North Carolina Industrial Commission Rules for Utilization of Rehabilitation Professionals in Workers’ Compensation Claims
I. Definitions: Description of Rehabilitation Services.
D. "Medical rehabilitation" . . . goal of
medical rehabilitation stated above as indicated in Rule IV.
E. "Vocational Rehabilitation" . . . of
vocational rehabilitation as defined above in Rule IV.
V. Qualifications Required
A. CIRS CDMS, RN,Cm
D. (1.) a. Certified Insurance
Rehabilitation Specialist (CIRS) Certified Disability
Management Specialist (CDMS)
Add at end of list Certified Nursing Case Manager (RN,Cm)
(2.) a. i. CIRS
CDMS, RN,Cm
c. Once an RP meets certification eligibility requirements, the RP may only maintain CRP status for a period of 2 years.
VII. Communication
E. Confidentiality
Delete current section (1.) and substitute:
(1.) RPS shall timely inform workers that RP will share relevant and material information with the employer and insurance carrier and that the RP may be compelled to testify regarding any information obtained.
F. Communication with worker’s attorney.
(1) The first meeting . . . twenty (20)
fourteen (14) calendar days. The time begins to run from the date the RP first
notifies worker's attorney of his/her involvement. If worker's attorney does not
respond within fourteen (14) calendar days, RP should schedule the meeting with the worker
immediately. Regardless of the point during the fourteen (14) days when worker's
attorney responds, the meeting shall be accomplished within the fourteen (14) calendar
days provided.
G. A copy of these rehabilitation rules, or a summary thereof prepare by the Industrial Commission, shall be provided to the employee, at the same time as the release is requested.
IX. Return to Work
C. If the RP utilizes written or videotaped job
descriptions in the return-to-work process, the RP shall provide a copy of the
same to all parties for review before the job description is provided to the doctor. If
the worker or the worker’s attorney have any objections or additions to the job
description, they shall notify, within ten (10) calendar days, the RP, all parties, and
the physician. a copy shall be received by the employee at least five (5)
business days prior to the date it is transmitted to the doctor.This process may be
expedited on occasions when job availability is critical.
D. In preparing written job descriptions, the RP may
shall utilize recognized standards which may include but not be limited to
the Dictionary of Occupational Titles and/or the Handbook for Analyzing Jobs published by
the U.S. Department of Labor. which are recognized as national standard references
for use in vocational rehabilitation.
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