-a89a480.png/:/cr=t:20.65%25,l:0%25,w:100%25,h:50%25/rs=w:1209,h:605,cg:true)
OT Job Coaching for RTW
Onsite Occupational Therapy Support During the Return-to-Work Process
OT Job Coaching provides individualized, workplace-based support to help an employee safely and successfully transition back to work following injury, illness or a change in functional abilities.
A Registered Occupational Therapist (OT) works directly with the employee in the actual workplace to observe how they are managing their job duties, identify barriers as they arise and provide practical strategies to support work performance.
Job Coaching may be incorporated into a graduated return-to-work program, used when an employee is having difficulty progressing with an existing return-to-work plan, or provided following a Functional Workplace Assessment or Job Match Assessment when additional workplace support is recommended.
Learn More
Interested in learning more about OT Job Coaching? Connect with us to discuss how this service can support a safe and successful return to work.
Purpose of OT Job Coaching
The purpose of Job Coaching is to support the employee in applying appropriate strategies, accommodations and work techniques while performing their actual job duties.
While a return-to-work plan may identify suitable hours, duties and accommodations, challenges do not always become apparent until the employee begins performing the work.
Direct workplace observation allows the Occupational Therapist to assess how the employee is functioning within the real work environment and provide practical support to address identified barriers.
The goal is to promote a safe, progressive and sustainable return to work while supporting the employee in becoming increasingly independent in managing their job demands.
What Can OT Job Coaching Include?
Depending on the employee, job and return-to-work goals, the Occupational Therapist may:
- Observe the employee performing actual work tasks
- Review the employee's current return-to-work plan, restrictions or functional abilities
- Identify physical, cognitive, behavioural, psychosocial or environmental barriers affecting work performance
- Provide individualized instruction and strategies for completing work tasks safely and effectively
- Teach pacing, task planning, energy-conservation and work-rest strategies where appropriate
- Develop strategies to manage cognitive demands such as attention, memory, organization, task sequencing or multitasking
- Review body mechanics, positioning and safe work techniques
- Assist the employee with learning or re-learning job routines following an extended absence from work
- Trial workplace accommodations, equipment or task modifications and assess their effectiveness
- Break complex job tasks into manageable steps where appropriate
- Help the employee develop strategies for managing increasing workload or job demands during a graduated return to work
- Identify barriers affecting progression through the return-to-work plan
- Provide education to the employee and workplace regarding recommended strategies or accommodations, within the employee's consent
- Collaborate with the employee, supervisor and Return-to-Work or Disability Management team as appropriate
- Recommend adjustments to duties, strategies, accommodations or the progression of the return-to-work program where indicated
- Complete follow-up visits to assess progress and modify strategies as the employee becomes more independent
Practical Support for a Sustainable Return to Work
Connect with us to receive a customized quote estimate for this service and workplace assessments that may compliment OT job coaching within your existing RTW/accommodation program.
When May Job Coaching Be Helpful?
OT Job Coaching may be helpful when:
- An employee is beginning a graduated return-to-work program
- An employee has returned to work but is having difficulty managing some aspects of the job
- Functional abilities have changed following an injury or illness
- Cognitive difficulties affect memory, concentration, organization, task sequencing, problem solving or work pace
- Fatigue, reduced endurance or pain affects the employee's ability to sustain work activities
- The employee needs support learning new strategies or modified methods of performing job tasks
- Workplace accommodations have been introduced and their effectiveness needs to be assessed
- The employee is returning after an extended absence and requires support rebuilding work routines or tolerances
- Progress through a return-to-work program has plateaued or workplace barriers are delaying progression
- A Functional Workplace Assessment or Job Match Assessment has identified a need for additional workplace-based support
How Job Coaching Fits Into Return-to-Work Planning
Job Coaching can be provided as a stand-alone service or as part of a broader Occupational Therapy return-to-work program.
Where additional assessment is required, Job Coaching may be combined with:
- OT Functional Workplace Assessment – to identify functional barriers and workplace accommodation needs
- Job Match Assessment – to compare documented functional abilities with actual job demands
- Job Demands Analysis / Physical Demands Analysis – to establish objective information about the physical and cognitive requirements of the position
- Ergonomic Assessment – to address workstation, equipment or task-related ergonomic concerns
Together, these services can help move return-to-work planning from assessment and recommendations to practical implementation in the workplace.
Supporting a Graduated Return to Work
During a graduated return-to-work program, as hours, duties, productivity expectations or task complexity increase, the Occupational Therapist can observe how the employee responds to changing job demands and identify problems before they become significant barriers to continued work participation.
Recommendations may include changes to task sequencing, pacing, workload, work-rest schedules, equipment, work methods or other workplace accommodations where appropriate.
The frequency of Job Coaching can decrease as the employee develops effective strategies and becomes more independent in managing their work.
Job Coaching for Physical and Cognitive Job Demands
Work performance involves more than physical ability.
Depending on the employee's needs, OT Job Coaching can address physical demands such as lifting, reaching, standing, repetitive activity and work tolerance, as well as cognitive and behavioural demands such as concentration, memory, organization, communication, work pace, decision-making and managing multiple tasks.
This allows the Occupational Therapist to consider the whole job and how the employee is functioning within the actual workplace.
Employee Consent
When Job Coaching involves an individual employee, informed consent is obtained before the service begins and before initial assessment findings are shared with the employer.