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The pivotal role of

accredited rehabilitation

counsellors in facilitating

successful return to work

Michael Iacovino

National President1

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Aims of presentation

1. Brief history of ASORC

2. ASORC’s accreditation process

3. Advantages of using accredited members in rtw

4. Challenges of the impact of non-compensational injuries on RTW

5. The importance of communication and collaboration between key stakeholders and ways this can be improved

6. The role of RCs in liaison with the Medical profession

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Who is ASORC ?• Not-for- profit organisation governed by

a Council of up to 16 volunteer Councillors

• Promoting research & collaboration with academia and industry

• In 2013 memberships exceeded 1000 members. NSW has the largest member representation and SA the second largest

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Who is ASORC ?

• ASORC has provided a long standing and respected voice for the RC profession for over 30 years(est.1976)

• ASORC is committed to promoting research in occupational rehabilitation and supporting evidence based return to work outcomes

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Who is ASORC ?

• ASORC promotes the occupational rehabilitation perspective on key workplace health, safety and environmental issues to governments, industry, employer and employee organisations and other bodies

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Who is ASORC ?

ASORC provides professional and industry support resources to its accredited members.This includes -

• PDs, bi-annual National conference, regular updates on academic and industry developments,

• Industry representation

• ASORC Journal published by Cambridge University Press is the cornerstone of the latest research in related areas

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Our mission

To set standards and competencies and to expand and promote the profession of rehabilitation counselling.

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Collaborations &Partnerships

• Industry Reference Group

• Academic Reference Group

• PIEF – Personal Injury Education Foundation

• Submissions and process reviews with state WorkCover regulators

• ComCare collaboration to refine the current vocational assessment process

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Collaborations & Partnerships

• NSW Government - CTP Reform

• MAA - Review of guides and processes for service provision in the NSW CTP Scheme

• SA Government - MAC CTP Reform

• Career Industry Council of Australia

• IFDM

• Department of Veteran Affairs

• Pain Australia

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Our members

To be eligible for membership RCs must provide evidence that they meet ASORC Core Competencies in 13 broad areas.

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ASORC core competencies

The 15 Core competencies are presented in two categories-

a. Underpinning Core Competencies

b. Rehabilitation Counselling or Work Specific Competencies

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Underpinning corecompetencies

• Psychosocial Foundations of Behavior

• Rehabilitation Theory and Philosophy

• Knowledge of Disability and Disadvantage

• Case and Caseload Management

• Legal and Policy Aspects of Disability, Disadvantage and Rehabilitation

• Community Liaison and Consultation

• Research and Evaluation

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Rehabilitation counselling and work environment specific competencies

• Rehabilitation Counselling Professional Attitudes and Behavior

• Vocational Assessment

• Vocational Counselling

• Vocational Training and Job Placement

• Counselling and Interpersonal Skills

• Independent Living and Avocational Counselling and Placement

• Injury Prevention, Injury Management and Disability Management

• Life Care Planning

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ASORC accredited rehabilitation counselling courses

• University of Sydney

• Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Counselling

• Master of Rehabilitation Counselling

• La Trobe University

• Postgraduate Diploma in Rehabilitation

• Master of Health Sciences (RC)

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ASORC Accredited Rehab Counselling Courses

Currently undergoing accreditation review

• University of Tasmania

• Griffith University

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ASORC membership categories

• Full member

• Associate Member

• Affiliate Member

• Student Member

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What can ASORC full members offer?

• RCs who are professional, ethical &outcome-focused

• Rehabilitation counsellors with a commitment to keeping up to date with changes and new trends in the rtw industry. (Continuing membership now relies on attendance at PD events)

• Rehabilitation counsellors who recognise the need to engage with all stakeholders to achieve durable RTW

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Collaboration & Co-ordinationin RTW

Essential core RC skill of case management

RCs understand medical terminology and RTW hierarchy and legislation.

• Identify stakeholders

• Review barriers to RTW and discuss with referrer and relevant stakeholders

• Set realistic RTW expectations – develop RTW plan

• Monitor RTW plan and close when RTW is completed

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Collaboration & Co-ordinationin RTW with medical professionals

• Non supportive Treating Medical doctors are very disruptive to the RTW process

• RC’s have training and experience in negotiation and explaining legislative requirements to NTD’s

• Despite this, getting NTD’s “onside” is still often an issue

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Collaboration & Co-ordinationin RTW with medical professionals

Solutions

There is no easy solution. If there was we would not be talking about it. However…

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Collaboration & Co-ordination

in RTW with medical professionals

• RCs are in a very good position to identify any problems early and inform referrers so a collaborative plan can be developed to minimize the impact

• Further education and training to GP’s is recommended

• ASORC recognizes the delay this causes in RTW would be available to work in partnership with WorkCoverauthorities’ via local PD sessions to develop a consistent approach in dealing with difficult doctors

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Early Intervention: Non - Compensation cases

Rehabilitation counselling is a holistic non-medical approach to facilitating a safe and durable RTW and the RC will consider both compensation and non-compensation factors that are likely to impact on a RTW.

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Early Intervention: Non - Compensation cases

The Rehabilitation Counsellor is very focused on

1.Education of injured workers, employers and NTDs of the benefits of rehabilitation/recovery at work

2.Re-injury prevention and “staying well” at work

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Early Intervention: Non - Compensation cases

Benefits of identifying health issues early for employers

• Assists employers manage OH&S risk

• Identifies any psychological injury risks that are commonly unreported until a worker is on sick leave

• May lead to early treatment and prevent a potential workers compensation claim

• Reduction in staff absenteeism and absenteeism is an increasing cost of business and results in lower productivity

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Early Intervention: Non - Compensation cases

The rehabilitation counsellor during the RTW process for a compensable worker will often identify barriers and factors that are likely to impact on the RTW that are outside the legislation.

What should they do?

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Early Intervention: Non - Compensation cases

• Collaboration with referrers and local workers compensation authorities is essential to clarify what funding may be made available

• If the RC can justify the cost/benefit of assisting/funding appropriate services this should be presented to the referrer

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Early Intervention: Non - Compensation cases

• If the services required are outside the funding legislation the RC should explore alternative funding sources to assist the worker and the time for doing this should not be charged to the insurer

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Early Intervention: Non - Compensation cases

Summary

• Early intervention is critical in maintaining workers at work or reducing absenteeism in both compensable and non-compensable cases

• ASORC and the Academic Reference Group are currently developing research to provide the cost / benefits of staying and returning to work

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Early Intervention: Non - Compensation casesSummary

•Often RCs feel that they are involved too late in the process to undertake early intervention. The earlier a referral is made by employer or insurer the less time the worker is likely to be absent

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In Closing…..

ASORC-accredited RCs are:

Highly skilled professionals who have proven skills and competencies in stakeholder engagement, communication, collaboration and co-ordination, and problem-solving in assisting durable RTW outcomes

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ASORC-accredited RCs work across Australia in diverse WorkCover jurisdictions each with their own specific challenges, requirements and processes.

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Thank you

Further Information and Contacts

Office Number: 1800 643 155

Website: www.asorc.org.au

Michael Iacovino 0408 121 440

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