1. Principles of Workplace Rehabilitation
| Principle One: Service provision |
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| 1.1 A focus on return to workExpectations that a return to work goal and the services required are established with relevant parties at the commencement and throughout service provision (relevant parties include worker, employer, insurer, other service providers).Appropriate services are identified and delivered to maximise return to work.Services focus initially on return to work in the worker’s pre-injury employment or, if that is not possible, with another employer. |
Provide a succinct statement on what this means to your organisation and how you will apply this principle and its indicators. For example consider what would you say to an injured worker or an employer about what this means and what will occur.
| 1.2 The right services provided at the right timeWorkers receive prompt attention and intervention appropriate to their needs.Barriers, risks and strengths are identified and strategies promptly implemented.Services are actively coordinated and integrated with other injury management and return to work activities. |
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Provide a succinct statement on what this means to your organisation and how you will apply this principle and its indicators. For example consider what would you say to an injured worker or an employer about what this means and what will occur.
| 1.3 Effective service provision at an appropriate costNeeds of the worker and employer are identified by means of adequate and appropriate assessment.Service levels match the worker and employer needs.Service costs match the range and extent of service provision. |
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Provide a succinct statement on what this means to your organisation and how you will apply this principle and its indicators. For example consider what would you say to an injured worker or an employer about what this means and what will occur.
| 1.4 Effective communication with all the relevant partiesRespectful, open and effective working relationships established and maintained with and between workers and employers and other relevant parties.b. The provider acts as the link between treatment providers and the workplace to translate functional gains into meaningful work activity.c. Progress towards the return to work goal is communicated to interested parties throughout service provision.d. Durability of employment is confirmed 13 weeks after placement. |
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Provide a succinct statement on what this means to your organisation and how you will apply this principle and its indicators. For example consider what would you say to an injured worker or an employer about what this means and what will occur.
| 1.5 Evidence based decisionsa. Assessments demonstrate need for service.b. The type of service selected is the most appropriate and cost effective of those available to achieve the return to work goal.c. An equitable and consistently applied approach to recommending commencement and cessation of service delivery.d. Consideration given to workplace industrial relations and human resource matters that may affect the worker’s return to work. |
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Provide a succinct statement on what this means to your organisation and how you will apply this principle and its indicators. For example consider what would you say to an injured worker or an employer about what this means and what will occur.
| Principle Two: Organisational and Administrative arrangements |
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| 2.1 Comprehensive and robust corporate governance infrastructureSystems of probity that avoid conflict of interest as well as prevent, manage and report malpractice/fraud.Appropriate financial administration including accurate accounting.Maintenance of appropriate and adequate insurances, including professional indemnity, public liability and workers’ compensation.Data collection, analysis and reporting of provider performance including return to work and durable return to work rates. |
Provide a succinct statement on what this means to your organisation and how you will apply this principle and its indicators.
| 2.2 A records management system meeting State and Commonwealth legislation requirementsComprehensive, accurate and accessible records pertaining to all clients, staff and business operations.Security of storage of records in accordance with legislative requirements. |
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Provide a succinct statement on how you will apply this principle and its indicators.
| 2.3 Privacy and confidentiality practices meeting relevant privacy legislation requirementsSystems that incorporate privacy and confidentiality requirements within all aspects of the organisational and administrative arrangements. |
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Provide a succinct statement on what this means to your organisation and how you will apply this principle and its indicators.
| 2.4 Safe work practices as well as return to work and injury management policiesb. Systems that comply with relevant injury management and workers compensation legislation.c. Systems that comply with local workplace health and safety legislation. |
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Provide a succinct statement on what this means to your organisation and how you will apply this principle and its indicators.
| 2.5 Organisational management structure requirementsAt least one person in the management structure with a qualification recognised as being sufficient to satisfy the requirements of a Workplace Rehabilitation Consultant and who is able to demonstrate at least five year’s relevant workplace rehabilitation experience (also refer to 4.1.a. Minimum Workplace Rehabilitation Consultant qualifications). |
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Provide a certified copy of the qualifications and experience of the personnel who meet and will continue to meet this condition.
| Principle Three: Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement |
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| 3.1 Quality ModelQuality systems that ensure customer focused service delivery, and collect, analyse and monitor qualitative and quantitative data to identify areas of strength and opportunities for systems and service improvement. |
Provide a succinct statement on what this means to your organisation and how you will apply this principle and its indicators.
| 3.2 Quality AssuranceImplementation of appropriate review mechanisms (e.g. annual self evaluations and internal peer reviews) to assure conformance with the Conditions of Approval.Implementation and documentation of corrective and preventative actions and monitoring and review of their effectiveness. |
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Provide a succinct statement on what this means to your organisation and how you will apply this principle and its indicators.
| 3.3 Customer focusSystem to collect, review, analyse and action solicited and unsolicited feedback from customers.Implementation of an effective complaints management system. |
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Provide a succinct statement on what this means to your organisation and how you will apply this principle and its indicators.
| 3.4 Continuous improvement.Systems for analysing information and data to identify opportunities for improvement.Planning, piloting, refining and implementing improvement strategies.Monitoring and review the effectiveness of any improvement strategies. |
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Provide a succinct statement on what this means to your organisation and how you will apply this principle and its indicators.
| Principle Four: Staff Management |
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| 4.1 Qualifications, knowledge and experienceSystems for ensuring that Workplace Rehabilitation Consultants have the minimum qualifications (as outlined below) and the qualifications are verified.Workplace Rehabilitation Consultants will have a qualification recognised, accredited or registered by one of the following associations or state registration boards:Australian Society of Rehabilitation CounsellorsRehabilitation Counselling Association of AustraliaAustralian Association of Occupational Therapists (registered in QLD, SA, NT and WA)Physiotherapist Registration Board (registered)Australian Association of Exercise and Sports Science (accredited as Exercise Physiologists)Psychologists Registration Board (registered)Speech Pathology AustraliaAustralian Association of Social WorkersMedical Board (registered)Nurses Registration Board (registered)AND 12 months or more experience delivering workplace rehabilitation services.Where Workplace Rehabilitation Consultants have less than 12 months’ experience delivering workplace rehabilitation services, a comprehensive induction program will be completed and professional supervision provided for at least 12 months.Note: Some workplace rehabilitation services can only be delivered by designated professional groups. The minimum qualifications to deliver these services are included in the description of the workplace rehabilitation services as specified by each jurisdiction.b. Workplace Rehabilitation Consultants have the appropriate skills, knowledge, and experience to deliver workplace rehabilitation services.c. Workplace Rehabilitation Consultants have knowledge of injury management principles and workers compensation legislation, policy and procedure.d. All staff interacting with injured workers and workplaces have undergone current checks and clearances where appropriate (e.g. police, security, OHS and child protection). |
Your organisation must provide a completed Staff Details sheet - for each location being proposed as part of this application (see Appendix 1 - Staff Details, page 20)
Provide a succinct statement on what this means to your organisation and how you will apply this principle with particular reference made to indicators b. c. and d.
| 4.2 Induction, ongoing learning and developmentA robust induction and continuous learning and development program to support the acquisition and maintenance of staff skills and knowledge.Staff have access to and understand all current policies and procedures relevant to their work.c. Staff having appropriate supervision and support and participate in internal peer review processes.d. Staff members are compliant with the professional code of conduct relevant to their particular qualification. |
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Provide a succinct statement on what this means to your organisation and how you will apply this principle and its indicators.
| 4.3 Adequate staff resourcingCaseload management systems that efficiently allocate cases to staff with the experience and skill level to match the worker’s injury, needs and potential case complexity.Handover practices where cases are reviewed and all relevant parties informed to maintain continuity of care for the worker. |
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Provide a succinct statement on what this means to your organisation and how you will apply this principle and its indicators.
2. Provider Annual Self-evaluations and other Evaluations as required
| To demonstrate ongoing conformance with the Conditions of Approval, an organisation must participate in annual self-evaluations and any independent evaluations as required by the workers’ compensation authority. |
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Outline the annual self-evaluation procedures and processes that were implemented in the prior 3 year approval period in the context of your organisation’s quality assurance model.
Provide a copy of the most recent self-evaluation report including the quality improvement plan implemented to address the identified non-conformities.
Provide a signed Declaration of Conformity to the Conditions of Approval from your organisation’s most recent annual self-evaluation.
Please provide the name of person(s) who conducted the most recent provider annual self-evaluations on behalf of your organisation, their qualifications and demonstrate how they meet the requirements of an independent evaluator. Please confirm that they were not personally responsible for the aspects of the business that they evaluated.
If your organisation has been required to participate in an independent evaluation by the workers’ compensation authority, please provide a copy of the most recent independent evaluation including the quality improvement plan implemented to address the identified non-conformities.
3. Cases of Workplace Rehabilitation activity
| An organisation must demonstrate management of 12 cases of activity consistent with the model of workplace rehabilitation within any workers’ compensation jurisdiction for each 12 month period within the 3 year approval period. (Due consideration will be given to organisations servicing rural and remote areas). |
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Outline how your organisation has met and will continue to meet this condition.
Please attach case data to illustrate conformance with this requirement.
4. Minimum RTW rate
| The workplace rehabilitation provider must maintain the minimum return to work rate as set by the workers’ compensation authority. |
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Outline how your organisation has met and will continue to maintain the minimum return to work rate.
Please attach performance data to illustrate conformance with this requirement.
5. Safe environment
| The workplace rehabilitation provider’s facilities at all locations where services are intended to be provided must provide an accessible and appropriate environment for workers, staff and visitors and comply with local workplace health and safety legislation. |
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For each location/site describe how the facilities have been and will continue to be accessible and appropriate for all workers, staff and visitors. In your response detail:
- the intended hours of operation (for example, business hours and 5 days per week excluding public holidays),
- the availability of public transport and/or car parking within or near each location, and
- what types of alternatives to stairs are available for workers with mobility impairments.
For each location/site describe how the facilities have complied and will continue to comply with local workplace health and safety legislation.