Onsite Transitional Work Therapy

Transitional work therapy is a worksite service that is ordered by an injured employee's physician and approved by the MCO. Transitional work therapy is performed by a licensed occupational or physical therapist and uses functional work tasks to progress the employee safely to a target job. The therapist focuses on ergonomics, proper body mechanics, training in safe work practices, stretching and task progression in the injured employee's treatment plan. The therapist may also complete a functional written job analysis on the target job. Transitional work therapy can be an element of the medical treatment program or as a component of a vocational rehabilitation plan.

Clinic versus Transitional Work Therapy

Transitional work therapy compliments traditional clinic therapy. When an employee has had surgery and/or the injury is acute, clinic based occupational or physical therapy services are key to promoting body strength, function and mobility. When the employee is not ready to return to work or has not been making progress in their restrictions, clinic based therapy is indicated. Clinic therapists may use modalities, hands on techniques and /or specific exercises using clinic equipment to meet therapeutic goals. An employee may progress to transitional work therapy at the worksite when he/she has made key clinical gains and has reached medical stability. The therapist will use productive work activities at the worksite and the employee completes his/her job tasks to complete therapy.

Benefits of Transitional Work Therapy

The longer that an employee is away from his/her job, the more difficult it will be for a full return to work, increasing costs for the employer. By using an aggressive transitional work program and utilizing transitional work therapy at the worksite, employers can ensure an earlier and safe return to work, controlling the employer's costs.

When is Transitional Work Therapy Appropriate?

An injured employee may be appropriate for transitional work therapy when:

• An employer experiences difficulty assigning job tasks for an employee returning to work with restrictions or with the progression of safe and productive work tasks.
• Employee reports increased symptoms after returning to work.
• Physician is not gradually progressing work restrictions.
• High physical demands are exposing employee to substantial risk for re-injury.
• Physician requests permanent job modification, job reassignment or other accommodations.
• A functional job analysis has not been completed for the original job.
• Work status provided by the physician is unclear or unrealistic based on diagnosis.

If you would like to discuss the use of transitional work therapy at your worksite or have an injured worker that you think may benefit, please contact your claims manager.