ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Undertake initial interview

1.1 Rapport is established with the injured worker and the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved in the injury management process are discussed/explained.

1.2 The injured worker's role in the injury management process is reinforced.

1.3 The injured worker's level of knowledge and attitude towards the workers rehabilitation and compensation system is ascertained.

1.4 Information on the rehabilitation process is provided and any specific needs of the worker are taken into account/addressed.

1.5 A comprehensive history is taken and the injured worker's perception/knowledge of the injury/disability is determined.

2. Gather information

2.1 Contact is established and information regarding the workplace is gathered from the employer in accordance with the organisation's injury management protocols.

2.2 The treating medical practitioner is contacted and information relating to the injury and its treatment is clarified.

2.3 The role and communication expectations of the treating medical practitioner are discussed/clarified.

2.4 The insurer/self-insurer is contacted and service delivery requirements of the injury management process and roles are clarified.

2.5 The need for specific assessments/rehabilitation services is determined in line with the legislation and referrals are provided for these in accordance with organisational injury management policy and procedures.

3. Assess need for rehabilitation services

3.1 The length of time the injured worker has been unfit to undertake normal duties is noted and considered in relation to average recovery time for specific injuries.

3.2 Information from all relevant sources/stakeholders is analysed and the needs of the injured worker are identified.

3.3 The need for rehabilitation services is confirmed or found not to be necessary in accordance with rehabilitation legislation, policy and procedures.

3.4 The outcome of the initial assessment is recorded and forwarded in accordance with legislation, policy and procedures.

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Skill requirements

Look for evidence that confirms skills in:

applying legislation, regulations and policies relating to rehabilitation assessments

assessing rehabilitation requirements

reading and applying complex information such as legislation and regulations

explaining complex legislation in line with the injured worker's existing knowledge, experience and specific needs

communication including establishing rapport with a diverse range of people, engaging the injured worker, active listening, paraphrasing, clarifying, negotiating and probing for value-added information in the initial interview

gathering, recording and reporting information in accordance with organisational requirements

responding to diversity, including gender and disability

applying procedures relating to occupational health and safety and environment in the context of injury management

Knowledge requirements

Look for evidence that confirms knowledge and understanding of:

legislation, regulations, policies, procedures and guidelines and best practice principles relating to injury management

privacy legislation

freedom of information legislation

procedures to ensure confidentiality and security of information

requirements of rehabilitation assessment

roles and responsibilities in the injury management process

organisational standards and documentary requirements of initial rehabilitation assessment

equal employment opportunity, equity and diversity principles

public sector legislation such as occupational health and safety and environment in the context of injury management

The Evidence Guide specifies the evidence required to demonstrate achievement in the unit of competency as a whole. It must be read in conjunction with the Unit descriptor, Performance Criteria, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Public Sector Training Package.

Units to be assessed together

Pre-requisite units that must be achieved prior to this unit:Nil

Co-requisite units that must be assessed with this unit:Nil

Co-assessed units that may be assessed with this unit to increase the efficiency and realism of the assessment process include, but are not limited to:

PSPETHC401A Uphold and support the values and principles of public service

PSPGOV402B Deliver and monitor service to clients

PSPGOV406B Gather and analyse information

PSPGOV408A Value diversity

PSPGOV422A Apply government processes

PSPLEGN401A Encourage compliance with legislation in the public sector

Overview of evidence requirements

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:

the knowledge requirements of this unit

the skill requirements of this unit

application of the Employability Skills as they relate to this unit (see Employability Summaries in Qualifications Framework)

initial rehabilitation assessments undertaken in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)

Resources required to carry out assessment

These resources include:

legislation, policy, procedures and protocols relating to injury management

case studies and workplace scenarios to capture the range of situations likely to be encountered when undertaking initial rehabilitation assessments

Where and how to assess evidence

Valid assessment of this unit requires:

a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when undertaking initial rehabilitation assessments, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and breakdowns in routine

initial rehabilitation assessments undertaken in a range of (3 or more) contexts (or occasions, over time)

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, such as literacy, and the needs of particular groups, such as:

people with disabilities

people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

women

young people

older people

people in rural and remote locations

Assessment methods suitable for valid and reliable assessment of this competency may include, but are not limited to, a combination of 2 or more of:

case studies

portfolios

questioning

scenarios

simulation or role plays

authenticated evidence from the workplace and/or training courses

For consistency of assessment

Evidence must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments

The Range Statement provides information about the context in which the unit of competency is carried out. The variables cater for differences between States and Territories and the Commonwealth, and between organisations and workplaces. They allow for different work requirements, work practices and knowledge. The Range Statement also provides a focus for assessment. It relates to the unit as a whole. Text in bold italics in the Performance Criteria is explained here.

Stakeholders may include:

medical practitioners

case manager

return to work coordinator

allied health professionals

insurer/self-insurer

rehabilitation provider

supervisor

union representative

injured worker

family members

co-workers

work trial hosts

Injury management processincludes:

treatment

rehabilitation coordination

retraining

employment management

claims management

vocational counselling

rehabilitation counselling

Information provided may be:

standardised

in the form of a checklist

History may include:

background information

personal information

full details of the injury/illness

cause/s of injury

treatment

current capacity

pre-injury work description and duties

Information on the workplacemay include:

personnel in the workplace

workplace dynamics

type of industry/production

external demands on employer

access requirements

safety

security

support for rehabilitation/return to work activities

Information from the treating medical practitionermay include:

prescribed medical certificate

medical details of injury/illness

treatment plan

prognosis

injured worker's capacity/potential for suitable duties

Specific assessments/ rehabilitation servicesmay include:

those listed in the legislation, regulations or guidelines

treatment

medical advice

legal advice

independent medical examination

functional capacity evaluation

vocational assessment

support counselling

vocational counselling

Records may include:

endorsement of return to work plan/program

full details on case file

report to case manager/claims manager

Assessment may be forwarded to:

case manager

claims manager

Comcare

rehabilitation manager

Legislation, policy and procedures may include:

workers rehabilitation/compensation legislation

privacy legislation

freedom of information legislation

equal employment opportunity legislation

occupational health and safety legislation

procedures to ensure confidentiality and security of information

organisation policy

performance standards

rehabilitation and return to work manual

claims management manual

public sector standards

codes of conduct

codes of ethics

return to work policy