Services We Provide

Here are just some of the services we provide. Feel free to click on any one of them to learn more about the service, or just scroll down to read them all

RETURN TO WORK PROGRAM

At Independence Incorporated, we take care to ensure all return to work issues are dealt with in a comprehensive and proactive manner. This includes the following:

• Clarification of any work-related restrictions and/or accommodation requirements
• Identification of available return to work options (same, modified or alternate work)
• Development, implementation, and monitoring of graduated return to work plan

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REHAB COORDINATION

Case management support is available to assist with numerous injury or illness claims in the area of rehabilitation coordination. We are experienced in the coordination requirements for clients with singular soft tissue injuries to complex, multi-traumatic injuries as well as multi-systems illness involvement.

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PERSONAL CARE NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Our experienced evaluators including registered nurses and occupational therapists provide comprehensive assessments of the personal care needs of their clients. In the case of automobile accident clients, careful and systematic determinations are made as to those functional limitations that are not related to the accident.

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DISCHARGE PLANNING

To ensure the most optimal transition from hospital to the community for our clients, our staff can assist with comprehensive discharge planning services. This may include home assessments as well as in-hospital personal care needs assessments to accurately determine appropriate support services or devices that may be required. Recommendations for rehabilitation services in the community often result in maintenance of the therapeutic momentum already established in the hospital.

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HOME ASSESSMENT

Helping our clients function at home means improving their ability to return to and function at work. Home assessments address issues of accessibility, perceived and actual stressors, and gauge the number of responsibilities affecting one’s ability to manage daily affairs. These issues and more can impact clients’ abilities to effectively manage at work.

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ERGONOMIC ASSESSMENT

An ergonomic assessment considers the relationship between a person and their work environment. It may take into account physical factors, work systems, and other work-related processes. At Independence Incorporated;

• we ensure the ergonomic assessment service meets identified needs
• use relevant legislation, codes of practice, standards and current research in ergonomics
• ensure a match between people and their activities, equipment, environment, and systems
• include all findings in a written assessment
• Undertake evaluation and follow up as per the contract.

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JOB DEMANDS ANALYSIS

Job Demands Analysis (JDA) takes into account:

• Environmental components
• Sensory components
• Cognitive / Psychosocial factors
• Physical components, such as – lifting / lowering / carrying /pushing / pulling efforts- posture / mobility requirements / aerobic efforts / Repetitive motion efforts / shift exposures (frequency and duration), critical tasks and ergonomic concerns.
• The JDA is often helpful for the following reasons;
• Claims management processes
• Establishment of standard operating procedures
• Establishment of accurate job descriptions
• Identifying high-risk tasks and/or potential ergonomic problems (red flags)
• Identifying additional skills or training needs of employees
• Identifying bona fide occupational requirements
• Designing appropriate functional capacity evaluations
• Development of specific rehabilitation or work conditioning processes
• Identifying appropriate return to work processes/schedules
• Educating new hires

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IMPAIRMENT ASSESSMENT

Our experienced staff is available to assess permanent impairments arising from injuries sustained in automobile accidents. This includes scarring, range of motion and other related impairments.

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VOCATIONAL REHAB ASSESSMENTS (1, 2 & 3 point assessments)

One Point Assessment – Client Interview – The one point assessment involves a visit with the injured or ill client either in their home or in our office. The interview is thorough, systematic and assists in establishing baseline vocational rehabilitation potential.

Two Point Assessment – In the two-point assessment, the client interview is followed (with the client’s signed consent) by either in person consultation or written correspondence with the primary caregivers involved. This process assists in clarifying appropriate support and rehabilitation interventions geared towards maximizing the quality of life and vocational rehabilitation potential.

Three-point Assessments – The three-point assessment complements the client interview and care team consultation with a visit to the worksite and communication with the employer. Some of the many ways this contact is helpful includes:

• clarifying issues related to performance history
• verifying availability of modified work if required
• assessments of worksite conflict issues that may affect return to work plans
• Creating joint team effort approach between management and union in unionized settings

**Information related to medical diagnoses and conditions are not shared with employers. Employers are entitled to know and must be made aware of functional limitations and restrictions affecting the employee’s ability to meet the demands of the job. **

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TRANSFERABLE SKILLS ANALYSIS (TSA)

A Transferable Skills Analysis (TSA) is a comprehensive inventory of work, knowledge and competencies learned by an individual during their work or volunteer experiences and including life activities and/or hobbies that can be transferred to an employment option.

The Transferable Skills Analysis includes a comprehensive file review and a client interview.  The TSA report includes a current Labour Market Analysis.

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LABOUR MARKET RESEARCH

Labour Market Surveys (LMS) provide current research and information on potential occupations thought to be reasonably suited for clients.  LMS identifies employment options that meet the requirements in skills and education and identified on-the-job physical tasks.

LMS reports identify job availability and salaries and are location specific within Manitoba as required.

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RESUME/COVER LETTER PREPARATION

Resume and Cover Letter Development is completed through one on one work with individual clients and incorporates current trends and requirements for professional resumes.

Cover letters are developed both as templates for an on-going job search and individualized for specific applications.

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INTERVIEW COACHING

Interview coaching is completed one on one with clients and includes direct assistance with commonly asked interview questions and, as required, questions for specific job streams or for higher level applications.  Interview Coaching may also include mock interviews and scripted, personalized options for answering difficult questions.

Interview Coaching can assist with questions regarding disclosure, employment gaps and legal/illegal questions.

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JOB SEARCH ASSISTANCE

Job Search Assistance is started when a client is considering or is ready for re-employment or when employment options have been identified. Job Search Assistance is tailored to the needs of each individual client and may include some or all of the following components:

• On-going individual support through client meetings, phone calls, Skype or emails
• Discussion, identification and review of client skills as they relate to potential jobs
• Direct assistance in reviewing and applying to postings
• Resume and cover letter development, interview coaching
• Follow-up support for employment maintenance
• Outreach to potential employers or to employment-related opportunities as required

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THIRD PARTY CASE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT

Independence Incorporated is able to provide case management support services by seasoned, knowledgeable and dependable case managers. Our understanding of insurance policy parameters including limits and entitlements ensures the establishment of realistic client expectations regarding available resources.

Situations, where third party case management support may be considered, include:

• • • External “buffer” required due to marked deterioration in relationship between claimant and insurance case manager or employer
    • Complex file where focused attention is required on numerous fronts including issues pertaining to medical treatment, rehabilitation interventions, domestic factors and vocational concerns.
    • Periods of prolonged heavy caseloads.
    • Independence Incorporated is able to provide case management support services by seasoned, knowledgeable and dependable case managers. Our understanding of insurance policy parameters including limits and entitlements ensures the establishment of realistic client expectations regarding available resources.

Situations, where third party case management support may be considered, include:

• • • Appeal Process –  On occasions where a claim has been declined, an independent case manager would review additional appeal material provided by the Insurer to render an independent decision or, make recommendations for future claims handling, should additional information be required. The independent case manager can coordinate this process and render a decision once all the material has been reviewed.
    • Heavy Caseload Relief – an independent case manager can be contracted to provide additional, temporary staffing in times of heavy caseloads, or vacation planning. Our trained case managers are fully qualified and experienced in the many facets of case management.
    • Complex File Review – our experienced case managers will review complex claim files and make recommendations for future handling. This would include focused attention wherever needed, including issues pertaining to medical treatment, rehabilitation interventions, domestic factors, and vocational concerns.
    • Insurer/Employer Relationship – an external case manager can be contracted to coordinate claims where an external buffer may be required due to marked deterioration between the claimant and the insurance case manager, or employer.
    • Independent Review – an independent case manager can be obtained by the employer/union to review and provide feedback on the claims process to date, make recommendations, and communicate with the Insurer to facilitate these.
    • Other Situations – unsure if we can assist? Please contact us with your needs and we will endeavor to make a recommendation that meets your requirements.

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