A serious work injury does more than just cause physical pain. It can create profound uncertainty about your future. If your injury prevents you from returning to your original job, it is natural to feel anxious about what comes next.
This is where the federal workers compensation program offers a specific and hopeful path forward. It is a service called vocational rehabilitation, a program designed entirely to help you transition to a new, sustainable career.
This guide will explain what this program is, how it works, and what it means for your journey back to the workforce.
Primary Goal of Vocational Rehabilitation
The main purpose of vocational rehabilitation is to help an injured federal worker return to suitable, gainful employment. It is not a punishment or a way to simply remove you from federal workers comp benefits.
The goal is to provide you with the resources, training, and support needed to find a new job. This new role will be one that accommodates any permanent medical restrictions you have from your work injury.
The program aims to get you back to a position with pay as close as possible to your pre-injury wages.
What to Expect from the Vocational Rehabilitation Process
The process begins when the OWCP determines you have reached maximum medical improvement but cannot return to your old job.
You will be assigned a registered Rehabilitation Counselor who works for a private company but is contracted by the DOL. This counselor will meet with you to perform a vocational assessment.
This includes reviewing your medical records, work history, education, and any transferable skills you possess. They may also conduct testing to identify your aptitudes and interests for new career paths.
Based on this evaluation, you and your counselor will develop an individualized return to work plan. This plan might include services like resume writing, job search assistance, or formal retraining in a new field.
Key Outcomes and Your Responsibilities
One potential outcome is placement with your previous employer in a new, modified position. If that is not possible, the program will focus on finding you a job with a new employer.
In some cases, the OWCP may approve and pay for formal training or education if it is necessary for you to secure a new job. Your responsibility during this process is to cooperate fully with your counselor and the OWCP.
This includes attending all scheduled appointments, actively participating in developing your plan, and genuinely seeking the work that is identified. Failure to cooperate with vocational rehabilitation can jeopardize your federal workers compensation benefits.
Get Help Getting Back to Work
Your DOL doctor is the foundation of your vocational rehabilitation journey. This physician provides the crucial medical evidence that the OWCP uses to define your case. They will write a detailed report outlining your permanent medical restrictions.
This report is what legally determines what kind of work is considered “suitable” and safe for you. A clear report from an experienced DOL Doctor is essential for protecting you during the process.
Physical therapy plays a vital and active role in helping you successfully return to work. A great physical therapist in Palm Beach Gardens can design a program to restore function and build the strength needed for a new job. They can also perform a Functional Capacity Evaluation or FCE. This is a series of tests that provides objective data on your precise physical abilities.
This is not just about healing the old injury but strengthening your body for new types of work. This targeted physical therapy helps you build endurance and confidence for a new professional life.
This data is then used by your DOL Doctor and counselor to ensure any new job is a perfect match for your capacity. Together, a DOL-OWCP injury specialist and physical therapy treatment form a vital support system for you!
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