The Community Reintegration program works toward reintegrating patients back into their former work environment, whenever possible. Returning to work is most successful when people can retain the job they held prior to injury, capitalizing on pre-injury success and the social relationships and support from their prior employer.
Patients often work in non-clinical departments throughout the hospital in areas closely relating to their work needs. This gives the patients an opportunity to demonstrate their ability to perform work-related tasks.
Once patients return to work, the CR staff visits the worksite to ensure things are going well, slowly tapering off as the patient and employer feels more comfortable.
When patients cannot return to work post-injury, the CR team helps with career exploration, interest testing, and assistance with returning or applying to a university or trade school.
Percentage of Craig patients who do not have insurance coverage for vocational services
“We’ve found that if we can connect with the employer early, the employers are often very willing to help our patients return to their former jobs. Our grads feel a sense of security when they can return to something they know.”
Tiffany Heck, Community Reintegration Supervisor
“We concentrate on each patient’s unique objectives in order to achieve independence. Returning to work after an injury brings a sense of stability, meaning and enjoyment. In some cases, it’s a big piece of our identity, so helping patients return to that role is our main focus.“
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