FAQ's > Injury Management > What is an Injury Management Consultant?
An injury management consultant is a registered medical practitioner experienced in occupational injury and workplace-based rehabilitation. Injury management consultants are facilitators who will assist insurers, employers, workers and treating doctors find solutions to the problems in complex return to work plans and injury management. Injury management consultants are not involved in the treatment of an injured worker, nor do they provide any opinion on the current treatment regime to the referrer. They assess the nature of the problem and attempt to mediate a solution through discussions with the nominated treating doctor.
The role of the injury management consultant
The role of the injury management consultant is distinctly different from that of the independent medical examiner. An injury management consultant is expected to assess the situation, examine the worker (if necessary) and discuss possible solutions with all parties (particularly the nominated treating doctor).
An injury management consultant does not become involved in commenting to the referrer on:
- the appropriateness of treatment or diagnostic procedures
- liability for a workers compensation claim.
Role of the injury management consultant with each party:
Nominated Treating Doctor
Communicate with the nominated treating doctor regarding the injured worker's readiness for work. The injury management consultant may discuss the following:
- diagnosis
- management plan for the worker, including treatment and return to work
- current work capacity
- availability of suitable duties
- how the NSW workers compensation system operates
- the importance of early return to work
- obtaining agreement on restrictions and timeframes for the return to work process.
Injured Worker
The injury management consultant will discuss returning to work with the injured worker including:
- their recovery from injury
- issues and problems at work
- options for their return to work
- their expectation regarding recovery and return to work.
Employer
The injury management consultant may liaise with the employer to confirm the availability and appropriateness of identified duties and where appropriate, conduct a workplace assessment.
Other service providers
The injury management consultant may liaise with other service providers to assist in determining fitness for work or identifying suitable duties.
Last updated on February 24, 2011 by Galen & Gray