Return to Work Services

The goal of return-to-work services is to return the injured worker to substantial gainful employment with a minimum of retraining as soon as possible after an injury occurs. The emphasis is placed on substantial employment with the preinjury employer in the injured worker's preinjury capacity by utilizing transitional (modified or alternate) work.

Depending upon the needs of the injured worker, there are several types of return-to-work services to assist an injured worker in returning to work:

- On-Site Return-to-Work Case Manager

WSI teamed up with six of the larger medical facilities across North Dakota to have registered nurses in place to assist injured workers who seek medical attention at their facilities and designated satellite clinics. These registered nurses assist with coordinating care and restrictions for medical necessity and appropriateness; provide recommendations (they do not make decisions regarding claim compensability); act as a liaison between the injured worker, employer, medical provider, and claims analyst at WSI; and coordinate transitional work.

- Medical Case Manager

WSI has registered nurses on staff who are medical case managers. These case managers are assigned to claims that involve potentially catastrophic or medically complex injuries. These individuals work, as necessary, with the claims analyst, injured worker, and medical providers to assess, plan, coordinate, and implement the options and services needed to support the injured worker in the recovery process and help them return to work.

- Vocational Rehabilitation

If early intervention is not successful in returning the injured worker to work with the preinjury employer, vocational rehabilitation will be assigned. Vocational rehabilitation is a service not provided by staff at WSI, but rather by an independent contracted company. Vocational rehabilitation utilizes a worker's functional capabilities, education, employment history, work experience, and transferable skills to develop a return-to-work plan.

- The Preferred Worker Program

The Preferred Worker Program is designed to encourage the re-employment of North Dakota's injured workers. The program offers cost-saving incentives to North Dakota employers who hire Preferred Workers while, at the same time, assisting injured workers in obtaining gainful employment after a work-related injury.