WorkCover WA may designate a person as an approved medical specialist if the person is a medical practitioner who WorkCover WA considers to be sufficiently trained in the use of WorkCover WA guides and satisfies WorkCover WA’s criteria. Click here to contact us for the latest information about education and training.

A detailed outline of how to become an approved medical specialist is outlined. For more information call Advisory Services on 1300 794 744 or click here to contact us via email.

Scroll down the page for information about the Psychiatruc Impairment Assessment Workshop.

To be designated as an approved medical specialist, a person must:

1. Be registered as a medical practitioner; and
   
   
2. Provide evidence of current clinical practice and/ or expertise in assessment; and
   
   
3. Have undertaken training in the WorkCover WA Education Module, which includes training in the WorkCover WA Guides; and
   
   
4. (i) Have undertaken training in the use of the American Medical Association Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, or have current accreditation as a "Certified Independent Medical Examiner" with the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners (ABIME);or  
   
   (ii) Have undertaken other training in impairment assessment approved by WorkCover WA. The relevant training (as per 4 i or ii above) is to have been undertaken within a period of five years immediately prior to the date of designation; and
   
   
5. (i) Have qualifications as a specialist; or
   
   (ii) Be able to demonstrate competency levels acceptable to WorkCover WA. Other (non-specialist) medical practitioners should note that in order to demonstrate the competency required, WorkCover WA will take into consideration an applicant's relevant skills, experience and qualifications.

As a guide, WorkCover WA will review the extent to which a medical practitioner has:

• significant work in a medical practice with consistent management and assessment of injured workers
• experience in undertaking medical assessments of injured workers;and
• relevant qualifications - for example, ABIME exam certification or other similar qualifications related to medico-legal assessments or disability assessments. Applications in this category will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

Psychiatric Impairment Assessment Workshop

WorkCover WA’s  workshop on evaluating permanent psychiatric impairment provided approved medical specialists with an opportunity to refresh their knowledge of the impairment assessment process.

Please see the links below for information provided at the workshop:

Psychiatric assessment powerpoint presentation

• Case study one
• Case study two
• Case study three
• Case study four