What It’s Like Starting Your Career in Occupational Rehab

Graduating university soon? Already graduated and job searching? Why not consider a career in occupational rehab! Occupational rehabilitation involves a hands-on process in getting injured workers back to work in a safe and timely manner after they have faced a workplace injury. It is one of the most meaningful career paths for allied health professionals as you are supporting individuals in getting back to their regular lives and giving them confidence to return to work. This blog will discuss what it’s like starting your career in occupational rehab, what to expect in the role, what skills you will develop and why this is a rewarding and confidence-building way to begin your career.

What Is Occupational Rehabilitation?

In more technical terms, occupational rehabilitation refers to a “process aimed at maximizing work participation and restoring meaningful function for individuals with impairments, utilizing a holistic, multi-modal approach that includes prevention, rehabilitative treatment, and adaptive strategies” (Aragaki et al., 2020). Essentially, a career in occupational rehab looks towards supporting injured workers to recover and return to work safely.

Within this industry, you are also able to work and collaborate with a variety of different stakeholders. For example, employers, insurers, medical professionals and of course workers. This could provide you with exposure to a variety of different industries and workplaces, hence, learning new things every day. Therefore, if this sounds like something you would enjoy, you should consider a career in occupational rehab!

Who Is Occupational Rehab Suited To?

Occupational rehab is a very diverse career path and is suited to a variety of allied health professions such as Occupational Therapists, Exercise Physiologists, Physiotherapists, Registered Nurses, Psychologists and Rehab Counsellors. Additionally, a career in occupational rehab is certainly suited to people who enjoy helping others and solving problems, no matter the complexity. Being a rehab consultant is also a great career option for those looking for a balance of clinical, workplace, and case management work.

Your First Few Months in Occupational Rehab

Although it is exciting graduating university and coming into the workforce, starting your first full-time role can sometimes seem like a daunting experience. However, there are always ways to make it seem less intimidating. For example, at Recovery Partners we have our Graduate Program to help you kickstart your career in occupational rehab at your own pace.

Within our program you will be able to:

• Learn at your own pace.
• Shadow different consultants to help develop your own style.
• Follow easy, comprehensive online modules.
• Learn legislation, processes, and workplace systems.
• Catch up with your team leader regularly.
• Quarterly talent maps to guide career development.
• Get to know our executive team.
• Build confidence in case management and stakeholder communication.

A Typical Day in Occupational Rehab

Whilst no two days are the same in occupational rehab, as you could be working in a variety of different environments and conducting a variety of assessment types, a typical day in the life of a rehab consultant can look like:

• Managing a caseload of different injured workers.
• Speaking with workers, employers, and treatment providers to create positive outcomes.
• Conducting workplace assessments and visits, ergonomic assessments, ADL assessments, functional assessments, etc.
• Attending medical case conferences.
• Developing return-to-work plans and reviewing progress.
• Completing reports and documentation.

Skills You Will Develop

There are a variety of transferrable skills that you will develop in a career in occupational rehab, some of these include:

• Communication and relationship-building.
• Problem-solving and critical thinking.
• Time management and organisation.
• Confidence in managing complex situations.
• Understanding of injury management and workplace health.  

Not only can these skills be applied during your career in occupational rehab, but these skills will translate across all of the career paths and job settings you experience in your allied health career.

The Most Rewarding Parts of the Job

A career in occupational rehab is a very rewarding way to begin your career. As this is a very people focused industry, you will be making a positive impact on people’s lives, both personally and professionally.

As a rehab consultant you will be helping people achieve meaningful recovery outcomes. You can play a key role in helping someone progress from being unable to work to safely returning to their pre-injury duties. Not only is this a significant recovery outcome, but you are also contributing to better mental health and wellbeing for them, as meaningful work can support confidence, social engagement, and a sense of normality during recovery. Therefore, you can make a positive impact on individuals and workplaces.

Aside from the people aspect, a career in occupational rehab provides many opportunities for growth. You can experience a great variety of roles such as a leader, manager, account manager, etc and also grow your seniority.

Common Challenges and How You Overcome Them

Like all jobs and careers, there are some challenges that you may run into. A career in occupational rehab can present challenges such as navigating complex cases and having to be aware of different legislations and compensation schemes.

However, with robust support systems in place these challenges can be faced with ease and tackled head on. At Recovery Partners specifically, we have a variety of systems in place that can help you with any challenging moments you encounter. For example:

• Regular case file reviews.
• Robust QA systems.
• Dedicated personal support.
• Training school.
• Continuous professional development.

Testimonials

Still not 100% convinced? Why not hear from some of our incredible team who started their career in occupational rehab at Recovery Partners!

“What I enjoy most about being a Rehabilitation Consultant is being able to make a genuine difference in someone’s life. After completing a Bachelor of Psychological Science and an Honours year in Psychology, I’ve found this role to be a great way to apply my skills in a practical and meaningful setting. It has allowed me to build on my strengths in problem-solving and stakeholder management while working across a range of industries, insurers, and clients. It’s a rewarding career for anyone who enjoys supporting others, collaborating with people, and continuing to grow professionally.”

Victoria, Rehab Consultant (New Employer Team)

“I completed my Exercise Physiology degree at the end of 2019 and was looking for a role that offered something a bit different from a traditional clinical pathway, which led me to Recovery Partners and the role of a Rehab Consultant. What immediately stood out and still keeps me engaged is the variety in the work, with no two days ever looking the same. Starting my career in rehab consulting has allowed me to apply my clinical skills in a more dynamic way. Since joining, I’ve progressed from graduate Rehab Consultant through to Branch Manager and DVA Relationship Manager, which really highlights the opportunity for growth at Recovery Partners. It’s a great career path for anyone looking for meaningful work, strong team culture, and genuine opportunities to develop in their career.”

Georgia, QLD/NT Branch Manager and DVA Relationship Manager

“Working with Recovery Partners, for the past seven years has been an absolute pleasure and so fulfilling…The opportunities that I have been provided with have been countless, and the exposure and experience gained in a range of allied health schemes has been invaluable. But the best part of the role is the opportunity to help our clients, and to provide tailored planning for a client’s return to work, rehabilitation or therapy. I find it rewarding to be able to help others reach their rehabilitation, health and development goals, and to receive appreciation for our work.”

Now Hiring!

Ready to kickstart your career in occupational rehabilitation? We would love to have you! We have our Recovery Partners Graduate Program, perfect for those who have recently graduated or about to graduate university. Check out the below link for more information about the program and to apply now!