Workplace Responsibility
> Return-to-work coordinator
> Creating a RTW file
> Accredited rehabilitation providers
> Templates & References
Return-to-work (RTW) coordinator
If you pay more than $50,000 per year in workers compensation premium you must have a RTW coordinator.
The RTW coordinator is a nominated employee or contractor, who is accessible to an injured worker and ensures that your RTW Program is followed. The main roles of an RTW coordinator are:
- coordination of all activities that return an injured worker safely and quickly to work, especially organising suitable duties;
- communication with the injured worker, the workplace, the insurer, the treating doctor and other health professionals, the union and rehabilitation providers;
- confidential recording of activities in a RTW file.
As a minimum legal requirement, the RTW coordinator must have attended the WorkCover accredited 2 day course "Introduction to RTW Coordination".
Train a back-up RTW coordinator to ensure cover when the RTW coordinator is on leave.
Creating a RTW file
The contents of a RTW file should include:
- Names and contact details of all involved parties, e.g., doctor, physiotherapist, rehabilitation provider;
- Notification forms - insurer and WorkCover;
- Information consent form;
- Letters to nominated treating doctor;
- Workers compensation forms;
- WorkCover Medical Certificates as received;
- Medical reports from injured worker's nominated treating doctor;
- Copy of the injury management plan;
- Copy of the RTW plan(s);
- Progressive case-notes;
- Copies of all correspondence.
The RTW file is to be kept separately from the worker's personnel file and confidentiality is to be maintained. The file should be officially 'closed' once the worker has successfully achieved their RTW goal (hopefully back to pre-injury duties). Once closed, ensure that the file is stored confidentially and securely.
Accredited rehabilitation providers
WorkCover accredited rehabilitation providers are health professionals who provide specialised assistance to employers to assist injured workers to return to work. They are made up of multidisciplinary teams of health professionals. Their fees are part of the cost of the workers compensation claim and they are generally paid by the insurer.
Providers are often engaged by organisations that do not have a RTW coordinator or to help in more complex cases, such as:
- to ensure that injured workers can safely perform the requirements of their work duties;
- to assist where there are industrial relations or human resource issues;
- to arrange appropriate retraining and alternative employment when the worker is unable to return to his/her pre-injury job.
You must indicate, as part of your RTW Program, at least one preferred provider and assist them to develop expert knowledge of your workplace, the return to work procedures and the available suitable duties. The selection of preferred providers should take place following consultation between the management and workers.
Providers will assess the injured worker and provide a rehabilitation plan listing the services needed to return the injured worker to work. Remember to keep control - providers are there to help your RTW coordinator when the going gets tough or the coordinator does not have enough time or skills to devote to a particular case. The provider must always report to the coordinator and discuss any recommended plan of action.
Templates & References
WorkCover NSW Guidelines for Workplace Return to Work Programs
Confidentiality of injury management information
Employers Guide: What to do if an Injury Occurs