RTW coordinator competencies

Return to work coordinators undertake a broad range of activities. Listening, communicating, supporting, leading, cajoling, requesting, mediating, checking, follow-up, writing, resolving. And that's just before breakfast.

An international review1 found return to work coordinators had differing backgrounds. However, people involved in the field suggested there were a number of areas common to the role and the capabilities of the coordinator.

The following table lists the competencies believed to be relevant and important to return to work coordinators. Of course not all coordinators are skilled in every area. Being aware of the relevant areas is important, and a coordinator can always call on others such as external professionals for specific areas of need.

Actions	Ergonomic and workplace assessment	Clinical interviews	Social problem solving	Workplace mediation	Knowledge of business and legal aspects	Knowledge of medical conditions
Meet on-site with worker, supervisor, stakeholders		✘	✘	✘	✘	✘
Inventory/prioritize perceived problems or barriers	✘	✘	✘	✘		✘
Assign responsibilities to implement job modifications	✘		✘	✘	✘
Provide worker training and instruction at the worksite	✘	✘	✘			✘
Follow-up on implementation of job modifications	✘		✘	✘	✘	✘
Resolve differences in plans from multiple providers			✘			✘
Collective brainstorming of possible solutions	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘
Obtain organisational support for job modifications	✘		✘	✘	✘	✘
Brief ergonomic assessment of physical risk factors	✘					✘
Assessment of workplace psychosocial stressors		✘	✘			✘
Direct observation of work tasks	✘					✘
Review daily plan diary with worker		✘				✘
Provide on-site physiotherapy						✘
Develop plan for work modifications	✘		✘		✘	✘
Facilitate access to on-site physician		✘				✘
Review physician restrictions with worker	✘	✘	✘		✘	✘
Discuss accommodation requests with supervisor	✘		✘	✘	✘	✘
Conduct formal job analysis	✘					✘
Meet with health and safety personnel to discuss case	✘		✘	✘	✘	✘
Query supervisor on specific job tasks and activities	✘		✘	✘	✘	✘
Facilitate agreement on acceptable accommodations	✘		✘	✘	✘	✘
Query worker about ways he/she performs job tasks	✘	✘	✘			✘
Advocate / express concern for worker well-being		✘
Meet face-to-face with worker early on		✘
Clarify role of RTW coordinator to worker		✘		✘	✘
Respond to individual concerns of worker	✘	✘	✘			✘
Discuss the possibility of modified work with worker	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘
Generate written report	✘				✘	✘
Follow-up or post RTW ergonomic evaluation	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘	✘

1 Modified from Shaw W, Hong Q-n, Pranksy G, Loisel P. A Literature Review Describing the Role of Return-to-Work Coordinators in Trial Programs and Interventions Designed to Prevent Workplace Disability. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. 2008;18:2-15

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Breadth of RTW activities

RTW Coordinator competencies