1. Navigating the Return to Work Process Jennifer Featherston, PhD, LPC, CRC, CVE, EAGALA certified

2. Learning Objectives
Identify essential information needed to individualize a return to work plan
Select appropriate vocational evaluation tools
Learn how to incorporate job duties into rehab services
Identify common accommodation and modification options for returning to work
Brain Injury & Stroke

3. What is Pate? Post-acute treatment for acquired brain injury
3 treatment programs: Transitional living, Day neuro, Supported living
Length of time since injury
Length of stay
Brain Injury & Stroke

4. Therapy Services Offered
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Speech Therapy
Cognitive Therapy
Counseling
Vocational Counseling
Neuropsychological assessment
Biofeedback
Aquatic Therapy*
Animal therapy
Dog therapy
Equine Assisted Therapy (EAGALA)*
Driving Rehabilitation including on-the-road assessment and training
*location specific
Brain Injury & Stroke

5. Vocational Team Members
Speech Language Pathologist
Occupational Therapist
Physical Therapist
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Case Manager
Psychotherapist
Neuropsychologist
Physician
Brain Injury & Stroke

6. Considerations
Studies show that the following client factors impact probability of return to work:
Driving status
Severity of injury
Marital status
Ethnicity
Level of education
Kruetzer, JS, et al. (2003)
Brain Injury & Stroke

7. At admission Assess goals
Orientation to vocational services at Pate
Expectations of the patient
Expectations of the therapy staff
Vocational interview
Discuss goals for return to work and current barriers at admission
Increases patients motivation
Builds rapport
Brain Injury & Stroke

8. Brain Injury & Stroke

9. Vocational Activities Return to previous job
Sign releases so staff may speak with employer
Obtain job description
O*Net Online
“A day in the life”
Strengths that will promote employment success
Barriers to employment success
Understanding benefits and the impact RTW will have
Employer contact
Job site evaluation
Notify employer about need for assistive technology
Provide return to work order from the physician
Work samples
Physical or cognitive work trials
Disclosure
Transferable skills analysis
Brain Injury & Stroke

10. Vocational Activities New Job / Job Search
Vocational Interest Inventories (SDS, COPS)
Vocational Abilities Tests (CAPS, VALPARs)
Vocational Preference Survey (COPES)
Barriers to Employment Success Inventory
Job Search Knowledge Scale
Job Search Attitude Inventory
Networking
Mock interview/video
Identify computer use skill level
Work simulation tasks
Participate in additional training
Identify and trial assistive technology
Make weekly schedule with proposed work times
Review transportation needs and plans
Transferable skills analysis
Sign releases
Create a list of resources
Job search online
Update resume
Job Fairs
Brain Injury & Stroke

11. Work Simulation Ideas
Use written information relevant to their job for cognitive activities
Use tools from their job
Practice physical job requirements
Role-play work
Practice specific vocabulary or communication skills
**Use ONET or job description for ideas
Richard – draw blueprints of building, bring in blueprints, make changes and check for errors
Tools – Johnny – helicopter mechanic – tools, positions,
Teachers – Jarrett – walk/talk/write on chalkboard,
Stan – phone calls – speaking to strangers, thought organization, intelligibility
Brain Injury & Stroke

12. O*Net Online
Brain Injury & Stroke

13. Meaningful Activity Volunteering Returning to school
Additional training
Mentorships
Support groups
Brain Injury & Stroke

14. Reasonable accommodation defined
A modification or adjustment to a job, the work environment, or the way things usually are done that enables a qualified individual with a disability to enjoy an equal employment opportunity
Allows performance of essential job functions
Brain Injury & Stroke

15. Job Accommodation Network www.askjan.org
Brain Injury & Stroke

16. Driving
Members of the voc rehab team can also make recommendations for resuming driving
In Texas, DPS makes the final determination on resuming driving after a change in medical status
Medical barriers
Adaptations available
Brain Injury & Stroke

17. Driving cont.
Many brain injury patients benefit from behind the wheel training with a driving rehab specialist
If a client is unable to return to driving, rehab services can include training on accessing public or private transportation alternatives
Job site eval starting at their house and taking public transportation
Brain Injury & Stroke

18. Case Studies Zach Shoshanna Billy Richard Stanley Casey Karen
33 y/o sustained left MCA stroke
Admitted to Pate ~ 6 weeks post stroke into transitional program with a high level of care
Moved to ILS treatment team and moved back home (seizure set back)
Work simulation (grocery store, lifting, mechanics training, standing tolerance)
driving rehab
Part time schedule – with reduced deliveries for a few weeks
Brain Injury & Stroke

19. Jennifer Featherston jfeatherston@paterehab.com
Thank You!
Jennifer Featherston