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Recovery from injury is a team effort

Everyone plays a role

Working to well starts with working together.

A successful return-to-work journey requires a team who works together, stays connected and shares their knowledge and expertise. It also requires a plan and that starts with each member having a clear understanding of their role and responsibility, to you and the larger team.

So, meet the people in your corner and learn about their roles and how they, and you, will work together for a safe recovery.

Learn about your Return to Work team by selecting a team member. Find more details at wcb.ns.ca

A safe and timely return to work takes teamwork – just ask Shana Vidito.

Employer

Your employer plays a primary role in your recovery plan throughout the entire process, from reaching out to your WCB and health care partners, to providing modified duties as part of your recovery.

Learn more about all the ways your employer will work to have you feeling better, sooner. 

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WCB Case Worker

Your WCB case worker keeps the team, and you, connected and communicating with the goal being to get you back to the way things were before the injury. 

Learn more about all the ways your WCB Case Worker will keep your entire team connected.  

 

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Health Care Provider

Your health care service provider plays a vital role in formulating a plan for your successful return-to-work as well as communicating that plan with your larger team. They also understand the importance of helping you stay active and connected.

Learn more about all the ways your health care provider will work with you on your journey to recovery.   

 

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Your Employer's role and responsibilities

Your employer plays the most important role in your recovery and successful return to the workplace. By staying in touch with you, and providing transitional or modified duties, your employer is instrumental to your recovery and safe return to your pre-injury job. Here are some roles your employer plays:

  • Supports your recovery by arranging appropriate access to health care when you are injured at work.
  • Works with your health care provider to determine job duties and workplace modifications.
  • Notifies WCB Nova Scotia when a worker’s injury requires medical attention or lost time from work.

Watch how different Employers

played an important role in an injured workers recovery plan.

Your WCB Case Worker's role and responsibilities

Your WCB case worker is committed to supporting you through your recovery and minimizing the impact of injury in your life. They want to help you return to your normal routines, as soon and as safely as possible. Here are some of the things your case worker does:

  • Monitors your recovery and supports you through the claims process.
  • Coordinates and monitors the success of any required health care and rehabilitation services.
  • Connects with your employer to support job duty and workplace modification options.

Your WCB case worker might request that you attend a case conference. What is it?

As formal as it sounds, a case conference is simply a conversation between you, your employer, health care provider/doctor, and WCB case worker that allows for adjustments to be made to your treatment plan, while keeping everyone informed and on the same page. Your return-to-work team wants to provide you with the best treatment path so you can get back to your normal routine. This meeting can take place face-to-face, or by telephone, depending on the circumstances. Often, it is requested by the WCB case worker in consultation with your health care provider. They are carefully monitoring your progress and may have identified a need to check in with everyone who is supporting your recovery. A case conference is not always needed, particularly when everything is progressing as expected.

Watch how different members of the WCB support team

played an important role in an injured workers recovery plan.

Your Health Care Provider's role and responsibilities

Your health care providers want to set you on the best path to recovery possible. They work closely with you, your employer, and your WCB case worker to create a plan that helps you stay connected and involved in the process. Here are some of your health care provider’s responsibilities:

  • Sets the course of action for your recovery plan. Determines what you can and can’t do, physically.
  • Speaks to your employer to better understand your work environment and job demands. Explores workplace modifications or transitional duties that can help you stay connected to the workplace during recovery.
  • Provides information to your WCB case worker, for overall coordination of your return-to-work plan.

Watch how different Health Care Providers

played an important role in an injured workers recovery plan.

One of the most important team members is you.

Understand your role in your return-to-work plan.

injured worker at physiotherapy appointment

What you can do:

  • Let your employer know immediately if you have been injured on the job
  • Actively participate in any health care treatment as part of your recovery plan
  • Provide your WCB case worker with any updates or barriers to your recovery plan
  • Explore transitional duties with your employer
  • Stay in touch with your co-workers

Benefits of actively participating in your recovery plan:

  • Helps you stay active and provides a sense of purpose
  • Minimizes the impact on you and your family
  • Maintains your sense of confidence and value by shifting your focus from what you “can’t do” to what you “can do”
  • Allows you to stay in contact with co-workers and your workplace
stretching exercises help prevent injury

Transitional duties can assist in an early and safe recovery

When an injury occurs, your goal, and the goal of your employer, is to get back to the way things were before the injury. Transitional duties keep you connected to work during recovery when it's more important than ever for your physical and mental well-being.

What are transitional duties?

Transitional, or modified, duties are any temporary changes to your job that align with your functional abilities after injury. In other words, duties that match what you are able to do.

Why are they important?

Transitional duties are designed to be meaningful and productive in order to help you recover and contribute to valuable work.

How are they determined?

If you are unable to return to your job after injury, a functional abilities assessment will be performed by a health care provider. In addition to mapping out a road to recovery, the health care provider works with your employer and WCB case worker to determine suitable transitional duties and a date when they can be implemented as part of your return-to-work plan.

What is the goal?

Transitional duties play an important role in your recovery process. When you return to transitional duties, your team will work with you to assess and progressively increase your duties as your ability improves. A date to return to regular duties will be determined at the outset and that is the goal your whole team will work toward, together.

Learn more about transitional duties.

It's important to stay connected

  • Submit forms, monitor claims, and communicate securely. get started now

  • Say "Yes" to coffee
    with co-workers

  • Check in with your boss

  • Keep doctor, chiropractor or physiotherapist appointments