Is Disability Management the Career for You?

Return to work coordinators and disability management professionals work collaboratively with management, unions or employee organizations, insurance providers, government agencies, health care providers and others to assist the worker in safely returning to the workplace. They need skills and knowledge in the following domains:

• Disability management theory and practice
• Legislation and benefit programs
• Labour-management relations
• Communication and problem-solving skills
• Disability case management
• Return-to-work coordination
• Health, psychosocial, prevention and functional aspects of disability
• Program management and evaluation activities
• Ethical and professional conduct

Because disability management is a complex field, combining skills in all of these areas, successful practitioners come from many backgrounds.  Some have previous education in such fields as health, rehabilitation, occupational health and safety, business, labour relations, benefit administration or vocational rehabilitation as well as experience working in organizations. Others have practical experience gained in the workplace participating in health and safety committees, administering benefit/insurance programs, advocating for workers or participating in negotiating committees.