Return to Work Programs

A return to work program is an overall structure that is implemented by several key stakeholders, including the client, their employer, nominated treating doctor, insurer and treatment providers. The program is documented and outlines the key responsibilities of stakeholders and their involvement to assist the client during their recovery. The program is goal oriented.

Return to Work Planning

A return to work plan is developed to assist the worker at work, specifically providing details of the primary and secondary goals for the client’s recovery. It outlines any medical restrictions, duties, hours and consideration of any special requirements. The process of developing a return to work plan generally requires that a workplace assessment be conducted, collaboration occurs with medical and treatment providers so that all restrictions are considered to ensure that the activities performed are safe and sustainable.

Ergonomic Workstation Assessment

Ascent provides ergonomic assessments to our existing and privately referred clients. Ascent provides a comprehensive assessment of a person’s workstation, taking into account their daily job requirements, any pre-existing injuries or current concerns. As part of the service, if requested, Ascent is able to provide a comprehensive report for all parties records indicating both medical and ergonomic advice.

Equipment Prescription

Ascent can identify and source appropriate assistive equipment to maximise an individual’s recovery. Ascent will often meet with individuals in their home, community or work environment to identify areas of concern; and to make recommendations on appropriate equipment in order to make tasks easier relative to their stage of recovery. Ascent has experience in providing a range of equipment relevant to different settings. These include but are not limited to workstation/desk aids, bathroom aids, kitchen aids, long handled aids, and bedroom aids. Ascent can also refer clients on to specialised services for wheelchair prescription and vehicle modifications.

Initial Needs Assessment

An assessment to identify the client’s concerns, needs, perceptions, areas of interest and goals for their functional restoration or care. Ascent Rehabilitation suggest an initial needs assessment occur for all new clients, to ensure that a holistic approach is established in the early stages of a person’s injury and rehabilitation program can be tailored according to a person’s individual needs.

Home Assessment

Outside of the return to work sector, Ascent provides home assessment services to assist a variety of individuals to become more independent in the home environment. The aim of a home assessment is to identify the needs of each individual, and to provide assistance; whether in the form of training, education, assistive equipment or environmental modification. Ascent makes specific recommendations based on the individuals injuries, stage of recovery and social setting. Considerations are specifically provided regarding access to the home both internally and externally; with attention to an individual’s level of mobility and strength.

Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Assessment

An ADL Assessment is aimed to empower our clients to function independently within their home and community environment. An ADL Assessment is typically completed at the clients home, and often involves information gathering in both a subjective and objective format. Our clients are often asked to demonstrate various tasks including but not limited to; meal preparation, cleaning/laundry, gardening, mobility and transfers, transport, shopping and personal hygiene. The aim of this assessment is to identify areas of improvement, and to increase participation in tasks through modifying the way it is executed or through recommending specific assistive equipment.

Worksite Assessments

A worksite assessment is an important part of the return to work process. This involves an assessment and analysis of the person’s pre-injury duties, and establishes which of these specific duties are suitable for a person to engage in throughout their recovery. Through early identification of suitable duties, Ascent is able to best promote a functional, workplace based rehabilitation program which keeps clients engaged in their usual daily tasks and routine.

Vocational Assessment

Vocational assessments are a comprehensive tool to establish a person’s redeployment options outside of their usual work role. The process of a vocational assessment typically requires a variety of written and verbal assessments, aimed at establishing a person’s employability in other areas. A vocational assessment can also identify areas for further retraining, making a client more suitable to progress to new job roles.

Physiotherapy Assessment

For particular clients, Ascent can organise for an independent physiotherapy consultant to provide one-off assessment of pre-existing or existing medical condition. This offers an impartial clinical opinion and treatment recommendations for concerned parties. The independent physiotherapy assessments can be especially beneficial to our clients who experience a plateau in their recovery and require a new approach to their treatment program.