Initial Occupational Assessment (IOA)

 

 

Initial Occupation Assessments Explained

If it becomes clear to ACC that a client may not be able to return to their pre-injury work type due to an ACC covered injury, ACC will arrange an Initial Occupational Assessment (IOA).

The purpose of the IOA is to produce a report that ACC can use to determine the client’s vocational rehabilitation needs. The Vocational Assessor will identify suitable types of work for the client taking into consideration their education, experience, pre-incapacity earnings, and training. The Vocational Assessor will also complete a work type detail sheet for each suitable work type, including the client’s pre-injury occupation. Work type detail sheets have been developed to achieve national consistency regarding descriptions of work types. They provide information on work tasks, work environment, work function/activity, qualifications, and other relevant comments. Moreover, using a consistent format for work type detail sheets when describing work options helps the Medical Assessor establish whether the client can medically perform the work described. These jobs should be something that is realistic for the client to achieve and available in their local region. The Vocational Assessor also identifies potential barriers to the client successfully obtaining work.

Initial Occupational Assessment Objectives:

An assessment will take approximately 60 – 90 minutes and a report will be provided to ACC or private insurers that will include work types discussed in the assessment. The assessment will entail the following objectives:

  1. To identify suitable work types based on jobs or work experience that they have previously undertaken.
  2. To identify suitable work types based on the client’s relevant skills that are applicable or can be transferred to that particular work type.
  3. To identify suitable work types that the client has not undertaken previously based on the client’s existing skills, education, previous experience and training and the transferability of these into suitable occupations.
  4. To identify suitable work types that appear achievable with some training.
  5. To identify barriers to returning to work such as physical, mental, family, location or transport.
  6. To identify options for Vocational Rehabilitation Services – vocational rehabilitation is a series of services designed to assist a client to return to work following an injury to either maintain employment, or obtain employment, or regain or acquire vocational independence. ACC identifies and executes the appropriate services for the client to achieve the abovementioned. The IOA is a pre-requisite for other Vocational Rehabilitation Services.
  7. To ensure a client – Vocational Assessor collaborative effort where the client’s needs and wants are discussed and understood when identifying suitable work types.