our services

rehabilitation services

natalie bottroff & associates adopts an outcome-focussed, collaborative approach to assist injured workers achieve the earliest and safest possible return to work. We take an individual and personal approach to managing their needs. While working with the individual, our team meets regularly to discuss the best strategy for assisting the injured worker with a sustainable return to work or restoration to the community.

Our service philosophy and service delivery model incorporate:

• Initial assessment through contact with the worker, employer and medical provider supplemented by a review of all available injury reports, Prescribed Medical Certificates and other documentation.
• A commitment to ethical rehabilitation processes and practices.
• Collaboration and consultation with key parties.
• Providing dignity in rehabilitation by recognising diversity, equity and process integrity.
• Developing a professional environment of shared responsibility and accountability.
• Developing trust through confidentiality and respectful relationships.
• A focus on protecting the injured worker from further injury in the design of all rehabilitation programs and return to work plans.

 

employment transition (job placement)

We work with employers to negotiate strategies to secure employment or temporary work trials for individuals with disabilities arising from the work place.

We regularly update our knowledge of disability issues in securing employment, job placement in the vocational rehabilitation service system, models and practices in securing employment, major trends in practices to secure employment, and future directions.

Our extensive industry contacts include retail, finance, agriculture, wholesale, manufacturing, government and not for profit organisations. Our staff are able to utilise well developed communication and negotiation skills to secure job placement and work trial opportunities for injured workers in metropolitan and regional areas.

 

occupational therapy assessments

• Job Analysis
• Worksite Assessment
• Activities of Daily Living
• Ergonomic/Workstation Assessment

natalie bottroff & associates has in place an approach that involves working directly with injured worker, employer and Rehabilitation Consultant.

Time is spent reinforcing the benefits of workplace-based rehabilitation with the injured worker and employer through a graduated return to work schedule.

In addition to a standard written report, when the treating doctor is unable to attend the worksite or has inadequate knowledge of the work tasks, a short DVD using video and voice over technology can be developed to provide the treating doctor with visible evidence to view the worksite and/or work practices. This technology has been viewed favourably by treating doctors and assists them to make sound decisions regarding return to work options with the employer.

 

Mental Health Occupational Therapy

Mental Health Occupational Therapy assists injured workers to identify and address occupational and environmental factors that influence their mental health and ability to function in work and society.

• Work and Productivity Skills empower the injured worker to practice and develop skills that enable them to return to work and/or engage in retraining.
• Life Skills facilitate enhancement of the injured worker’s independence in managing daily tasks and the prevention of relapse.
• Leisure and Recreation Skills provide opportunities for the injured worker to engage in a range of options to develop interests that they can undertake independently in the community.
• Social Skills underpin the injured worker’s ability to progress in all of these areas and provides increased confidence to relate with others effectively in a range of settings.

 

Education Empowerment Program

We believe the provision of pain knowledge to injured workers is an effective evidence based treatment tool.

Injured workers can understand far more than most health professionals realise. The therapeutic tools taught are used to educate injured workers about how they can use their pain in an effective way, even if it is "in their head".

For more ocupational therapy services, see Back on Track Mental Health Occupational Therapy.

 

Abilita accredited provider

Natalie Bottroff and Associates is an Abilita Accredited Provider and is licensed to provide:

1. Abilita Rehabilitation Index (ARI) – the assessment that identifies and generates an immediate report on psychosocial factors that influence recovery.
2. Individual self-management skills coaching to address the influential factors as identified in the ARI to assist injured workers optimise their own recovery.
3. Early Intervention Course: comprehensive skills-based small group program, to assist people to learn strategies to optimise their recovery and minimise pain and disability following injury, with emphasis on individual factors as identified in the ARI.

For further information about the Abilita Program contact us, or visit www.abilita.net.au

 

training

natalie bottroff & associates shares their knowledge in a friendly and interactive manner with practitioners by developing and delivering nationally accredited injury management training workshops. Modules developed and presented by natalie bottroff & associates include:

• Undertake Initial Needs Assessments
• Develop Rehabilitation & Return to Work Plans
• Implement & Monitor Rehabilitation & Return to Work Plans
• Monitor Injury Management Cases