If You Are Sick or Injured At Work

Return to Work Program

admin — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 03:18:45 +0000

Return to Work Program

If You Are Sick or Injured At Work, Occupational Health Clinic, Resource Articles

admin Tue, 09/27/2011 - 22:18 RSS:

Occupational Health Clinic

The Return to Work Program allows staff to continue working if they cannot do their normal duties because of a job-related illness or injury. Almost any Vanderbilt full-time or part-time staff member who has temporary restrictions from a job-related injury or illness is eligible to participate in the program.

Do I have to work if I am hurt on the job, or do I have a choice?
The Return to Work Program is a great benefit, and it is totally voluntary. You can also choose to take family medical leave (FMLA) instead. If you choose FMLA, apply as you normally would. Taking FMLA could affect your workers' compensation benefits, so you may want to discuss this choice with Human Resources and Risk Management before you apply.

What if I want to work, but my supervisor cannot find modified duty for me?
Call the Return to Work Coordinator (615-936-0955). We will make every effort to help your supervisor find suitable work within your department.

If I start feeling better, can I just do my regular duties?
You must have a written release from your medical provider so that everyone knows it's safe for you to return to full duty.

What if I try but still cannot do my modified duty?
Tell your supervisor and then call the Return to Work Coordinator (615-936-0955) right away if you are having trouble doing any tasks. You may need to see your provider to make sure that you can safely stay on modified duty.

How long can I stay on modified duty in the Return to Work Program?
For up to 90 calendar days per work-related injury or illness.

What happens after 90 days?
If your restrictions last more than 90 days, you may need a long term plan. The Return to Work Coordinator will ask Employee Relations (VUMC) or Equal Opportunity and Access (VU) to help you and your supervisor decide the next step.

Key Contacts:

For questions about Workers' Compensation Benefits:

Medical Center Employees

Risk & Insurance Management
2525 West End Ave., Suite 700
615-936-0660

University Employees

Office of Human Resources
110 21st Avenue, Baker Building, 10th Floor
615-343-4788

For Questions about FMLA/Medical Leave:

Medical Center HR Employee Service Center: 615-322-7441

University HR Employee Service Center: 615-343-4125

For questions about work restrictions after 90 days:

Medical Center Employees

Employee and Labor Relations
2525 West End Ave., Ste. 500
615-343-4759

University Employees

Equal Opportunity and Access
Loews Vanderbilt Office Building
2100 West End Ave., Suite 700
615-343-9336

Additional Information:

Medical Center Return to Work Policy

Medical Center Employees HR FMLA Forms and Instructions

University Employees Return to Work Policy

University Employees HR FMLA Forms and Instructions

Keywords: RTW, workers' compensation

Tags

Return To Work Program, VU, VUMC, Work Injury/Illness Care

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Exposure to Respiratory Infectious Diseases

admin — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 03:18:42 +0000

Exposure to Respiratory Infectious Diseases

If You Are Sick or Injured At Work, Occupational Health Clinic, Resource Articles

admin Tue, 09/27/2011 - 22:18 RSS:

Occupational Health Clinic

Health care workers may encounter patients who have diseases that are spread through close contact. Exposures can occur during the initial evaluation of a patient prior to diagnosis. The use of protective gear can prevent exposures when instituted early.

Some of the most common infections include:

Pertussis (whooping cough)
Varicella (chicken pox)
Tuberculosis
Meningococcal infections
Measles
COVID-19 (for COVID-19 exposures please see OHC COVID-19 Information Site)

As soon as you suspect a patient has an infectious disease, place the patient on appropriate isolation precautions and contact Infection Prevention (IP) at 936-0725. Infection Prevention will determine if the diagnosis is confirmed and the dates that the patient is considered infectious.

The Occupational Health plan for evaluating and treating exposed faculty/staff includes the following procedures:

Clinical Managers will be consulted to identify all exposed faculty/staff when a case is confirmed.
Each exposed faculty/staff will be evaluated and counseled by the Occupational Health Clinic (OHC) and provided treatment if indicated.
Occupational exposures must be reported, treated and tracked according to federal and state regulations.
OHC follows CDC guidelines for treating exposures.

Rarely an exposed faculty/staff member will be placed on a temporary leave of absence until the risk of developing or spreading an infection has passed.

Note: An OHC Nurse Practitioner is available 24 hours a day (936-0955) to provide prophylaxis for all confirmed exposures. Do not treat yourself or provide treatment to coworkers. Any treatment for exposures must be authorized by the Occupational Health Clinic to qualify for Workers Compensation coverage.

Keywords: pertussis, whooping cough, tuberculosis, TB, varicella, chickenpox, meningococcal, meningitis, infectious disease

Tags

Exposure Management, VUMC, Work Injury and Exposures

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Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals In Pregnancy

admin — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 03:18:42 +0000

Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals In Pregnancy

If You Are Sick or Injured At Work, Occupational Health Clinic, Resource Articles

admin Tue, 09/27/2011 - 22:18 RSS:

Occupational Health Clinic

All workers, male and female, should be protected from toxic exposures at work. Additionally, during pregnancy, a health care worker needs to take all the precautions she would normally take to protect herself. Chemicals that are reproductive hazards include:

Ethylene oxide
Antineoplastic and other hazardous drugs
Inhalation anesthetic agents, particularly nitrous oxide

The exposure control plans for each of these agents is sufficient to protect all workers. Follow the safety procedures for storage and handling and use personal protective equipment to handle these chemicals. Special precautions are needed when working with ribavirin, a drug sometimes used to treat respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). More detail is available in our article on RSV exposure in pregnancy.

Additional information:

Healthy Pregnancy

Working While Pregnant

Babies and You

Radiation Exposure in Pregnancy

Exposure to Resistant Bacteria in Pregnancy

Parvovirus B-19 Exposure in Pregnancy

CMV Exposure in Pregnancy

Keywords: chemicals

Tags

Exposure Management, Pregnancy, VU, VUMC

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Electronic Work Injury Report

admin — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 03:18:42 +0000

Electronic Work Injury Report

If You Are Sick or Injured At Work, Occupational Health Clinic, Resource Articles

admin Tue, 09/27/2011 - 22:18 RSS:

Occupational Health Clinic

The work injury reporting system is owned and managed by Vanderbilt Risk and Insurance Management. By clicking one of the links below, you are leaving the Occupational Health Clinic's website.

For Vanderbilt University Medical Center employees, please direct questions regarding the work injury reporting system to Risk and Insurance Management at 615-936-0660.

I am a Vanderbilt University Medical Center employee, and I am ready to leave the Occupational Health Clinic website and report to VUMC Risk Management.

For Vanderbilt University employees, please direct questions regarding the work injury reporting system to Risk and Insurance Management at 615-343-3788.

I am a Vanderbilt University employee, and I am ready to leave the Occupational Health Clinic website and report to VU Risk Management.

Tags

VU, VUMC, Work Injury/Illness Care

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