It is the role of the Rehabilitation Coordinator to assist the client's recovery and improved functioning as effectively as possible.
One of the most positive steps in assisting with a client's recovery is making a referral to an approved rehabilitation service provider for a full or specific rehabilitation assessment. These assessments are a requirement for all DVA's rehabilitation clients. Consistent with section 44 of the MRCA [2], section 36 of the DRCA [3] and section 1.2.2 of the VVRS Instrument [4], these assessments must be completed, with recommendations, before any rehabilitation services can be approved.
Once the decision has been made to refer a client, an approved rehabilitation service provider is sought to undertake the assessment of the client's needs and capability to undertake rehabilitation.
The Rehabilitation Coordinator is required to make a request in writing for the specific provider to undertake the rehabilitation assessment and other specific assessment as required (e.g. a home assessment or a vocational assessment).
As part of the referral, the Rehabilitation Coordinator is to provide the rehabilitation service provider with a transaction record number (TRN) and when contacted by the rehabilitation provider, a password to enable the provider to access relevant and appropriate information sourced from the client's file, such as medical reports, copies of ADFRP rehabilitation plans etc.
The date of the referral is to be recorded in R&C ISH to indicate the critical and mandatory timeframes involved from referral to the service provider to completion and receipt of the assessment report:
• 7 calendar days for the service provider to contact the client and begin the assessment process; and
The Rehabilitation Coordinator is to ensure that:
• the client is to be kept informed of the referral process, both directly and in writing;
• client confidentiality is to be maintained; and
• the progress is monitored through the referral and to the completion of the assessment.
The aims of DVA’s whole-of-person rehabilitation approach are outlined in section 1.2 [7] of this library.
DVA’s approach provides an opportunity to look at each client's whole of person needs as they adjust to a new normal after a service related injury or disease. As clients will not always present with “typical” rehabilitation needs, or may have a limited understanding of the range of services available in rehabilitation, it is recommended that a rehabilitation assessment be considered for most clients.
Potential rehabilitation clients are identified in a number of ways:
A medical certificate of total incapacity for work does not preclude a rehabilitation assessment. A rehabilitation assessment is an important tool to identify a client's whole of person needs, and can assist both incapacity and rehabilitation delegates to gain information about the support that the client requires.
A review of medical reports from treating doctors, or independent specialists assessing permanent impairment or incapacity for employment, may also identify rehabilitation needs. It is therefore important that rehabilitation and compensation delegates communicate well to ensure a client-centric focus and to promote sharing of information.
In each of these cases, a referral for a rehabilitation assessment should be made as soon as practical.
Issues that must be considered when making a referral are outlined below.
The urgency of the assessed need/s:
Where needs are urgent and require immediate attention, or a client is at risk because of their service related conditions, this should be clearly communicated in the rehabilitation referral with a request that the assessment should occur as quickly as possible.
It is also expected that in these cases, psychosocial rehabilitation activities will be recommended, which will assist the client to focus on learning to manage their health and wellbeing as effectively as possible. It is important that as much targeted support as possible is provided for these client, and that any treatment needs are discussed with the Rehabilitation Coordinator, even though these needs cannot be met through a rehabilitation plan.
It is anticipated that a higher frequency of contact may occur between the Rehabilitation Coordinator and the rehabilitation provider in these cases.
Choosing a provider
It is expected that Rehabilitation Coordinator will consider the skills, qualifications and experience of rehabilitation providers, when choosing who to refer the client to. It is also important that consideration is given to the specific and individual needs of the clients. For example, the client’s service related condition(s), injury management requirements, whether specific assessments such as vocational assessments or testing, functional capacity assessments or psychosocial assessments have been requested, the client’s location, gender, age or cultural background are likely to influence the choice of provider.
Rehabilitation providers delivering whole-of-person rehabilitation services to clients must meet DVA’s requirements as specified in chapter 11 [10]of this library .
Where referrals are being made for assessments for specific services such as household services, attendant care services, aids and appliances or assistance with motor vehicles, then the assessing providers must be Comcare accredited, but does not need to meet the other DVA requirements.
Where a person has been undertaking an ADFRP or R4R rehabilitation program, while still serving with the ADF, it is preferred that wherever possible, they continue to receive rehabilitation services from the same provider once DVA becomes the rehabilitation authority. This is because this helps to ensure a more seamless transition from Defence to DVA. The client’s preferences will also help to guide this decision.
Once a referral is made to a rehabilitation provider using R&C ISH processing, it is assumed that the provider will accept the referral, unless they contact the Rehabilitation Coordinator and confirm that they are unable to do so.
Issues for Reservists not on Continuous Full Time Service (CFTS)
The Chief of the Defence Force (CDF) is the rehabilitation authority for all Reservists not on CFTS. Rehabilitation services are delivered through the R4R (Rehabilitation for Reservists) Program.
The following issues are important for Rehabilitation Coordinators to be aware of:
Issues for ADF Cadets, Officers of Cadets and Instructors of Cadets
DVA is the Rehabilitation Authority for ADF Cadets, Officers of Cadets and Instructors of Cadets.
Rehabilitation Coordinators must be aware of the following issues:
There are two types of rehabilitation referrals.
The first type, the full rehabilitation assessment is required for the majority of clients.
However the second, a specific service assessment, may be an 'add-on' if appropriate for the client at the time, or as a separate and 'one-off' activity.
Links
[1] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21023%23comment-form
[2] https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2004A01285
[3] https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C1988A00156
[4] https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/F2015L01263
[5] https://clik.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation-policy-library/3-rehabilitation-process/38-dva-rehabilitation-reporting-documents/381-rehabilitation-assessment-report
[6] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21038%23comment-form
[7] https://clik.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation-policy-library/1-introduction-rehabilitation/12-what-are-aims-rehabilitation
[8] https://clik.dva.gov.au/military-compensation-mrca-manuals-and-resources-library/policy-manual/ch-2-claims/23-needs-assessments
[9] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21015%23comment-form
[10] https://clik.dva.gov.au/rehabilitation-policy-library/11-rehabilitation-service-providers
[11] https://clik.dva.gov.au/user/login?destination=comment/reply/21032%23comment-form