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Vocational Rehabilitation

Once it is determined that a claimant has a compensable claim, one of the benefits that the claimant may be entitled to is vocational rehabilitation.  To be eligible for vocational rehabilitation the employee must have a disability that that does not allow the employee to perform their prior job.  Usually, when the parties agree that vocational rehabilitation is appropriate, or it is ordered by the Commission, a vocational assessment will be done.  The vocational assessment will usually help the parties determine what path to take in the vocational rehabilitation program.  After the assessment and evaluation is done, the parties will come up with a vocational rehabilitation plan.  The vocational counselor will work with the injured worker and the attorney with development of the plan.  The plan will include a plan for job placement, job development or vocational training.  Some testing may be necessary to determine what type of job may be appropriate for the employee.  The testing can include tests for IQ and physical capabilities.  An FCE or functional capacity exam is usually performed to determine what the functional level of the employee is.  The employee will be tested on lifting, walking, sitting and standing.  These tests will help the vocational counselor determine what “suitable gainful employment” would be for this claimant.  The main goal of vocational rehabilitation is to return the injured worker to suitable gainful employment.