|
|
|
Methodology
Hostetler-Fontaine & Associates attempts to introduce rehabilitation services as soon as possible after the injury, since this has proven to yield the best results. Initial contact centers around a rehabilitation professional's obtaining a diagnosis and prognosis of the current medical situation from the injured worker and his or her physician, as well as the exploration of the injured worker's vocational history. The employer is then contacted by a qualified Job Development Specialist to determine the return to work possibilities.
Should a return to work with the original employer not be possible, a vocational assessment will be made to determine, with the injured worker, several areas of employment which are within their interests and abilities for which there appears to be a reasonable chance of employment within his or her geographic location. Hostetler-Fontaine & Associates then institutes active and accountable job development activities in an attempt to locate a job. During this phase we will contact a large number of prospective employers to set up appointments for the injured worker to attend interviews, and we will perform employer follow up activities.In cases where direct employment is not possible, short term retraining will be explored after consultation with all responsible parties. The preferred type of training will be "on the job" training. This means the person is already hired and being trained by his or her employer. Institutional training will be explored particularly within institutions that have strong placement services. That is not to say, however, that while an individual is in an institutional training program, we will not continue to look for work. Hostetler-Fontaine & Associates believes that it is important to maintain an ongoing work history.
|
