A return to work coordinator is an employee nominated by an employer (or a contractor engaged 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 the policy and procedures in an employers return to work program are followed.
Under workers compensation law, category 1 employers (ie employers whose basic tariff premium exceeds $50 000 annually as well as self insurers, and employers who are insured by a specialised insurer and employ more than 20 workers) must have a return to work coordinator.
The skills and responsibilities of a return to work coordinator include:
- developing and implementing a return to work program, educating the workforce, keeping injury and return to work statistics and developing policies and strategies to improve systems
- providing information to injured workers on benefits and the return to work process, as well as the Workplace Injury Management and Workers Compensation Act 1998 and the Workers Compensation Act 1987
- determining an injured workers needs by discussion with the worker, their nominated treating doctor and other treating practitioners
- identifying suitable duties consistent with section 43A of the Workers Compensation Act 1987 and developing and implementing a return to work plan
- working with the insurer to develop an injury management plan for the injured worker
- being the main point of contact for the injured worker
- coordinating and monitoring the workers progress in treatment, rehabilitation services and return to work plans
- excellent written and verbal communications skills, including negotiation and listening skills
- decision making skills
- case and caseload management
- organisational and time management skills.
A complete list of the responsibilities of the return to work coordinator is outlined in WorkCover's Guidelines for workplace return to work programs.
Training requirements
The return to work coordinator must hold a:
- certificate certifying attendance at the WorkCover two-day course Introduction to return to work coordination or
- certificate certifying attendance at a two-day WorkCover training course for rehabilitation coordinators conducted prior to February 1995 or
- letter from Provider Services Branch agreeing to exempt the return to work coordinator from participating in above training.
Exemptions from the training requirements can be requested.
Call 13 10 50 for more information.