Outsource Rehabilitation

Outsource

Rehabilitation

Co-ordinator

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Training Services

Education plays a crucial part in the prevention of injury. North Queensland Therapy Services offers the following training programs for employers

• Back Care Education Training
• Office Ergonomics Training
• Manual Handling Training

Sam has been designed to assist us with our manual handling training packages. Posters of Sam are available to reinforce training messages that have been previously discussed.

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Rehabilitation Services

In many cases injured parties can return to work on alternative duties and rehabilitation programs.

Assessment of future needs or assistance required for domestic activities and individual work and cognitive rehabilitation plans provide cost effective solutions to safe and appropriate returns to the workforce and promotion of independent living.

Alternative work options are explored, suitable duties programs developed and progress reports maintained (case management).

The recently introduced Back-Care Training Program is an informative an invaluable tool for injury prevention and rehabilitation.

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Case Management Services

In many cases injured parties can return to work on alternative duties and rehabilitation programs.

• Assessment of current needs or assistance required for everyday activities and work
• Alternative work options are explored, suitable duties programs developed and progress reports maintained (case management).

We also have experienced therapists who are able to coordinate and assist with job redeployment. We are able to access experienced psychologist for meaningful vocational assessments and counselling as required.

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Driving Assessments

Anna Nicholls is a qualified Driving Assessor offering assessment and rehabilitation services covering physical, cognitive, perceptual and behavioural aspects of driving.

The assessment process includes an off-road cognitive, behavioural and functional capacity evaluation, followed by an on-road assessment. A qualified driving school also attends the on-road assessment which is conducted on a pre-determined route in a manual or automatic vehicle with modifications if required. Ausroad Medical Guidelines must be met for an on-road assessment to take place.

Individual programs targeting and remediating driving difficulties are prescribed, aiming to promote safe and independent driving.

Education and advice regarding vehicle selection and modifications, license issues and insurance obligations are offered as part of the rehabilitation process.

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Pre-employment Functional Assessments

Different jobs require different capacities that can not be measured in an interview situation. If a worker does not have the required capacities there is a risk of mismatch between the new employee and job demands and possibly an injury or aggravation of a pre-existing condition. The occupational therapists of North Queensland Therapy Services will screen the physical capacities of your potential employees for you.

Before pre-employment functional assessments take place a precise Job Task Analysis is performed covering all duties and aspects of the position to be filled.

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Medico-legal Assessments

Comprehensive and accurate disability and Medico-legal Functional Capacity Assessments determine what a person is able to and restricted from doing after injury or trauma. Effects to their domestic and work environments are examined.

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Worksite Services

• ergonomics
• safety audits
• job-task analysis
• identifying suitable work duties

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Back Care Education Programs

Back Care Education Programs provide participants with the knowledge and practical strategies for the prevention and management of back injuries. This is a multi-disciplinary program which involves an occupational therapist, physiotherapist, psychologist and dietician. It assists participants to take responsibility for the care of their back at home and at work.

The program is conducted over 2 mornings every 4 to 6 weeks dependent on bookings.

For further details please contact Addie Jones.

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Occupational Overuse Disorder

This program will provide participants with the knowledge and practical stategies for self-managing their condition.  Information provided is a multi-faceted and focuses on participants taking responsibility for their condition at home and work through greater understanding of posture, exercise, pain management techniques, movement principles, correct work practices and work simplification techniques.  The program is aimed to those persons who may be currently off work or have returned to work and are attempting to manage their condition.

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Manual Handling Training

Manual Handling Training is one of the programs recommended for workers who perform physically orintated work.  There are three main methods of training workers the skills to work in their environment safely.  Programs can be tailored to the individual needs of employment.

Group Training, Train the Trainer and Competency Based are the three methods of training.  Group sessions are not recommended to be any larger than 15 persons per group.  Competency Based Training is a two step process including a Worksite Visit of Manual Handling Procedures and Group Training.

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Toolbox Training

Toolbox training provides a comprehensive, one-off complete overview of all health and safety aspects specific to a certain workplace.  Toolbox training is a 1/2 day course that incorporates the following theory and practical sessions:

• Anatomy of the spine
• Competency based manual handling training
• importance of PPE-Eye safety and hearing protection
• Heat Stress - Hydration, sun protection
• Lifestyle Activities
• Common musculoskeletal injuries

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Life Balance Workshop

The Life Balance Workshop hones in on key indicators

• To understand what emotional energy is and activities and attitudes to refill our emotional energy tanks.
• Becoming and staying motivated - understanding and becoming passionate.
• Understanding feelings and communication and how to improve these skills in our everyday life.
• Physical needs of our body amd the impact of our well-being.

Individual and Group Activities will include:

• Mind mapping- individually and in groups
• Creating individual life balance cards
• Invigorating in movement and posture

The Life Balance Workshop is a 1 day course.

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Hand Dominance Re-training

Occupational Therapists are able to assess the residual function of the upper limbs and commence a compensation program, which may involve:

• Non-dominance hand training
• Prescrition of equipment and aides to facilitate independence and safety.

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Job Task Analysis

A Job Task Analysis teamed with a Functional Capacity Assessment will determine if there is a match between a worker's functional abilities and the physical demands required to perform the job tasks.  From this analysis, it is possible to identify physical job demands and compare these with an injured worker's physical abilities to plan for an early and safe return to work.

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Office Ergonomics Training

Workers in offices often think they are immune to injuries due to the "light" nature of their work.  These workers are however often at risk to Occupational Overuse Injuries (OOS).

The following methods to train staff are available:

1. Train in Groups
2. Individual Training and
3. Combination of Training Session and Individual Session

Group sessions are not recommended to be any larger than 10-12 people.  Time of the group session is approximately 45-60 minutes.  Individual assessments range from 4-6 people assessed per hour.

Content of Training

1. How muscles work
2. injuries and their causes in relation to office environments
3. How to set up a workstation
4. Stetches and exercises.

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Postural Re-training Program

Poor posture is often the basis for advancing degenerative conditions, aggravating pre-existing musculoskeletal conditions and causing pain and discomfort.  Posture is also associated with how a person feels and how they look.  For some people good posture is a very difficult habit to obtain.

Before this program can commence, the following is required:

• The individual must have some upper back movements ie. It will not assist if there is a fixed flexion deformity that is irreversible.
• The individual must want to change their posture-there is no use in commencing a program if the person who requires posture changes does not want to participate.

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Vocational Training

A vocational assessment is required to identify potential return to work options through assessments of the injured workers current physical ability along with their transferable skills.  This also assesses individual abilities, aptitude, vocational interests, needs and personality to assist in the identification of realistic and achievable employment goals.

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Return to Work Program

Early return to work after an injury has been shown to increase the likelihood of job retention.  Implementation of pain and stress management strategies in a real life work setting promotes self management of symptoms.

Services provided include:

• Work Site Visits to analyse a workers' critical job demands and the environment they work in.
• Worker interview and physical screen to establish a baseline of the workers capacity.
• Design a suitable duties plan, which matches the workers' capacity to the work tasks, including modifying the work environment, to promote a gradual return to work at a previous job or to a transitional job.
• Monitoring and upgrading the suitable duties program, which includes communication with medical and rehabilitation professionals and the employer.

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Community Re-entry Program

Active rehabilitation programs are provided in the clients home and nearby community facilities.  Cognitive Compensatory Statistics are developed and implemented in real life situations.

The Occupational Therapist can design, implement and monitor a work trial for clients for whom work re-entry is a feasible option.

North Queensland Therapy Services has links with a community based social worker to assist with the transition into independent or semi-independent living should this be an attainable goal.

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