Who Should Enrol?
This course provides the skills and knowledge required for a Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinator (RRTWC) to assist with the management of workers’ compensation claims, rehabilitation and return-to-work programs. It applies to individuals who undertake claims management, rehabilitation and return-to-work programs.
Note that the course does not in any way address the process of treating the worker for their injury or illness, as this is the task of health and rehabilitation professionals. Instead, the course focuses on assisting with managing claims and ensuring that the organisation supports the worker through return-to-work programs.
What Will They Learn?
The aim of the course is to provide participants with a basic understanding of the return to work process and the role of the Rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinators. Participants will gain information on how to support and assist employers and injured workers, and the underlying skills that will assist RRTWC to facilitate the successful return to work of injured workers.
Objectives
The course will enable RRTWC’s to:
- compile and investigate initial injury notification information
- facilitate and lead the early communication with an injured worker to clarify the nature and severity of the worker's injury
- develop the suitable duties program component of a rehabilitation and return to work plan (if required) in consultation with the worker, the worker's employer and treating medical practitioner
- coordinate the worker's return to work
- monitor and ensure the work plan is consistent with the current medical certificate or report for the worker's injury
- liaise with any person engaged by the employer to help in the worker's rehabilitation and return to work
- liaise with the insurer about the worker's progress and indicate, as early as possible, and if any assistance or intervention is required
- educate workers and management about workplace rehabilitation.
Is this the Q-Comp Course?
Recently the Workers' Compensation and Rehabilitation and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2014 was passed in Queensland parliament. The official assent of the Act has resulted in changes for rehabilitation and return to work coordinators and their employers. As a result of these changes, rehabilitation and return to work coordinators no longer need to be certified to carry out their roles. It is now the responsibility of the employer to ascertain that a rehabilitation and return to work coordinator is 'appropriately qualified' to carry out their role in the context of the environment they are working in.
This means there is no requirement for registration with the Workers' Compensation Regulator (Q-Comp) and rehabilitation and return to work coordinators don't need to renew their current certificates to continue working in their roles.
In response to these changes, there are now non-accredited and accredited courses available to meet the requirement of 'appropriately qualified'. This course is an accredited course, and fulfils the requirement of the legislation's intent to provide participants with the skill and knowledge to undertake the functions of their role as Rehabilitation & Return-to-Work Coordinator.
Assessment and Outcome
Participants will be assessed via theory assessment and practical activities. At successful completion of the course participants will receive a nationally accredited Statement of Attainment for BSBWHS417 Assist with managing WHS implications of return to work.
Recognition of Prior Learning
For those who hold an existing competency in this subject, or if you have prior experience in rehabilitation and return to work practices, please speak to our staff regarding recognition of your prior skills and knowledge. You will be required to have a competency conversation with a trainer and have documented evidence of your skills and experience.
Please note your evidence must show your own personal involvement in rehab and return to work, there must be sufficient evidence of you utilising these skills over time, and your evidence must be reasonably current (i.e. within 2-3 years or so).
The evidence you supply must be able to cover the criteria found within the unit you are attempting to RPL. To drill down further into what is in the unit of competency, please go to www.training.gov.au and search the unit code.
Reading, Writing and Digital Literacy
The course is delivered in English and requires the answering of questions, filling in tables and forms, writing up notes and minutes of meetings, and filling in other templates. Reading and writing skills are required, and they do need to be at a satisfactory level, as there are a number of tasks which require literacy skills.
There is also a requirement for students to use technology such as laptops or computers, as they need to type up documentation which looks business like and professional, just as they would if they were working in an organisation and employed in this role. The ability to access the Internet, research health and safety matters, injury management and terminology, and transfer this information into written advice and reports is also required.
Student Support
For those who have concerns regarding their ability to undertake this study program, please refer to our Student Information and Support page under the Training menu for further information on what services are offered to those requiring extra assistance.
Course Venue and Equipment
This course may be conducted in our training rooms in Cairns, or on-site at client premises. Where courses are conducted on-site then a suitable venue and white board are to be provided by the client company. The venue shall have sufficient tables and chairs for participants to be seated comfortably for the duration of training. Any catering costs shall be borne by the client company. Please contact us to discuss alternate arrangements if there is any difficulty in providing these facilities and equipment.
Additional Costs and Expenses
Where the training is conducted outside the immediate Cairns area then additional costs will be applicable. Any airfares, travel, accommodation, meals and materials freight incurred in the provision of this training will be on-charged. Mileage and traveling time will be charged at our standard rates. Please contact us for a formal quotation for courses conducted outside of Cairns.
Where consideration needs to be applied due to cultural, language, literacy, numeracy or other special needs, extra time will be allowed to ensure participants receive sufficient supported training. This time will be charged at our standard rates.
Customisation
On-site or dedicated courses may be customised to the procedures of specific organisations to allow targeted training of managers and employees. Please contact us if you would like to organise delivery of a customised course for your business.
How to Book Online Study
Download an enrolment form (click the Enrol Now button), complete and email to our friendly team at to study this course. You will receive a log in to our Student Portal with instructions on how to go about your studies. You have 6 months to complete your course.
How to Book into a Public Course
Click on our Training Calendar to see what dates are scheduled. Download an enrolment form (click the Enrol Now button), complete and email to our friendly team at to secure your place. Please advise which dates you will be attending.
If there are no dates in the Training Calendar, feel free to make contact, as we may be in the process of scheduling, and will be in the best position to find dates which suit you.
How to Book a Dedicated Course
Please note this course may be contextualised to your requirements, so please let us know if there is something specific you would like covered or have particular challenges within your organisation you would like addressed.
Contact our office if you would like to book a dedicated course. Course date will be scheduled at the time of booking and is subject to trainer availability.