Return to Work Programs

Return to work programs allow individuals to return to work gradually and safely with physician consent. Individuals may return to full, modified or transitional duties. The Occupational Therapist assists in coordinating the return to work by designing the return to work plan and providing instruction and guidance for safe return to job duties.

The assessment involves:

The Occupational Therapist will create a gradual return to work program and seek agreement of the plan from the attending physician, physiotherapist, client, employer and other professionals as required. Once a consensus on the return to work plan has been obtained, the Occupational Therapist will implement the plan. Typically this is graduated over several weeks to allow for tolerances to build and may include ergonomic modifications to the workplace, modified duties, education for the process, job coaching and equipment recommendations. The occupational therapist will maintain client/employer contact throughout the program and will make revisions as necessary for a successful outcome.