Going beyond the basics
Going beyond the Basics of RTW Training with Return to Work PLUS
Victorian businesses must facilitate a seamless return to work transition that complies with regulations and helps employees retain or improve their productivity. However, basic training might not always cut it due to an RTW coordinator’s complex, multi-tasking role.
Hence, even if you’ve completed the 2 day WorkSafe accredited RRTWC training, you may require additional training to dive deeper into what this professional role entails.
After spending several years in the industry, Tennille Gould, founder of Return to Work PLUS and facilitator of the 2-Day RRTWC Training Program, has introduced an additional “Going Beyond the Basics” to offer in-depth training.
This course aims to do way more than simply brush their RTW knowledge and skills. It will assist RTW professionals in carrying out their roles more effectively and efficiently under the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation Compensation Act 2013.
Become a Pro RTW Coordinator with RTW PLUS’ Advanced Training Course
The “Going Beyond the Basics” course is an extension of the 2-Day training program designed to explore every aspect of the role in detail by breaking it down into six bite-sized modules:
- The Act
- Developing your Injury Management Team
- Communicating to Overcome Barriers
- Assessments and Plans
- The Treating Health Practitioner Relationship
- The Closing
1. The Act
The program starts with Tennille speaking about the return to work pathway for injured employees and the key employer obligations related to occupational rehabilitation and compensation. It highlights the skills and knowledge RTW professionals have to learn to excel in their duties, along with the purpose and nature of these HSE and risk management programs. However, it doesn’t stop there.
You’ll develop a better understanding of how the Act got to where it is today and learn everything you need to know about the RTW assessment process as per WorkSafe, and the impact politicians, unions, employers, and other important stakeholders have on influencing the obligations within the Act.
Module 1, The Act will also discuss different injury types and the popular trends in the industry so you can utilise this information to be on the front foot and use it to minimise injuries and claims.
The first module is made up of three lessons:
- Lesson 1: The History of Workers Compensation in Victoria.
- Lesson 2: Stats, Studies, Trends
- Lesson 3: Sections of the WIRC Act 2013
2. Developing Your Injury Management Team
The second module explains in detail the importance of proactively forming an injury management team comprising the injured worker, management, health and safety workers, insurers, and other key stakeholders to streamline the treatment, assessment, compensation, and rehabilitation process.
Having worked in regional Victoria, Tennille understands how isolating and overwhelming this role can be, especially if it’s a part-time or additional role assigned to you. Thus, this module focuses on instilling a supportive return-to-work culture and procuring the right human and material resources to accelerate the transition.
The second module is made up of two lessons:
- Lesson 1: How to form your team and who will be on it
- Lesson 2: Prepare Your Workplace for Injury
3. Communicating to Overcome Barriers
The third module of RTW PLUS’ “Going Beyond the Basics” training thoroughly highlights the importance of communication and collaboration for employees and management during the return to work process. For instance, many startups and small businesses lack the experience and prerequisite skills to deal with injured or disabled employees.
Other common barriers include transportation challenges, inadequate identification of duties, scheduling, internal conflict, and human errors that result in downtime or loss (productivity, reputation, financial, etc.).
The third module is made up of five lessons:
- Lesson 1: What is Communication?
- Lesson 2: Communicating Effectively with Injured Workers
- Lesson 3: Communicating Effectively with the Manager
- Lesson 4: Communicating Effectively with the Treating Health Practitioner (THP)
- Lesson 5: Communicating Effectively with the Occupational Rehabilitation Provider (ORP)
This module is most important in the training course as Tennille considers communication the core role or JD of an RTW coordinator.
4. Assessments and Plans
The fourth module primarily focuses on RTW assessments and plans to determine if injured workers are medically and emotionally capable of returning to the workplace and continuing their duties. It helps coordinators understand and use different factors to make strategic decisions and devise a plan according to the circumstances.
These factors include:
- The nature of the injury
- The injured workers’ pre-injury duties and responsibilities
- Any transferable skills to compensate for the inability to carry out pre-injury tasks
- Time for full recovery
- Available suitable job roles
- Pay structure revision (if any), etc.
The fourth module is made up of three lessons:
- Lesson 1: Worksite Assessments (WSA)
- Lesson 2: Return to Work Planning
- Lesson 3: Pulling it All Together
These lessons aim to teach learners how to undertake worksite assessments and plan for an injured worker’s return to work using the information collected or contained. You can also use this information during communications with health practitioners, employers, and even Agents in any negotiation process.
5. The Treating Health Practitioner Relationship
The relationship between an employer and an injured worker’s primary care practitioners can sometimes become complicated. Tennille believes that improving communication between doctors and employers drastically accelerates the return to work process and improves rehabilitation outcomes.
The fifth module is made up of three lessons:
- Lesson 1: What is a THP Relationship?
- Lesson 2: Planning the THP Meeting
- Lesson 3: Writing the Agenda and Organising the Meeting
Tennille believes that the injured workers’ doctors and health practitioners are the most important external stakeholders during the claim process and lifecycle. Therefore, RTW coordinators must have the knowledge, awareness, and confidence to communicate with them effectively.
6. The Closing
The final training module is designed to help learners recall everything they’ve learned from the course and practically apply it in the workplace. It provides scenarios and case studies to help professionals put theory into practice. Moreover, it provides an extensive list of resources for learners to further brush up on their skills and improve their capabilities.
Finally, the sixth module is made up of three lessons:
- Lesson 1: Prepare for the Return to Work
- Lesson 2: Monitoring the Return to Work
- Lesson 3: Closing the Case
Simply put, these lessons are designed to help RTW coordinators utilise all the skills they have picked up from the course and use them to smoothen and accelerate the return-to-work journey for injured workers. The work you do can influence the THP’s decision. Therefore, this module can help ensure you’re well organised and prepared for every step of the transitional process.
F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the “Going Beyond the Basics” training course isn’t accredited (yet), it is an extension of our accredited 2-Day RRTWC training program. However, you will receive a certificate of completion when you’re done with the training.
The Going Beyond the Basics Course is generally offered to anyone involved in RTW coordination in small, medium and large or complex work environments looking for more efficient ways to manage WorkCover claims. Many professionals with previous experience in claim management can also opt for this course, even if they don’t opt for the 2-Day program.
Yes, the course is available online. Once you have registered and enrolled, you’ll receive access to the course through your email address. The training sessions are via recorded videos and powerpoint presentations with the option to download the pdf transcript for each lesson.
Apart from our 2-Day training program and “Going Beyond the Basics” training course, business owners can opt for our RTW consulting service designed to help businesses learn about regulations, industry standards, and legal requirements. Thanks to her years of experience working as an accredited Occupational Rehabilitation Provider, you can also opt for her vocational counselling services through Beneficiant Pty Ltd.
Get In Touch
By opting for RTW PLUS’ “Going Beyond the Basics” training course, you will get access to information most RTW professionals learn after spending years in the industry. So, whether you’re an aspiring RTW coordinator or a veteran in the industry, you can benefit from the latest case studies, post-pandemic trends, real-life examples, and flow charts.
So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with us by calling 0402 984 459 or send an email to tennille@returntoworkplus.com.au for more details and get started right away!