Vocational Case Management
When a worker is injured on the job, the early intervention of vocational services can prove to be an invaluable asset in either returning a claimant to an appropriate modified duty position with the pre-injury employer, or by assisting the injured worker in locating and securing suitable future long-term employment.
Upon referral for vocational case management services, each file is thoroughly reviewed by our Director of Case Management, and a follow up consultation provided to the referring agency. Our case managers then meet with the injured worker, and, when appropriate, their legal representative, to obtain a vocational assessment, including an initial interview, vocational aptitude and interest testing, and a transferrable skills analysis. This information is utilized to develop a formal return-to-work plan. We then work with the injured worker to execute this plan and successfully return to the workforce.
Traditionally thought of only when a claimant has reached maximum medical improvement and issued permanent physical restrictions, oftentimes vocational case management services are appropriate for a claimant in the mid to late term recovery stages from their injury. For many, the introduction of short- or long-term retraining, such as obtaining a GED or Microsoft Office certifications, can assist in returning to current employers in appropriate modified duty positions, or, better prepare them to seek new employment when beginning the new job placement process.
File review
Our Director of Case Management reviews every referral, then follows up with a consultation for the referring agency.
Vocational assessment
An initial interview, aptitude and interest testing, and a transferrable skills analysis — with legal representation present where appropriate.
Return-to-work plan
Assessment findings become a formal, written plan targeting modified duty or suitable long-term employment.
Placement
We work the plan alongside the injured worker until they are back in the workforce.
Field Vocational Case Management Services
VocMed field vocational case management services always include a one on one weekly meeting with the injured worker in a safe, public location, allowing us to jointly and directly research, network, and apply/enroll with local employers, employment agencies, and training opportunities in the injured workers' immediate geographical area.
In person field vocational services are an especially effective tool in returning injured workers to both modified duty jobs with their pre-injury employer, as well as new jobs with new employers. For more information on our field vocational services, please contact us and a member of our executive team will return your inquiry to directly discuss how we can best serve your needs.
Telephonic Vocational Services
For claimants who live in underserved communities, telephonic vocational services may be the most cost-effective and appropriate way for VocMed vocational case managers to provide job placement assistance. In these instances, a VocMed vocational counselor will provide job coaching and vocational counseling weekly, via telephone, as well as conduct telephonic networking in the local community.
For less-complex cases, telephonic case management services can be a cost-effective way to assist injured workers in preparing to return to a modified duty position, coordinating a modified duty return to work, or, maintaining periodic contact during retraining or self-job search. To better discuss the needs of an individual claimant, please contact us to further arrange for a follow up consultation with a member of our executive team.
Harmony Online Vocational Case Management Platform
Harmony is a revolutionary online, interactive vocational rehabilitation platform, developed internally by our experienced team of vocational professionals, created to supplement our provision of traditional in-person and telephonic case management services.
Harmony allows our case management professionals to provide immediate and responsive 24/7 vocational services. Fresh job leads are provided multiple times per week, to guard against positions closing quickly, with our counselors able to digitally confirm the injured worker received and applied for the leads in an expeditious manner. Independent job search efforts are documented and monitored as they occur, allowing our vocational experts to provide immediate feedback, direction, and encouragement. Educational/retraining opportunities are provided and tracked through Harmony, with the vocational counselor having the ability to immediately verify and encourage progress and completion.
For more information on our innovative Harmony process, please contact us to arrange for a virtual, one-on-one demonstration with a member of our executive team.
TriVOC
Under TriVOC, or Trial Vocational Services, for one cap-rate fee VocMed will provide a vocational assessment, transferrable skills analysis, labor market survey, initial return to work plan, as well as ninety days of hands on vocational counseling, and enrollment into our Harmony platform. At the conclusion of the initial ninety days, an updated return to work plan will be provided to either continue traditional vocational services, place in TriVOC+, or assist with a transition into VocED.
For more information on the TriVOC program, please contact us and a member of our team will happily provide additional information and pricing details.
TriVOC+
Designed for injured workers who have the necessary job seeking skills that no longer require hands-on vocational counseling, TriVOC+ is a continuation of our cap-rate TriVOC program. After completion of the TriVOC program, if the job seeker has demonstrated the necessary skills and capacity to obtain employment independently, VocMed will transition our provision of services from providing hands on counseling to monitoring the injured worker's independent job search and providing continued enrollment in our Harmony platform.
To further discuss the TriVOC+ benefits, cost, or request a demonstration of our Harmony case management platform, please do not hesitate to contact us.
VocED
VocED is a cap-rated service designed to assist injured workers requiring assistance in obtaining a GED, enrolling in extensive long-term training, or those awaiting permanent physical restrictions and seeking to gain transferable skills. Upon referral to the VocED program, VocMed will conduct an initial vocational evaluation, transferrable skills analysis, labor market survey, and assist with enrollment into an appropriately designed training curriculum. Throughout the course of the training, VocMed will maintain telephonic contact with the claimant and instructor to provide the necessary supports for academic success.
If you feel you may have a claimant who would benefit from the VocED program, please contact us and a member of our team will be happy to further discuss the benefits of vocational training.
Labor Market Surveys
Traditionally used prior to implementing a final vocational plan, labor market surveys are helpful to support the proposed vocational plan by confirming whether a set of particular jobs are available within a client's geographical area. Labor market surveys can also be of assistance when dealing with wage-loss and earning capacity issues, in litigation, or when the counselor is prohibited from meeting with the injured worker.
To request a Labor Market Survey on a client, or for more information regarding how a Labor Market Survey can be of benefit, please do not hesitate to contact us to request samples of our work and the results they have obtained.
Expert Testimony
Vocational experts have the training and experience to explain how a worker's injuries and medical diagnosis will affect their abilities to perform specific jobs and day-to-day activities. As such, vocational expert testimony is generally engaged to support or refute a Life Care Plan, vocational potential, and/or wage-earning capacity conveyed in the vocational assessment.
Our vocational and medical case management teams are all qualified as experts, nationally board certified by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRC) or the Certification of Disability Management Specialist Commission (CDMS), and certified United States Department of Labor Office of Workers' Compensation Programs providers, with the capability to provide expert testimony in State and Federal courts. Please contact us to learn more.
Ready to discuss a vocational referral?
Talk to a certified vocational case manager today — referrals and consultations are available 24/7.