Workers who experience injuries and illnesses are frequently away from the job longer than necessary; never return to work, even though they could be productive with changes in job tasks, equipment or workspace; or return to work and are unable to continue for a variety of reasons. The growing awareness of the benefits of disability management and the changing economic realities of competing in a global environment have caused organizations to develop creative solutions in returning workers to the workplace. There is a recognition of the need for practitioners who can negotiate and manage the required adaptations to the work environment and job, and the return to work services that are required.
The online Disability Management Practitioner Program consists of a series of twenty-five modules designed to provide the skills and competencies essential for disability management / return to work practitioners as they assist workers, who have incurred injuries and illnesses, in returning to the workplace.
The twenty-five modules may be taken as a complete program or as individual modules to develop expertise in specific areas. For those who intend to complete the entire 25-module program, it is strongly recommended that you first complete Module A, Effective Disability Management Programs and Module B, Introduction to Return to Work Coordination, as they provide a foundation for all other modules.
Module activities generally run from Monday to Sunday of a scheduled week although participants will have access to the online course from the previous Friday in order to review course materials and resources prior to the Monday commencement of module activities. All assignments must be submitted by 12:00 am (midnight) Sunday, one week following the last day of weekly module activity.
The estimated time required to complete an online module is ten to twelve hours during the course of the week including readings, self-tests, participation in an online discussion forum, use of other media resources and completion of an assignment.
The schedule for the online modules is designed so that the entire program may be completed in one year (September to June or January to December) or over a two-year or longer period. In order to receive a certificate of completion for the entire program, all modules must be completed within a three-year period.
Each of the 25 modules identified under the Disability Management Practitioner Program is offered at a cost of $250 per module. There is nothing additional to purchase as each module provides the participant with a curriculum manual, potentially other resource materials and a URL listing to relevant websites.
NIDMAR has established a Bursary Program for Canadian students enrolled in the full 25-module program. For further details, please click on the link provided here.
Those wishing to obtain the certificate of completion for the entire program and who have previous education in a particular module subject area, may apply to obtain an exemption or prior learning assessment credit.
All modules have been endorsed for Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) and Certified Return to Work Coordinator (CRTWC) professional development. The number of continuing education credit hours that can be claimed for each module is 12 hours.
