I. Purpose
To encourage a safe and early return to work, by providing the injured worker with the appropriate work and work environment consistent with the functions or restrictions identified by the treating physician.
To maintain a caring environment that maintains or improves morale during the recovery period.
To offset the cost to the District by reducing the need for temporary disability payments (4850 benefits).
II. Policy
It is the intent of the District to attempt to provide all employees with an offer of a temporary modified duty assignment while they are recuperating from an injury or illness, either job or non-job related, which has precluded him or her from performing the essential functions and meeting the critical demands of the job.
The offer of a temporary modified duty is not a long-term offer and will not be considered as such; this is not a permanent position reassignment. The Modified Duty Assignment is solely for the purpose of transitioning the injured worker, while recuperating from an injury or illness, back into the work environment, while continuing as a productive and contributing member of the District.
III. Definition
Employee is any person who is defined by OSHA regulation or the District’s Worker’s Compensation carrier as such.
IV. Responsibility
The Modified Duty Assignment is administered by the Fire Chief, or his designee, in concert with the treating physician, the injured worker’s supervisor and the injured worker.
V. Procedure
When an injured or ill worker has been released by the treating physician to “modified duty”, the District will attempt to provide an assignment consistent with the physical limitation as delineated by the treating physician.
A. An offer of temporary modified duty will be determined by:
1. Jobs, projects and functions available meeting the criteria set forth by the treating physician.
2. Adequate and appropriate training.
3. Adequate supervision.
4. On a case be case basis* and at the discretion of the Fire Chief or his designee.
* If the District is aware of extenuating circumstances that may negatively impact either the injured employee or the District
(should an offer of temporary modified duty assignment be made, i.e., travel requirements, injured employee not trained, no available work or projects etc.), every attempt will be made to evaluate whether the District has a meaningful and appropriate temporary modified duty assignment.
B. The District will provide appropriate time for medical appointments. The injured worker is required to coordinate appointments with their supervisor.
C. Temporary modified duty assignments may vary depending on the restrictions set forth by the treating physician, medical and physical therapy appointments. During the workday, those individuals assigned to a temporary modified duty assignment will receive their regular salary.
D. The District will:
1. Ensure a safe and caring work environment.
2. Discuss the temporary modified duty assignment with the injured worker.
3. Advise the injured worker of the location and schedule of the assignment.
4. Provide a Temporary Modified Duty Job Description; obtain a signature from the injured worker.
5. Contact the workers compensation insurer, advising of the modified duty offer.
6. Maintain contact with the injured worker, supervisor and medical provider.
7. Provide the injured worker with 48 hours to review and approve the documents associated with the modified duty assignment.
8. Meet with the injured worker on a regular basis to ensure compliance with the treating physician’s requirements.
9. Not require work exceeding the scope defined by the treating physician.
10. Encourage work hardening while recuperating from the injury or illness.
11. Provide the injured worker with a written description of those tasks he or she will be required to perform, prior to returning to his or her usual and customary job (See Policies #412 Return to Duty, #411 Medical Evaluations and #409 Physical Ability Testing).
E. The injured Worker Will;
1. Keep all follow-up medical appointments.
2. Provide the District with a copy of the work status report following appointments.
3. Arrive at the temporary duty assignment on time wearing the appropriate attire (as agreed upon by the District and injured worker).
4. Work within the treating physician’s written limitations.
5. Advise the supervisor of any problems related to the assignment.
6. Participate in work hardening as directed by the treating physician.
Modified Duty Job Description (Policy #413)
It is the policy of the Diamond Springs-El Dorado Fire Protection District to encourage personnel to return to duty, on a temporary modified duty assignment, pending the District’s ability to meet the restrictions as described by the treating physician. Upon notice of a restricted or modified duty assignment is offered on a temporary basis and when appropriate, re-evaluated within forty-eight hours of the most recent doctor’s appointment. Adequate training and necessary tools will be provided by the District, in order for the temporary modified duty assignment to be carried out.
JOB DESCRIPTION: Assisting the Prevention Bureau and/or Training Division
Restrictions as prescribed by the treating physician
ASSIGNED TO: Station #_____ - as designated by the Fire Chief
SUPERVISOR: As designated by the Fire Chief
ASSIGNMENT
OFFERED TO: Rank/Name
NATURE OF MODIFIED DUTY:
Under the direction of ___________________ or his designee, the purpose of the modified duty assignment is to assist the District by providing field supervisory and other non-firefighting assignments, while complying with the restrictions set forth by the treating physician. (Due to the nature of the restricted duty, functions will not include firefighting activities.)
TERM OF REVISION TO TEMPORARY MODIFIED DUTY:
Durations of assignment shall not exceed the treating physician’s recommendations.
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Employee Signature Date Signed
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Supervisor Signature Date Signed
Extension:__________________________________________________________
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Employee Signature Date Signed
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Supervisor Signature Date Signed