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EXPERT VOCATIONAL EVALUATION AND REHABILITATION COMPANY

Selected Case Summaries

Below are overviews of selected cases of Re-Employment Resources.

Case Summary #1 — Federal Employee Compensation Act (FECA) workers’ compensation — dog attack injuries.

Background: E.C. was a 29-year-old U.S. postal carrier who was attacked by a dog which led to severe knee injuries with permanent limitations. E.C. had been out of the workforce for 4 years and was still under medical care, taking strong prescription pain medications.

Prior work experiences were in group home direct care and as a car salesperson. After incident, E.C. completed an Associate’s degree in criminal justice. When presented with preparing for alternative work options such as in administrative work, E.C. was initially surprised and asked “who will hire me?”

Diagnoses: Status-post 4 knee surgeries with severe chronic pain, and hip and back symptoms from a limping gait. Functional capacity evaluation (FCE) identified sedentary work capacities.

Approach: Case was referred for vocational rehabilitation services, 4 years after dog attack.

Initial vocational evaluation and guidance counseling brought together a combination of re-employment strategies: E.C. had acquired skills in prior group home work and in automobile sales work. In addition, E.C. had pursued an interest in criminal justice and had obtained a related Associate’s degree.

Services Performed:

After a rapport had been built, guidance focused on re-framing E.C.’s past skills toward sedentary re-entry work options. Goals were set together toward closing E.C.’s multi-year job gap with responsible office positions.

E.C.’s resume’ was reformatted to emphasize administrative and leadership functions from past work. Certain college courses were related to future work goals. References were identified and E.C. informed her references of her upcoming job search.

Over several weeks, E.C. received support services as follows: 1) regular job search meetings to review application and interview strategies; 2) job development services provided to E.C. with telephonically pre-screened “warm job leads” to apply to; and 3) job placement follow-up services as E.C. closed a long job gap and obtained suitable re-employment.

Outcome:

At the end of a 3-month job-search period, E.C. was hired with the county sheriff’s department as an entry-level Public Safety Dispatcher I. E.C.’s re-employment closed a 4-year job gap. At our final meeting, E.C. informed me that she was working with her doctor to phase off of pain medications. Finally, E.C. completed the requirements to be a state-licensed dispatcher.

Case Summary #2 — Defense Base Act (DBA) — Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Background:
  • P.S. was a 34-year-old truck driver and transportation trainer/supervisor working for a federal contractor in the Iraqi war zone.
  • Diagnosis: Post-traumatic stress disorder.
  • High school educated with company-sponsored transport courses. Previous work in security, customer service, and as an enlisted Marine.
  • Physician restrictions, based on the nature of the incident and on medications for PTSD management, limited P.S.’s work options to nondriving occupations.
  • Case referred for vocational rehabilitation, almost 3 years post incident.
Approach:

In order to minimize loss of wage earning capacity as an overseas federal employee, a comprehensive evaluation and re-employment plan was implemented. Vocational testing and exploratory activities encouraged PS to build upon acquired skills in the field of logistics. A local public community college offered short-term academic certificates in logistics programs. PS was fully sponsored and completed 2 academic certificates, earning 22 college credits.

Services Performed:
  • Comprehensive vocational evaluation, consultation with the psychological counseling provider, plan development and coordination toward 2 academic certificates in logistics.
  • Ongoing follow-up and supports were provided throughout the certification program.
  • In the last semester, full job placement services were provided to include labor market survey, job seeking skills training, functional resume development, reference development, provision of job leads, and placement follow-up.
Outcome:

After one year in the certification program, PS became reemployed in a construction job, closing an almost 5-year employment gap. Soon after, upon graduation, PS was hired as a logistics coordinator in the office of a safety equipment supplier. P.S. became reemployed within his skills and abilities, in a career field.

Case Summary #3 — Federal Worker's Compensation, referred by Department of Labor — Spinal injuries with permanent restrictions

Background:
  • A.C. was a 45-year old civilian warehouse store worker at an Army base, performing medium-duty handling of stock.
  • Diagnosis: Cervical, lumbar and thoracic injuries from a falling 40 lb food bag.
  • High school educated with older experience as a hospital cashier and clinic volunteer. Some community college credits, over 20 years old.
  • Physician restrictions to permanent light-duty work with additional limitations to standing, walking, reaching, and stooping.
  • Case referred for vocational rehabilitation, 13 months post injury.
Approach:

A.C. presented with interest in obtaining an academic certification in the medical office field, which would build on her familiarity with medical settings and use some of the community college credits. After exploring all possible light-duty re-employment options at the employer, a new career goal of certified medical office assistant was mutually decided upon. Rationale was to enhance claimant’s earning capacity to as close to pre-injury wage as possible.

Services Performed:
  • Coordination of comprehensive vocational evaluation to assess abilities, interests, work values and suitable occupational options.
  • Plan development and coordination of a 34-credit-hour academic certificate in Medical Office Assistant.
  • Upon successful graduation, full job placement services were provided to include labor market survey, resume' development, reference development, networking guidance, employer approach strategies, job interview skills training, provision of job leads and post-placement follow-up.
Outcome:

Soon after certification, A.C. obtained career employment with a Federal contractor providing telephonic medical scheduling services. Her new weekly income of $528 exceeded her weekly, pre-injury pay rate of $377, upon which compensation was based. New employment resulted in a total wage-benefit offset. A.C. made a successful new beginning in the workforce, within her skills and abilities.

Case Summary #4 — Long Term Disability, Return-to-Work — On-site job analysis led to doctor's release to work

Background:
  • D. B. was a 38-year-old heavy line engine mechanic with a new car dealership.
  • Diagnosis: Failed back surgery syndrome. His injury was from an at-home fall.
  • High school educated with formal auto-mechanic training, and he expressed interest in returning to work.
  • The attending physician was reluctant to release D. B. despite a gradual improving trend.
  • Referral for vocational case management was 23 months post injury.
Approach:

Consultant developed a close working relationship with the car dealership employer and arranged to perform two on-site job analyses with photography. Consultant conducted both a job analysis of D. B.’s position at injury, and an analysis of an alternate position, Service Writer. The purpose of the analyses was to educate his treatment team, uncover potential accommodations, and identify alternate employment.

Service Provided:
  • Two narrative, on-site job analyses with photography.
  • Exploration and coordination of job accommodation, in order to provide weight-load relief to D. B., at his option.
  • In the course of analyzing the heavy line mechanic position, consultant collaborated with the first-line supervisor and coordinated the availability of jigs and lifts, for D. B.’s use.
  • Then, consultant arranged a rehabilitation meeting with both the attending physician and D. B.
Outcome:

On-site job analyses raised the employer’s awareness of D. B.’s value as an employee and that job accommodation was simple and cost-effective. The physician was provided written and visual documentation of essential functions and physical demands of D. B.’s position, with weight-relief strategies. Upon review, the physician released D. B. to work and D. B. returned to his position the following day. Case closed rehabilitated.

Case Summary #5 — Long-term disability — job development and job search techniques led to suitable re-employment

Background:
  • T. U. was a 37-year-old Heavy Utility Electrical Lineman, in Florida.
  • Diagnosis: Severe ankle fracture, ICD9 824.
  • Presented with long-term specialized utility craft skills and was totally disabled from the required pole climbing of his trade.
  • He had high school education and expressed interest in his avocations of outdoor conservation and wildlife.
  • Case referred for vocational services 8 months post injury.
Approach:

After thoroughly exploring all possible return-to-work options with T. U.’s employer at injury, T. U. and consultant developed a close working relationship toward suitable, career job placement. Based on his transferable skills and learned employer approach strategies, and following a systematic weekly job search plan, T. U. obtained full and suitable re-employment.

Services Performed:
  • All interventions were telephonic and by correspondence.
  • Consultant provided full placement services including: Labor market survey, functional resume’ development, networking skills training, reference development, employer approach strategies, and job interview skills training, job development, employer introductions, and post-placement follow-up.
  • Before each interview, T. U. and consultant carefully practiced answering typical and difficult interview questions.
Outcome:

T. U. obtained career employment with the State of Florida as a Park Ranger within 6 months of initiation of vocational rehabilitation services. His base income with the State was $ 2,200 monthly, which exceeded the LTD wage replacement amount of $ 2,158. New employment resulted in a total wage-benefit offset, and the case closed successfully rehabilitated.

Case Summary #6 — California Workers’ Compensation — coordinating with state-specific plan led to transference of skills to suitable re-employment

Background:
  • B. K. was a 41-year-old rehabilitation nurse, injured in his position at a California hospital, who relocated to Texas.
  • Diagnosis: Status post IDET procedure, chronic pain syndrome—limited to sedentary work.
  • Expressed interest in staying in the nursing field.
  • Case referred for RU-102 plan development, 6 years post injury.
Approach:

In support of B. K.’s goal of nursing at the sedentary exertional level, the consultant collaborated with the medical team, attorneys, the QRC, and a correspondence school. The consultant helped B. K. identify and use his acquired transferable skills toward the certified case manager (CCM) credential.

Services Performed:
  • Consultant worked closely with QRC Monitor to develop and submit an on-time and on-budget RU-102 plan.
  • Rehabilitation process involved the consultant meeting with the claimant to explore fully the field of nurse case management and to discuss employer approaches and transition strategies. Labor market research confirmed the viability of the re-employment goal.
  • A correspondence school was identified and researched for accreditation.
  • As B. K. completed certification-training coursework, consulted conducted job development, job seeking skills trainings, functional resume’ development and facilitated employer introductions.
Outcome:

B. K. completed correspondence coursework within plan timeframes and cost limits. He attended an interview arranged by the consultant, and was hired as a home health service case manager. Case closed rehabilitated, within vocational rehabilitation plan parameters.

Case Summary #7 — Texas Workers’ Compensation — vocational rehabilitation led to suitable re-employment

Background:
  • E.V. was a 33-year-old primarily Spanish-speaking female with previous experience as a housekeeper in the United States and as a nurse in Mexico.
  • Diagnosis: Status post back surgery, chronic pain syndrome, and depression. Whole body impairment of 15%.
  • She expressed interest in using her acquired skills toward light nurse assisting and personal attending work, with a career goal of medication aide.
  • Case referred for vocational services 19 months post injury.
Approach:

Consultant utilized a full team approach, collaborating with the physical therapist, the treating doctor and treating psychiatrist, the claimant’s attorney and the former Texas Rehabilitation Commission (State rehabilitation) - to facilitate suitable re-employment for E. V.

Services Performed:
  • Initial vocational evaluation
  • Meetings with medical providers to help ascertain MMI work capacities and work tolerance
  • Acquired skills analysis, labor market research, collaboration with State rehab toward sponsorship in a short-term certified nurse aide training program
  • Resume’ development, job-seeking skills training, provision of suitable job leads, and employer introductions.
Outcome:

After a 4-month certification program, E.V. obtained a new position as a 3rd-shift nurse aide in a downtown nursing home facility. Based on the rehabilitation team’s recommendation, she continued in ES classes to build her English-language skills and to prepare for GED High School equivalency. The consultant’s vocational rehabilitation approach facilitated E.V. overcoming severe physical and mental disabilities as well as language barriers. E.V. was able to re-enter the workforce even after a long medical employment gap.

Case Summary #8 — Texas Workers’ Compensation — vocational rehabilitation led to suitable re-employment

Background:
  • O.V. was a 41-year-old English and Spanish-speaking female with 19 years experience as a hotel waitress.
  • Diagnosis: Status-post right knee arthroscopy and minescectomy. Whole body impairment of 17%.
  • Case was referred for vocational services during the Impairment Income Benefit phase, 18 months post injury.
Approach:

Consultant worked closely with O.V. and her attorney to establish rapport and develop a suitable re-employment plan. Consulted re-focused O.V. on her acquired skills to plan for new employment with a sit-stand option. The plan also involved an on-site job analysis to set measurable rehabilitation goals for O.V.’s treatment team.

Services Performed:
  • Initial vocational evaluation
  • On-site job analysis, acquired skills analysis, labor market research, job-seeking skills training in regular meetings with O.V.
  • Provision of suitable job leads, employer introductions, and post-placement follow-up.
Outcome:

Ultimately, O.V. successfully interviewed with another restaurant and obtained a new full-time cashier position, which allowed a sit-stand option throughout the workday. Placement was made within the one-year Impairment Income Benefit Period resulting in no (0) Supplemental Benefit exposure. The vocational rehabilitation approach focused on a supportive placement partnership with O.V., assisting her with the confidence and skills needed to approach employers effectively.

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