Vocational rehabilitation is a program that is designed to get injured workers back into the workforce after an injury. Vocational rehabilitation providers can help injured workers in a number of different ways depending on the individual situation. For example, vocational rehab services may include:
- On-the-job training
- Career counseling
- Assistance with job searching
- Job coaching or placement
- Resume updating
- Retraining
- Educational resources for pursuing a new degree or skill
- Labor market surveying
But how does a provider know what type of vocational rehabilitation services would benefit a worker the most? That is determined by a Qualified Rehabilitation Consultant.
QRCs and Vocational Rehabilitation
A qualified rehabilitation consultant is the person who performs your initial rehabilitation evaluation. During this initial evaluation, the QRC will look for a number of factors, including whether the worker is able to perform their job duties, if the employer can provide suitable employment for the employee, and if vocational rehab would benefit the employee. If all three criteria are met, the QRC will begin developing a vocational rehab plan.
The rehabilitation plan will consist of two main items: The goal of vocational rehab for the employee, and the services the worker will receive. The employee, employer and insurance company will all receive a copy of the plan and may request changes if they have a valid reason.
Because vocational rehab is deemed a necessary aspect of your recovery, it comes at no cost to you. Your employer or the insurance company pays for the cost of vocational rehabilitation and any related costs. Some related costs may include mileage traveling for sessions, relocation fees or even daycare fees if you need child care during your rehab sessions. If you incur costs as a result of your rehab, talk to your lawyer, as they may be able to have the expense reimbursed.
The goal of vocational rehab is to make continued progress until you can return to your job or a similar position. Your QRC will set a target date for you to return to work, but that can be adjusted based on your progress. As long as you are attending sessions and working towards improving your abilities, your vocational rehab sessions should continue.
So if you’ve been injured at work and would like some assistance getting back into the workforce, ask you lawyer about your vocational rehabilitation options. At Hey Workers, we’ve connected hundreds of patients to highly-skilled QRCs who have helped them get back to where they want to be in their career. For more information or for assistance after a work injury, reach out to Hey Workers today.
