An injured worker, employer or treating medical practitioner can initiate a referral to an approved vocational rehabilitation provider. However, to comply with their conditions of approval, the provider must ensure the injured worker, the employer, and the worker’s treating medical practitioner all agree to the referral for vocational rehabilitation services.

A referral may also be on the worker’s First Medical or Progress Medical Certificate.

Employers and treating medical practitioners should be aware that injured workers have the right to choose their approved vocational rehabilitation provider. Once a rehabilitation provider is appoined they will follow the following process:

• When the referral is received, the approved vocational rehabilitation provider completes an assessment to gather information to determine if further vocational rehabilitation services or a specific service would be of benefit (prescribed vocational rehabilitation services available under the Act).
• If the assessment indicates that vocational rehabilitation services are recommended, the provider should discuss the findings of the assessment with the employer, the injured worker and the treating medical practitioner.
• If agreed, the recommended services are then described in a service delivery plan, which must be signed by the worker and agreed by the employer and the treating medical practitioner before the services can be provided.
• A service delivery plan is not required when a single vocational rehabilitation service is to be provided.

In all circumstances, employers should remain the workplace decision maker regarding return to work activities. Resolution of issues not related to the return to work program and the worker’s rehabilitation generally should not become a part of the approved vocational rehabilitation provider’s involvement.