A nurse case manager (NCM) is a registered nurse who helps coordinate medical care and support recovery for injured employees. WSI employs and contracts with nurse case managers who work with injured employees, health care providers, and employers throughout the return-to-work process.
Use the sections below to understand what to expect and how a nurse case manager supports an injured employee's recovery.
- Complete the initial contact to gather information
- Maintain contact with the injured employee, health care provider, employer, vocational case manager (if assigned), and claims adjuster
- Attend medical appointments as needed (the injured employee may request private time with the provider)
- Answer questions about medical care and the return-to-work process
- Coordinate treatment recommendations and monitor recovery
- Obtain and review functional capabilities
- Provide education to support recovery
- Provide hands-on medical care
- Diagnose medical conditions
- Prescribe medication
- Provide transportation
- Maintain contact with the nurse case manager
- Provide medical updates
- Attend all scheduled appointments
- Participate in treatment recommendations
- Maintain contact with the employer
- Follow functional capabilities on and off the job
- Notify the nurse case manager of the return-to-work date
- Works with the injured employee, provider, and employer to develop a safe return-to-work plan
- Provides job descriptions to the health care provider
- Obtains functional capabilities from the provider
- Coordinates return-to-work efforts
Functional capabilities
The injured employee’s physical abilities as determined by a medical provider.
Transitional work
Temporary work that allows the injured employee to safely remain in the workplace.
Modified work
The injured employee’s regular job adjusted to match current abilities.
Alternate work
Different job duties if the injured employee cannot perform the regular job.
Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)
When recovery has stabilized and no further improvement is expected.
Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)
A test used to determine safe activity levels.
Workability
An assessment of current functional abilities.
Work Conditioning Program
A program that helps improve strength and endurance.
Work Hardening Program
A program that uses real or simulated work tasks to prepare the injured employee to return to work.
On-site Nurse Case Management
Nurse case managers are located at select medical facilities throughout North Dakota. If a clinic is not listed, a nurse case manager may still be assigned.
Bismarck
CHI St. Alexius Occupational Health - Bismarck
Mid Dakota Worklife - Bismarck
Sanford Occupational Health - Bismarck
Fargo
Sanford Occupational Health - Fargo
Grand Forks
Minot
Out-of-state Nurse Case Management
Injured employees who live or receive treatment outside of North Dakota may be assigned an out-of-state nurse case manager to support recovery.