 Rehabilitation AND Injury Management Services
Injury Prevention Services
Medicolegal Assessment Services
Rehabilitation Needs Assessment
This assessment is conducted either by our occupational therapist or physiotherapist. Relevant medical, rehabilitation history, clinical and functional indicators as well as work and home factors are evaluated. We liaise with the patients treating doctor and relevant others. Pertinent reports are perused. We then table the assessment findings at our clinical case conference each week to discuss how we (or another medical or rehabilitation provider) can best assist the patient / client realise their maximal functional recovery. Pragmatic recommendations are then made to the referrer, with specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely goals, with associated costs provided.
Workplace Evaluation
The assessment is conducted either by our occupational therapists, physiotherapists or clinical psychologist.
This assessment is a process to determine the inherent tasks and critical physical demands of a job. It involves discussion with key persons at the workplace and the observation and measurement of a range of job relevant factors (i.e. physical, cognitive and other organisational demands). A comprehensive worksite assessment is valuable to assist to match a worker’s functional capacity against a potential job. Practical strategies can then be instituted to assist a workers' transition back to work where there is an appropriate job match. The assessment can also serve to identify additional relevant issues that may impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of other workers.
Functional Capacity Evaluation
This assessment is valuable when assisting a person's job placement or return to work after a more serious injury or illness. The assessment is conducted either by our occupational or physiotherapists.
Our service conducts this assessment using a systematic process to determine a client’s capacity to perform a task (or range of tasks) in a work (or variety of work) setting(s). The controlled assessment is conducted with attention to a range of psychosocial (i.e. client’s self report), biomechanical and physiological as well as clinical and functional factors. The client’s capacity to work is then determined by assessing their assessed functional capacity against the specific inherent physical demand of a job or range of jobs. If necessary, practical proposals are provided to assist the client perform a job, in a more comfortable, safe, productive and sustainable basis.
Development of a Suitable Duties Program
Our service consults closely with the patient, their treating doctors, and employer representatives, to develop a plan to assist the patient, to gradually upgrade their work capabilities. A clear and pragmatic short, medium and longer term plan is agreed upon by relevant parties, prior to a suitable duties plan being developed. The suitable duties plan is then constructed in consideration of the stage of the patients recovery, their functional abilities and restrictions, the inherent physical demands of the job or range of jobs, and organisational requirements.
VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENT
Our service utilises an interview and researching process to evaluate a client’s suitability for work, in light of their education and training, work history, occupational abilities, interests, personality, aptitude, psychological state, and the availability of real jobs in the open labour market. Realistic vocational options are provided detailing short, medium and longer term occupational prospects. The assessment is conducted by our clinical psychologist.
Host Employment Placement
We have contacts with various persons in multiple industries. We are able to efficiently liaise and coordinate host or work experience placements, with a view to developing a suitable duties program, for injured patients / clients if necessary.
Resume preparation, job seeking, interview skills
This aspect of rehabilitation is generally outsourced to a job network provider.
Case Management
We employ a collaborative process of assessment, planning, facilitation, monitoring and evaluation, for options and services, to meet a client’s injury management needs. This is achieved through regular communication, to promote a client’s maximal recovery and work capacity, in an effective and efficient manner, through evidenced based and experience measures. Case management is provided either by our occupational, physiotherapists or clinical psychologist, depending on the specific client’s requirements.
HOME MODIFICATIONS ASSESSMENT
This is an in home assessment to evaluate a client’s capacity to perform their personal care or domestic requirements in a safe and independent manner. Specific attendant care, adaptive equipment and home modifications proposals are made, if indicated, to enhance a client’s safety, independence and quality of living. This is generally conducted by our occupational therapist.
DISABILITY ADJUSTMENT AND injury COUNSELLING
Our clinical psychologist uses a range of counselling techniques utilising a cognitive behavioural therapy and rational emotive therapy approach. Techniques provided could involve relaxation, anger, anxiety and depression management, assertiveness training and relevant pain education.
Physical Conditioning
Programs are individually designed in consideration of the client’s medical status, their stated goals and their physical capabilities and limitations. Sessions are prescribed in our clinic, in client’s homes, or at other appropriate community settings (i.e. pool, gym, park etc). Typical goals are to assist clients to improve their posture, flexibility, strength, endurance, balance and self confidence, to assist them to regain a more active lifestyle at home and work. This service is provided by our exercise physiologists and on occasions by our physiotherapists or occupational therapists.
Rehabilitation AND Return to Work Coordination
We assist employers to develop specific rehabilitation policies and procedures tailored to meet their organisational and business needs in compliance with Queensland Legislation and Q-Comp requirements. We also assist employers with rehabilitation and return to work coordination on a consultancy basis.
An employer with 30 or more workers at a workplace has an obligation under the Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation Act 2003 to have written policy and procedures for systems and processes for their workplace rehabilitation. The employer is also required to have a designated person with rehabilitation and return to work accreditation, within or contracted from outside of the organisation, to perform this function.
Speech Pathology
Our service provides specialist speech and pathology services for paediatric and adult clientele, including MAKATON, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), and Facilitated Communication. We deliver training to develop staff, family and advocate skills, to better support people, with communication and swallowing difficulties. The intervention is structured and incorporates holistic assessment, treatment, training, follow up, and documentation. Practical solutions are provided. Outcome based measures to promote health, independence and quality of life, with communication and swallowing are utilised. Where necessary, training and support is provided to equip support staff, families and advocates, to independently implement therapy programs. Intervention is provided in our clinic or community settings. Our speech pathologist has almost 10 years experience in the disability field.
Some indicators for referral are:
- Person that is unable to effectively communicate their daily living needs
- Person with challenging behaviours possibly from unmet communication
- Person with possible swallowing difficulties, who may present with chest infections, choking, unexplained weight loss, untidy eating and drinking, and challenging behaviour at meal times
- Support staff, families and advocates needing guidance with communication and swallowing issues, to support the health, independence and quality of life, for the person who has a disability.
Ergonomics Consultancy
We specialise in musculoskeletal injury prevention. This service is provided on a consultancy basis by our occupational therapist, physiotherapist or occupational health and safety officer. Our methodology is to collaboratively evaluate work tasks, environments and organisational factors, for the purpose of comparing existing demands to human capabilities. Techniques are used to identify existing and potential hazards, increase awareness leading to the prevention of workplace accidents and illnesses, eliminate or reduce the risk of injury to the worker, to improve productivity and efficiency, and ensure compliance with standards and regulations. Our process is aligned closely with the fundamentals described in the scientific literature. The process essentially involves:
- Risk identification - potential hazards are identified
in a consultative manner by:
- Reviewing the injury data
- Reviewing the processes and job activities
- Risk Assessment - potential hazards are assessed
in a consultative manner by:
- Observing the work processes, interviewing supervisors
and employees and taking relevant objective measurements
- Considering strength data, anthropometry, physiological
data, and psychophysical factors
- Evaluating the postures assumed during task (awkward postures)
the frequency of muscle activation (forceful exertions including
push, pull, lift, carry and lower), the duration of work and recovery
periods (rest breaks, machine paced, unfamiliar work), contact
stress, and the exposure to vibration and cold
- Rate the risk / hazard utilising a Risk Rating System adapted
from the OHS Risk Management Handbook
- Risk Control
- Recommendations are made in a consultative manner
to eliminate or reduce the risk / hazards. This may involve
engineering or administrative solutions in prioritising order
- An estimate of the risk rating is provided for each item,
utilising the Risk Rating System, for when the risk control
is implemented
- Risk controls are implemented
in a consultative manner by:
- Trialling the control method in a sample population
- Revising and modifying the control method as necessary
- Prioritising the control method and setting realistic time frames
- Training the employees as necessary
- Implementing the control method when all stakeholders
are satisfied that it works well
- Continuing the consultation with staff
- Monitoring and reviewing the effectiveness of the control
method on an ongoing basis
- Risk evaluation (after a specific period of time)
- Observe the work process, interview the supervisor
and employees, and taking measurements
- Consideration of the reduction in incidence rate
of musculoskeletal disorders
- Consideration of the reduction in the severity rate
of musculoskeletal disorders
- Consideration of the increase in productivity or the quality
of products and services
- Consideration of the reduction in job turnover or absenteeism
Manual Tasks AND Ergonomics Training
We provide a range of training programs to industry addressing musculoskeletal risk. Our training programs aim to improve the safety culture of organisations. Our vision is to assist organisations to adopt a more compliant and proactive safety culture that embraces safety as a “way of life”.
We have delivered training in various environments including:
- Hospital locations
- Disability settings in the community and institutions
- Office and clerical environments
- Factory and process work settings
- Transportation and warehouse storage sites
- Sales, service and exhibition locations
- Labouring venues
Medicolegal Assessment Services
- We provide specialist Occupational Therapy
and / or Psychology Assessments addressing:
- Functional Work Capacity
- Education, Training, Work Experience, Skills
and other Labour Market Factors
- Capacity to Work
- Occupational Outlook – Past and Future
- Care Needs – Past and Future
- Adaptive Equipment Needs
- Home Modifications Needs
- Rehabilitation Needs
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