From 1 July 2016, to work with DVA clients, approved rehabilitation provider organisations and their consultants also need to satisfy a number of DVA requirements. These requirements ensure that DVA clients have access to the best possible professional team and also support providers through providing training about DVA’s programs and clients. The DVA requirements are distinct from Comcare’s approval criteria and operational standards.
The DVA requirements do not apply to providers who only undertake specific service assessments, like an activities of daily living/home assessment for household services or attendant care purposes or service provision relating to a particular activity on a client's rehabilitation plan.
Summary of DVA requirements
There are five DVA rehabilitation provider requirements.
- Experience in working with DVA clients or other workers from a similar environment such as police or emergency services personnel.
- Experience in assisting clients with complex medical conditions to move to a new job with a new employer, to change careers and/or move into a new industry.
- Experience in translating specific skills and qualifications to other industries.
- Completion of DVA e-learning courses demonstrating a knowledge of military culture and DVA services.
- Minimum of two years hands on experience working with clients in medical management, vocational and/or psychosocial areas. These three areas constitute DVA’s ‘whole of person’ rehabilitation approach.
Fulfilling the requirements does not of itself guarantee that rehabilitation providers will be engaged by DVA, as the selection of a rehabilitation provider by a DVA rehabilitation delegate depends on a number of considerations including the specific needs of the client (including their preference), geographical location and the availability of types of services.
For further information relating to the selection of a rehabilitation provider by a rehabilitation delegate, please see 11.5 Choosing the Right Rehabilitation Provider in this library.
Failure to fulfil a DVA requirement
Depending on the needs of the client, the rehabilitation delegate may engage a rehabilitation consultant who does not meet all of the requirements, however, further consideration and investigation by the rehabilitation delegate will be necessary. Guidance in relation to the failure to meet specific DVA requirements is outlined below.
1. Experience in working with DVA clients or similar
Where a rehabilitation consultant has not had experience working with DVA clients or with those from a similar background (e.g. police or emergency services), the rehabilitation delegate should consider whether the rehabilitation consultant can contribute to and manage a successful rehabilitation plan outcome taking into account their skills and background they provided. Where necessary, this requirement should be read in conjunction with the requirement to have two-years hands on experience in whole-of-person rehabilitation.
2. Experience in assisting clients with complex medical conditions to move to a new job with a new employer, to change careers and/or move into a new industry; and
3. Experience in translating specific skills and qualifications to other industries
Where a rehabilitation consultant has not satisfied the above vocational requirements, rehabilitation delegates should consider whether the rehabilitation consultant can contribute to and manage a successful rehabilitation plan outcome taking into account their skills and background provided. In some circumstances, the vocational requirements will have no bearing in advancing a rehabilitation plan outcome, particularly where the client is not in need of vocational rehabilitation or the rehabilitation provider does not deliver vocational services (that is, job placements or vocational assessments).
In summary, where a rehabilitation consultant does not fulfil the vocational requirements rehabilitation delegates should consider:
- whether the rehabilitation consultant can contribute to a successful rehabilitation plan outcome taking into account their skills and background; and
- the nature of the services a rehabilitation provider delivers with consideration to the needs of the client.
4. Completion of DVA e-learning courses
All rehabilitation provider consultants working with DVA clients must have completed the following DVA e-learning courses:
- Non-Liability Health Care – Online Training
- Rehabilitation Online
- Understanding the Military Experience
- Rehabilitation Program
These e-learning courses, and information about how to access the modules, are available on the DVA Website. As other appropriate courses become available, DVA will inform providers of details and timeframes for completion.
5. Minimum of two years’ hands on experience working with clients in whole-of-person rehabilitation
Where an individual rehabilitation provider consultant does not have two years’ hands on experience in delivering whole-of-person rehabilitation, professional supervision through an employer-based mentoring program will need to be undertaken for the length of time it requires the individual to gain two years’ experience.
Mentors must meet the DVA rehabilitation provider requirements; therefore, a mentor cannot be someone currently registered with DVA as being mentored. Mentors should co-sign rehabilitation reports and plans. At the end of the period of two years’ experience, the mentor will need to provide DVA with a performance report certifying that the individual rehabilitation consultant meets DVA’s requirements.