4.5.29.4 Arrange an Occupational Therapy assessment

Occupational therapists (OTs Occupational therapists (OTs) help people of all ages to improve their ability to perform tasks in their daily living and working environments. They work with individuals who have conditions that are mentally, physically, developmentally, socially or emotionally disabling. They also help them to develop, recover or maintain daily living and work skills. Occupational therapists help clients not only to improve their basic motor functions and reasoning abilities but also to compensate for permanent loss of function. Occupational therapists assist clients in performing activities of all types, ranging from using a computer to caring for daily needs such as dressing, cooking and eating. Physical exercises may be used to increase strength and dexterity, while other activities may be chosen to improve visual acuity and the ability to discern patterns.) conduct assessments to assist Agents in making decisions about the type of support a worker may need as a result of their work-related An injury/disease is work related if it arose out of or in the course of employment and the scope of employment. injury or illness.

Assessments can only be undertaken by OTs who:

Assessments cannot be undertaken by OTs who meet the above criteria if they:

  • have been involved in the treatment or occupational rehabilitation of the worker

  • provided services or advice to the worker’s employer.

See: Occupational therapy services guidelines | AHPRA

Household help services needs assessment

The purpose of a Household help services needs assessment (HHSNA) is to evaluate a worker’s ability to manage cleaning and gardening responsibilities at home after their work-related injury or illness. It will identify strategies to maximise and maintain their independence. These may include recommendations related to adaptive household equipment or household help services.

WorkSafe anticipates the type and frequency of services provided will reduce as the worker recovers. Services should be considered an interim or short-term arrangement, unless the worker has long-term needs due to the nature of their injury or illness.

These assessments should be conducted by a generalised OT Occupational therapy is a client-centred health profession concerned with promoting health and well being through occupation. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by working with people and communities to enhance their ability to engage in the occupations they want to, need to or are expected to do or by modifying the occupation or the environment to better support their occupational engagement . using WorkSafe’s HHSNA form.

See: Arrange a Household help services needs assessment

Equipment trial and prescription

An equipment trial and prescription assessment evaluates a person’s need for equipment or related services required as a result of a work-related injury or illness. It is used to assess, trial and recommend equipment items to measurably improve a worker's function, independence, mobility, community involvement, communication, or safety.

The Equipment Prescription Form (EPF) is used to assess most equipment types.

See: Equipment & related services

Attendant care assessment

A Functional independence review is conducted to assess if a worker requires attendant care services to increase their independence following a work-related injury or illness. It evaluates a worker’s ability to manage their personal care, participate in rehabilitation or retraining activities and undertake activities in the community such as banking and shopping.

These assessments should be conducted by a framework OT using WorkSafe’s Functional independence report form.

See: Attendant care | Framework occupational therapy

Car needs and modifications assessment

A Car needs and modifications assessment is conducted where alterations to a car are reasonably required as a result of a work-related injury or illness, enabling a worker to drive or be transported safely. Alterations may affect the structural integrity of a car, the internal design, occupant seating and restraints or require the installation of adaptive equipment to cater for drivers and passengers with disabilities.

These assessments should be conducted by a framework OT qualified in driver assessment and training, to evaluate the worker's transport and car needs using WorkSafe's Transport needs assessment report form and Vehicle / Car needs and modifications report form.

See: Car modifications | Framework occupational therapy]

Child care assessment

A child care assessment evaluates a worker’s reasonable capacity to perform duties and tasks relating to the direct care of a child, such as feeding and bathing, following a work-related injury or illness.

Recommendations may include the provision of equipment to increase the worker’s capacity to provide childcare independently, or provide replacement childcare services where a worker’s injuries prevent or limit their ability to perform these tasks to the level possible prior to the injury.

These assessments should be conducted by a framework OT using WorkSafe’s report templates where available.

See: Child care services | Framework occupational therapy

Home modifications assessment

A Home modifications assessment is conducted where changes to structure, layout or fittings of a worker’s home may be required, as a result of a work-related injury or illness, that restricts their ability to use standard fittings or facilities. The assessment will provide information to the Agent on the worker’s current home environment, their functional level and any expected issues with the current environment.

These assessments should be conducted by a framework OT using WorkSafe’s Home modifications assessment form.

See: Home modifications | Framework occupational therapy

OT writes report

When writing the assessment report, OTs must:

  • relate recommendations and the report to the specific scope of the assessment referral

  • complete all relevant sections of the assessment report - where a section is not relevant, it should be marked as ‘not applicable’

  • make all attempts to directly observe the worker’s functional capacity (i.e. not relying on interviewing alone)

  • complete a recovery and services plan including a plan to increase the worker’s independence and, if applicable, a plan to cease services

  • communicate the recovery plan with the worker, the treating health practitioner, and any other relevant parties such as a claims manager, to support recovery and return to independence

  • ensure the assessment report is typed, of high quality and error free

  • be objective

  • sign and date the assessment report.

OT submits report

If an assessment report does not meet WorkSafe’s expectations, the Agent can return the report to the OT for amendment at their cost (covered under the initial assessment fee). Examples of this may include the following.

  • A report provided on a customised template, when WorkSafe has mandated use of a specific template.

  • An incomplete report.

  • The clinical justification doesn’t make sense or align with the body of the report.

  • The recommendation is unlikely to achieve measurable improvement in a person’s functioning or progress towards independence (i.e. there are no goals and/or no recovery plan)

  • The recommendation is not within the scope of the referral.

  • The recommendation relates to non-compensable injuries.

  • The recommendation is not within WorkSafe’s legislation or guidelines for funding.

Agents also have the right to refer reports to the WorkSafe Clinical Panel for review and consideration.

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