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WorkSafeBC

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Return to Work Support Services

Return to Work Support Services are designed for the injured worker who does not require a structured treatment program but would benefit from a supported return to work. Return to Work Support Services may be performed by a physiotherapist, an occupational therapist, or a kinesiologist experienced in the performance of return to work services and job-site visits. The goal of RTW SS is to return injured workers to their pre-injury duties at the work place.

Return to Work Support Services provides the following three components, each available as a stand alone service or in any combination:

  • Job site visit (JSV);
  • Graduated Return to Work (GRTW) Planning
  • Graduated Return to Work (GRTW) Monitoring
  • Job Demands Analysis (JDA)

Description of services
Admission criteria
Length of service
Service locations
Referral process
Bulletins
Inquiries

Description of services

Job Site Visit: The JSV may include any of the following:

  • Brief review of work tasks;
  • Confirmation of the worker's critical job demands;
  • Exploration of simple job modifications and return to work options;
  • Consultation with relevant stakeholders to establish an appropriate return to work plan; or
  • Ongoing support of the graduated return to work plan, including job coaching.

Graduated Return to Work Plan: The GRTW Plan is developed with the participation of the injured worker, the employer, the attending physician, the WorkSafeBC officer and other relevant stakeholders. It will contain specific hours, duties and a defined end date.

Graduated Return to Work Monitoring service ensures that a Graduated Return to Work Plan is fully implemented with appropriate support provided as needed. Graduated Return to Work Monitoring provides a minimum of weekly communication with all of the relevant stakeholders and revision of the Graduated Return to Work Plan if warranted.

Job Demand Analysis is a detailed quantitative and qualitative assessment of the physical demands, environmental and psychosocial stressors associated with a particular job. The JDA will provide quantification of work-place demands including frequency of activities, weights, heights and distances.

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Admission criteria

The program is designed for workers who do not require a structured treatment program but require supported return to work. It is possible that the worker could be receiving physiotherapy or hand therapy in conjunction with Return to Work Services.

The program is not appropriate for workers participating in a WorkSafeBC-sponsored rehabilitation program (excluding the Hand Therapy Program).

Length of service

GRTW plans are generally four to six weeks in duration.

Service locations

Return to Work Support Services are provided by WorkSafeBC-approved providers throughout B.C.

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Referral process

Workers are referred for Return to Work Support Services by a WorkSafeBC officer, usually following recommendations received from various health care providers.

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Inquiries

Please call Health Care Services at 604 232-7787 or toll-free at 1 866 244-6404. Or visit the Return to Work Support Services contact details page for further information.