Meet Sandra Fletcher, Return-to-Work Specialist
I am currently a Return-to-Work Specialist with over 42 years of dedicated experience in various health care roles and settings. I collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of professionals collaborating to promote employee’s return to a safe work environment when functional accommodation is required. I hold Certification in Rehabilitation Counseling and as an Occupational Health Nurse Specialist.
“It is rewarding to support employees through their healing journey, and to find the opportunity to lessen the challenge toward their highest level of recovery.”
Challenge
*Damian, a retail employee in technical services, sustained a laceration on his right index finger in November of 2023. After realizing how severe the cut was, he left work and was seen by an occupational medicine office the same day for an evaluation. Three days later, Damian had an initial surgery evaluation, though after hearing more, he chose to undergo therapy first.
During this time Damian was able to work with restrictions accommodated by his employer and with the assistance of Sandra, a Return-to-Work Specialist. His absence time was minimal as he tried to avoid incurring a disability. Along with his deep concern for the recovery of his hand, he was anxious about any disability claims that could impact his overall attendance and job performance.
A little over a month later, he was able to complete all recommended therapy, after which the physician recommended surgery for further recovery. Damian went into surgery for his injury and continued his recovery afterwards by beginning occupational therapy.
Solution
After the initial injury and during completion of the therapy, the Return-to-Work Specialist partnered closely with the workers’ compensation adjuster to establish a strong rapport with Damian’s manager and the clinical office personnel. Through collaboration on many successful recovery journeys, work status was obtained through effective communication to support the implementation of functional job accommodations when modified work was available by the employer.
The clinical provider’s office was advised about our robust return-to-work program and encouraged to provide maximum medical improvement for cases that exceeded the Official Disability Guidelines. Through consistent communication and collaboration with the medical records team, the maximum medical improvement form was completed. After the form was processed, and seven months through his recovery journey, Damian was released to full duty. Damian’s only disability was incurred with his hand surgery.
Result
Without the continued efforts and education provided to the provider’s office and staff, a full-duty release would not have been obtained in a timely manner to assist the employee back to work with progression toward full-duty and full-time gainful employment.
By the persistent work of Sandra and her knowledge as a specialist, the return-to-work experience assisted the employer in successfully returning a valued employee back to the work site, alongside the reduction of an overall cost increase to the claim. Reaching out with care and an empathetic understanding of Damian’s concerns offered an opportunity to support his healing and objectives for the recovery of his hand with minor impact on the stability of his job and performance.