I’ve been working in occupational rehabilitation now for six years. Six years… and only a handful of patients I’ve met have heard of the role of a rehabilitation consultant (RC). So, I’ve had to get a little creative in helping patients to understand our very unique scope of practice.
I’ve explained that we’re:
- “An allied health professional assigned to assist in your recovery from injury”.
- “An on-the-ground support person assigned to help you navigate your claim”.
- “A clinician specially trained to manage and design your return to work program”.
- “An advocate assigned to facilitate healthy, productive relationships between yourself, your employer and your insurance company”.
- “A guide for yourself and your GP in facilitating approvals and best practice treatment”
The truth is, we’re all of those things, and so much more. But let’s break it down into simple terms.
Rehabilitation Consultants (RC) are known as many things here in the ACT (and nationwide). We can be referred to as Rehab Consultants, Workplace Rehabilitation Providers (WRP), Rehabilitation Coordinators, or my favourite, ‘My Rehab Person’ (I won’t acronym that last one). We respond to all, but in essence, we’re a health professional here to help throughout the course of your injury management process.
To clarify, workplace rehabilitation providers (WRP’s) exist all over the country. But lucky for those in the ACT, legislation has been designed to support those on claims by granting them access to an industry trained allied health professional. Sadly, this isn’t always the case in other states and territories in Australia.
Your RC can be an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, exercise physiologist, nurse, social worker, rehabilitation counsellor, psychologist or doctor. On all accounts, your RC will be allied health educated, and suitably trained to inform you on your injury and the best way to assist you in your return to normal activity, including work.
Just for a bit of fun, let’s break down some common myths and legends:
- “Do you work for my insurance company?”. No. Rehabilitation Consultants work for private, allied health providers and are in no way affiliated with an insurance company (this would be an enormous conflict of interest!). Here at Ascent, we have a diverse range of referrers, including insurance companies, but also private referrers such as employers, GP’s and their patients.
- “But you’re paid by my insurance company, right?”. In most instances, yes. Similar to your GP, Physiotherapist, Psychologist or Counsellor – Ascent Rehabilitation offers specialised allied health services at a standardised rate, which is forwarded to the referring party (in most cases, the insurer).
- “Are you just here to help me return to work”? Not always. We’re here to assist patients to return to their pre-injury level of functioning. This commonly includes re-integration into normal activities of daily living, which for most people over the age of 18, includes work. As health professionals, we embrace the healthy benefits of good work and support our patients to return to their occupations in both a safe and sustainable manner, whilst recovering.
Those who know me, know that I could harp on about the role of the RC for days. But in essence, I’d encourage you to see your RC as a support person and a guide through what we know is a difficult time in life. Injury management can be really complex, particularly in the presence of a system, so we’re here to help you through that.
So, if you’re currently on workers compensation, compulsory third party insurance, or any other scheme for that matter; pick up the phone, speak to your insurance company and ask whether you can access the support of a Workplace Rehabilitation Provider. We’re here to try and have a positive impact on your recovery process, and to help you get back to things that are importance as quickly, as safely, as possible.