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Therapy
Programs: Industrial Rehab
| Work Hardening
For the limited number of patients with behavioral and
vocational dysfunction, Work Hardening may be indicated.
Work Hardening programs are interdisciplinary and address
the physical, functional, behavioral, and vocational
needs of the injured worker, with the goal of returning
to work.
Work
Hardening Guidelines
Patient Eligibility
- To
be eligible for Work Hardening, a patient must:
- Have
a targeted job or job plan for return to work at
the time of discharge.
- Have
stated or demonstrated willingness to participate.
- Have
identified physical (systemic neuromusculoskeletal),
and vocational deficits that interfere with work.
- Be
at the point of resolution of the initial or principle
injury at which participation in the Work Hardening
program can be safely tolerated.
-
Work Hardening may begin only after the completion
of the Work Hardening assessment.
Program
Content
- Development
of program goals based upon specific job requirements.
- Techniques
to develop functional tolerance, strength endurance,
movement, flexibility, motor control, and cardiovascular
fitness related to the performance of work related
tasks.
- Practice,
modification and instruction in simulated or real
work activities.
-
Education related to safe job performance and injury
prevention
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Provision of behavioral and vocational services as
determined by the respective Work Hardening provider.
- Promotion
of patient responsibility and self management programs.
- Provision
of multi-hour sessions at a minimum of 4 hours and
a maximum of 8 hours, 5 days per week for up to 8
weeks.
- Assist
the patient to obtain as appropriate:
- Alcohol
and other chemical dependence counseling
- Engineering
and ergonomic services
- Medical
services
- Nutrition
and weight control services
- Orthotic
and prosthetic services
- Smoking
cessation counseling
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