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Do
I have to register as a vocational assistance provider?
Yes. “Vocational Assistance Provider” means an insurer or other public or private organization
registered with the Workers’ Compensation Division to provide vocational assistance to injured
workers. Applicants must submit a completed Registration of Vocational Assistance Provider
Application (Form 2814) to become registered. The application must include a description of the
vocational services to be provided, verification of staff certification, a plan for supervising
and training staff, and evidence that the applicant is in compliance with all applicable
state and federal requirements. See OAR 436-120 for more detailed requirements.
A listing of registered vocational rehabilitation provider facilities
is located in Bulletin 151.
Do
I have to be certified to provide vocational assistance?
Yes. Individuals determining workers' eligibility and providing vocational assistance must
be certified by the director and on staff of a registered vocational assistance provider,
insurer or self-insured employer. To become certified, applicants must submit a completed
Vocational Assistance Certification Program Individual Certification application (Form 1880)
demonstrating their qualifications for the specific classification of certification they
are requesting. These classifications include Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors, Vocational
Rehabilitation Interns, and Return-to-Work Specialists. Each class of certification has specific
requirements, described in OAR 436-120.
What
types of certification are there?
1) Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor – allows the individual to determine eligibility and
provide vocational assistance services.
2) Vocational Rehabilitation Intern – allows the individual to gain direct experience. The
intern must be supervised by a certified vocational rehabilitation counselor.
3) Return-to-Work Specialist – allows the individual to provide job search skills instruction,
job development, return-to-work follow up, labor market research, and to determine eligibility
for vocational assistance in most circumstances.
Can
I provide some services without being certified?
Certification is not required for individuals conducting only labor market research and/or
job development. A certified vocational counselor must supervise these individuals.
Do
I have to renew my certification?
Yes. A certified individual must renew their certification every 5 years. During the
5 year certification period, the certified individual is expected to attend training for
a certain number of hours and for certain topics, see OAR 436-120-0820 for specific information.
How
do I get approval to provide training for CEUs?
If you are a certified individual and want to provide training for continuing education
credits (units), submit Form 4619 to the division with a complete description of the training
plan. If you have a power point presentation, attach it to the form. The division will review
the training plan and determine how many, if any, continuing education credits will be approved.
Make sure you provide a certificate of completion to those that attend your training.
What
are professional standards?
Injured workers have the right to be treated in an ethical manner by those providing vocational
services to them. These rights include being fully informed of services available to them
under the vocational assistance and reemployment rules; being fully informed of the purpose
and results of testing and evaluation, except as limited by ORS 192.525; and being recommended
only for suitable employment.
Registered
vocational assistance providers and certified individuals will comply with the generally
accepted standards for the vocational rehabilitation profession. They will not violate any
applicable state or federal civil rights law; engage in or tolerate sexual harassment of
a worker, enter into a relationship with the worker to promote personal gain or for the gain
of a person or organization in which they have an interest. They will not commit fraud, misrepresent,
or make a serious error or omission, in connection with an application for registration or
certification; in their reports or return to work plans, or vocational assistance activities
or responsibilities as a vocational assistance provider.
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