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A return to work coordinator is an employee nominated by an employer (or a contractor engaged specifically for the role), whose principal purpose is to assist injured workers to return to work in a safe and durable manner. The return to work coordinator ensures that the policy and procedures in an employer’s return to work program are followed.
Under workers compensation law, Category 1 employers (ie. employers whose basic tariff premium exceeds $50,000, as well as self insurers, and employers who are insured by a specialised insurer and who employ more than 20 workers) must have a return to work coordinator.
Responsibilities
The responsibilities of return to work coordinators are outlined in WorkCover’s Guidelines for Employer’s Return to Work Programs. Additional duties will reflect the specific needs of a workplace and its workers, and should also be outlined in the employer’s return to work program. Responsibilities may include:
- developing and implementing the return to work program, educating the workforce, keeping injury and return to work statistics, and developing policies to improve systems
- providing information on the return to work process and workers compensation benefits to injured workers
- determining an individual injured worker’s needs by discussion with the worker, the nominated treating doctor and other treating practitioners
- working with the insurer to develop an injury management plan for the injured worker
- identifying appropriate suitable duties and assisting the injured worker to return to work as soon as possible
- preparing a return to work plan to document suitable duties and work restrictions so that all parties are informed
- managing the return to work process
- being the focal point for contact relating to the injured worker
- coordinating and monitoring progress in treatment, rehabilitation services and return to work plans
- maintaining confidential case records.
Engaged return to work coordinators
Engaging a return to work coordinator can include a shared arrangement between two or more employers. When Category 1 employers engage a return to work coordinator either solely for their business or under shared arrangements, it is essential that:
- workers are not disadvantaged
- the return to work coordinator has appropriate qualifications and experience
- WorkCover approval is obtained
- the return to work program is reviewed every two years
- the engaged arrangements provide improvements in the return to work services
- under a shared arrangement the employers have a common interest.
There is no requirement for Category 2 employers to appoint a return to work coordinator, however, employer associations and unions may establish shared return to work coordinator positions to assist smaller employers to fulfil their obligations.
Training and skills for return to work coordinators
Category 1 employers must employ or engage a trained return to work coordinator.
The return to work coordinator must hold:
- a WorkCover certificate certifying attendance at a WorkCover two-day course ‘Introduction to return to work coordination’
or
- a WorkCover certificate certifying attendance at a two-day WorkCover training course for rehabilitation coordinators that was conducted prior to February 1995
or
- a letter from WorkCover’s Provider Services Branch agreeing to exempt the return to work coordinator from the requirement to participate in WorkCover training. Applications for exemption can be accessed below under "further information".
Return to work coordinators require the following skills:
- ability to develop a return to work program consistent with workplace requirements
- ability to implement policy and procedures of the return to work program and facilitate the training of staff
- excellent written and verbal skills, including negotiation and listening skills
- ability to implement and explain the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 and the Workers Compensation Act 1987
- ability to identify suitable duties, consistent with section 43A of the Workers Compensation Act 1987
- ability to develop and implement a return to work plan
- decision making skills
- ability to disseminate information to all relevant parties
- case and caseload management skills
- organisational and time management skills
- ability to assess when rehabilitation provider services are required.
Advanced return to work coordination
Advanced return to work coordination is a one-day WorkCover workshop for experienced return to work coordinators. This is an interactive course with a focus on strategic case management and managing complex cases.
Interstate modules
As part of the current Harmonisation initiative that is aimed at making systems better and easier for employers and workers, particularly those working in multiple states, it was identified that there was a need for a system providing mutual recognition of return to work coordinators across the various state borders. Subsequently New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland have worked together to develop an "add on" return to work coordinator training module to each State's existing programs to assist trained return to work coordinators from one state to understand the legislative and operational requirements in other states.
The purpose of this training is to enable trained return to work coordinators to gain recognition and training, which will allow them to develop and conduct return to work programs for employers operating across multiple jurisdictions.
The target audience of this training are trained return to work coordinators who may be or currently are required to work in cross-border situations.
For further information regarding the above training modules, contact Provider Services Branch on 1800 801 905.
Trainers
Trainers of return to work coordinators can be accessed below under "further information" by name and region. This facility specifies whether a trainer is registered to deliver both levels of training or just the introductory course.
Trainers will often operate in many or all regions of NSW. For information about availability of trainer services in a particular region, please contact the trainer direct.
Applications for registration as a trainer can be made to WorkCover's Provider Services Branch. Application forms for the Introductory and Advanced courses are available below under "further information".
Contact Details
WorkCover NSW
Provider Services Branch
1800 801 905
provider.services@workcover.nsw.gov.au
Resources
Return to work coordinators interest groups meet regularly in specific regions to provide support and information to return to work coordinators. These groups are listed below under "further information".
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