Return to Work
How can
Return to Work benefit me?
Return to Work (RTW) is a specialty group within Meriter's Therapy
department. RTW is comprised of physical therapists, occupational therapists,
and physical therapist assistants, who can help you through the continuum of
care required after a work-related injury. We specialize in getting to know you
and your job, so we can tailor your rehab and return you to work as quickly as
possible. We have work simulation equipment that measures what you can safely
do to return to work with restrictions while we continue to rehab you until you
can get back to work with full function.
Our therapists are specialized in various orthopedic
injuries such as hand injuries, fractures, sprains, and strains. As well as
neurological injuries such as concussions. Whether you are an office worker who
slipped in the parking lot and sprained your ankle, or you are a firefighter
who injured your back pulling a fire hose, we have the techniques, equipment,
and expertise to get you back to work.
How are
work-related injuries different from non-work related injures?
If you are injured on the job you are covered by workers
compensation1. Workers compensation provides a few unique
rehabilitation options to get you back to work, faster.
- Work Hardening/Work Conditioning - This is a specialty service that is
billable to workers compensation. Work Hardening/Conditioning comes toward the
end of your rehab when you are almost ready to return to work. Typically,
during the course or recovering from your injury, the rest of your body can
become deconditioned. Work Hardening/Conditioning can help get your whole body
ready to return to work to reduce the chance of re-injury or new injury.
- Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE) - In the event that you are not able to fully
return to work, a Functional Capacity Evaluation can provide you with comprehensive
and long-term work restrictions to provide you with a safe context to return to
work. FCEs are billable to workers compensation, and occasionally to law firms,
liability insurance, and the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation
I am scheduled for an FCE. What can I expect?
An FCE is a comprehensive
functional examination of your abilities. The goal is to be able to determine
what you can safely and sustainably do should you return to work. The therapist
will take a detailed and thorough history of your injury from onset until
present. The therapist will examine your strength, flexibility, endurance,
functional abilities, and tolerance to various activity. The exam can last up
to four hours in length and we recommend you come prepared in exercise
clothing.
I was not
injured on the job, but my injury is preventing me from working. Can RTW help
me?
Yes! It is common for an injury
that occurs outside of work to affect your ability to perform your job. For
example, you injure your back while shoveling snow and now you are unable to
stand all day at your job as a line-cook. While you are not covered by workers
compensation in this case, we are still able to provide a Work Restriction Evaluation. A
Work Restriction Evaluation is a billable service to your private insurance
that comprises of a typical physical or occupational therapy evaluation in
addition to work simulation testing. This information will be able to provide
your physician with information to determine appropriate short-term work
restrictions. This also serves as the beginning of a course of physical or
occupational therapy should therapy be deemed appropriate.