TITLE 20 - EMPLOYEES' BENEFITS

CHAPTER I - OFFICE OF WORKERS'COMPENSATION PROGRAMS,DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

SUBCHAPTER B - FEDERAL EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ACT

PART 10 - CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION UNDER THE FEDERAL EMPLOYEES' COMPENSATION ACT, AS AMENDED

subpart f - CONTINUING BENEFITS

10.518 - Does OWCP provide services to help employees return to work?

  (a) OWCP may, in its discretion, provide vocational rehabilitation services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 8104. These services include assistance from registered nurses working under the direction of OWCP.

Among other things, these nurses visit the worksite, ensure that the duties of the position do not exceed the medical limitations as represented by the weight of medical evidence established by OWCP, and address any problems the employee may have in adjusting to the work setting. The nurses do not evaluate medical evidence; OWCP claims staff perform this function.

  (b) Vocational rehabilitation services may also include vocational evaluation, testing, training, and placement services with either the original employer or a new employer, when the injured employee cannot return to the job held at the time of injury. These services also include functional capacity evaluations, which help to tailor individual rehabilitation programs to employees' physical reconditioning and behavioral modification needs, and help employees to meet the demands of current or potential jobs.