Northwest Return to Work Supports Work Rehabilitation Improvements in WA State!
The WA Labor and Industries Work Rehabilitation Guideline (WRG) subcommittee has been locating and reviewing research literature and listening to clinicians who provide clinical expertise to review current work rehabilitation processes in WA State. The goal was to determine where and when these practices are supported by research, and to determine opportunities for improvement. The overall goal is to better meet the needs of injured workers.
Everything we do at Northwest Return to Work (NWRTW) is about providing comprehensive treatment to injured workers, including behavioral health support. Either through collaborative community referrals or by providing additional support and training, NWRTW is second to none for comprehensive rehabilitation for injured workers. If you are a medical provider who works with Injured Workers, we encourage you to Connect.
Read more about the WRG
The WRG is comprised of members from the Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy (PT) state associations, members of the industrial commissions medical and chiropractic advisory committees (IIMAC and IICAC), members from the vocational counseling community, and clinicians and researchers from the WA State Department of Labor and Industry (L&I).
This hard work has culminated in “Recommendations for Work Rehabilitation Best Practices,” and can be found HERE.
Highlights include information on Coordination of Care, Assessment, Intervention Components, Outcomes, Program Requirements, Provider Requirements, and Worker Requirements.
The purpose of the guideline is to, “create consensus in the development of a work rehabilitation guideline based on evidence-informed best practices and practitioner expertise across a variety of provider types involved in the recovery process.” The guideline will be used to inform changes to L&I’s existing work rehabilitation programs to better align them with current literature and clinical best practices.
The WRG is asking those involved in the care of injured workers and the public at large to comment on the report. Public comment can be made HERE.