salary.

12 Planning Phase What happens at the end of the Planning Phase?  Just because a client has been approved for RTWP does not automatically mean that the client is approved for a Supported Job Search. The following conditions influence the possibility of further vocational services: Further voc services required Client anticipated being discharged from RTW Program with work restrictions AND employer has no modified duties No further voc services Client anticipated being discharged with work restrictions BUT employer has modified duties Client anticipated being discharged with no work restrictions and is returning to his/her pre-accident job

13 Implementation Phase So, let’s assume our client is now finished a RTW Program and has work restrictions that can’t be accommodated by the pre-accident employer: voila…up to 12-week Supported Job Search begins!

14 Implementation Phase What happens during the Supported Job Search? We meet with the client to go through jobs the client has applied for, and new leads that we have found. We use the Internet and newspapers to look for jobs posted, and we also look within the network of employer contacts we have made.

15 Implementation Phase What is a TOJ? A “Training on the Job” (TOJ) is an offer by WCB to an employer considering hiring a WCB client. Although it varies, it generally specifies that WCB will pay 100% of the worker’s salary for the first month, 50% for the second month, and finally 25% for the third month. It is a way of enticing possible employers with an incentive as a result of hiring the injured worker.

16 Vocational Services Flowchart

17 How We (Can) Help You

18 How The Vocational Team Can Help The Treatment Team Knowledge of the client  The information in a RWSP can help you get to know the client. It provides background information on hobbies and interests that may allow you to relate better to them as a person, helping you achieve the kinds of outcomes you’re looking for. Raises awareness of barriers  The psychosocial barriers identified in a RWSP are useful flags you’ll want to be aware of when working with a client during the RTW Program.

19 How We (Can) Help You Skills useful when considering modified duties  The transferable skills identified in a RWSP will be useful for the RTWPM and later follow-up conversations with the employer where you explore what modified duties are available and what the injured employee can provide. Client off WCB benefits at follow-up  If our clients secure new employment early in the Supported Job Search, they may be off WCB benefits when you follow-up with them in the future, helping you achieve a desired outcome on your scorecard.

20 How You (Can) Help Us

21 How You (Can) Help Us Reducing client anxiety regarding RWSPs  Clients are often very anxious about what is going to happen in a RWSP. Whether you are the intake coordinator, front desk staff, or FCE evaluator, be careful the way you introduce the RWSP. Explain that it’s about helping us to have a better sense of the person’s transferable skills and interests. If they seem defensive, assure them that it’s not about being forced to look for alternate jobs. Assure them that most clients undergo them, and it’s nothing to be worried about. Keep in mind whether your Program clients need a RWSP  Some clients are in a RTW Program, and have not had a RWSP. Unless the client is still working regular duties and there are not anticipated to be any work restrictions afterwards, you should ask the claim owner for approval for a RWSP. They may say no, and provide a satisfactory reason, but you should still find out why.

22 How You Can Help Us Keeping in communication with us  Another way you can help us is by keeping in communication with your vocational counsellor while your clients are in a RTW program, letting us know if something changes. Question: For those clients who are already in a RTW program, as a result of what types of change in circumstances should you recommend a RWSP for clients who have not yet had one?

23 How You (Can) Help Us Answers:  The client is not achieving the functional progress that was earlier anticipated and may not be able to return to pre-accident job duties ( The current emphasis on early intervention, is that we try and identify this within five days of the start of the program) OR  The client’s job situation changes (i.e. no longer modified duties, job has been terminated, etc.)

24 How You (Can) Help Us Sharing employer contact information  RTW therapists are in constant communication with the employers of injured workers during worksite visits and phone calls.  During the worksite visit, ask the employer for an extra business card, and then write down what jobs they traditionally hire for, the qualifications needed, functional requirements, experience/education needed.  We can then build a database full of these employers and their jobs, which can serve as excellent leads when our clients job search.  These employers already have a relationship of trust with CBI, which gives our job search clients an advantage.

25 Vocational Services Overview