FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS: (VOCATIONAL)
WHAT IS AN EMPLOYABILITY ASSESSMENT?
ANSWER
Commonly referred to as a vocational assessment or as ‘job matching’, this is a systematic process of identifying a client’s abilities, aptitudes, values, traits, skills, education, work preferences and experience, and pair these with reasonable employment options. Employment demands and the environment in which the person had previously been employed are also considered. Once this information has been obtained, it can be compared to the impairments or disabilities and will allow the evaluator to present reasonable and effective vocational alternatives.
WHY WOULD YOU REQUEST AN EMPLOYABILITY ASSESSMENT?
ANSWER
An employability or vocational assessment would be prudent if, after several months post illness/ injury, the client has not returned to their pre-exiting job, or if the client has not made significant recovery from their illness/ injury to return to their previous employment.
In long term disability terms, it may be important to investigate vocational alternatives before the ‘change of definition’ date occurs. If a client is deemed employable as a result of assessment, this determination will serve to expedite the claimants return to function and speed file closure.
This type of assessment can also provide a basis for career counseling. Including counseling into the process empowers the client, and increases the potential for successful return to work.
Finally, the client is now aware of what they can once again achieve, based upon their vocational profile (i.e. physical abilities, education and aptitudes). In addition to this we can also provide the client, if deemed necessary, with a sample listing of employers to follow up with as they commence their job search.
WHAT IS A LIFE CARE PLAN AND WHEN WOULD ONE BE NECESSARY?
ANSWER
Certified Life Care Planners develops plans of care for injured clients, outlining their annual and lifetime costs for long-term care. All areas of care are investigated, such as: physician follow-up, medical supplies and assistive devices, specialty equipment, maintenance of devices/ equipment, supplies, medications, transportation, therapies, and long-term residential facility costs to name a few. This type of intervention is typically performed on catastrophic-type injuries and is commonly used by attorneys for settlement or trial purposes. A Life Care Plan may be developed for a variety of catastrophic cases including but not limited to the following: Traumatic Brain Injuries, Spinal Cord Injuries, Anoxic and Hypoxic Brain Injuries, Amputations, Cerebral Palsy, Birth Injuries (CP, Shoulder Dsytocia, etc.), Orthopedic Injuries, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Toxic Exposures, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, and others).