Vocational Services

Encore Unlimited’s vocational professionals ultimately increase the likelihood of a return to productive employment through accelerated return to work or job placement services. Encore Unlimited’s uniquely qualified staff can provide specialized services such as expert testimony, vocational testing or functional job analyses.

Our wide range of creative strategies and resources include:

• Vocational Assessment
• Job Placement/Job Seeking Skills Training
• Labor Market Surveys
• Vocational Testing
• Employability Assessment/Transferable Skills Analysis
• Retraining Program Assessment
• Expert Testimony
• Functional Job Analysis/Accommodation Analysis
• Social Security Disability (SSDI) Advocacy
• Loss of Earning Capacities Evaluation

Vocational Assessment
This service provides a comprehensive assessment, after completing an in-person interview, along with vocational research, assessment of vocational options and vocational potential. This service can be conducted as a limited assignment or as a means of initiating a vocational plan.

Job Placement/Job Seeking Skills Training
This service is designed to provide an individual with the skills, service and support needed to secure employment. Wide ranges of creative strategies are applied to this process to include job development, job coaching, transferable skills analyses, and labor market surveys.

Labor Market Surveys
This product identifies appropriate jobs for a disabled employee within a specific salary range, in a given geographic area, taking into consideration the employee’s skill level, educational level, and physical capabilities. The vocational specialist gathers appropriate information and provides necessary research to support final conclusions.

Vocational Testing
In those instances where the skills and abilities of a disabled employee are unknown and this information is critical to developing a meaningful vocational plan, vocational testing is available. Again, specially trained vocational case managers will administer the appropriate battery of assessment tools to clearly define a candidates vocational potential.

Employability Assessment/Transferable Skills Analysis
This service is designed to identify an employee’s residual vocational skills and aptitudes that would transfer into another occupation. The transferable skills analysis offers a roster of suitable occupations within the wage parameters specified, based on an individual’s work history and physical capacities.

Retraining Program Assessment
In those situations where an employee and/or their representatives are advocating for a retraining program, Encore Unlimited’s vocational case managers will conduct an assessment designed to confirm the appropriateness of the program relative to the individual’s residual physical ability, aptitude, and skill level. Particular attention is paid to the degree to which completion of the program and subsequent employment is able to restore the individual’s earning capacity. Finally, and of equal importance, the vocational counselor will confirm that the job for which the individual is preparing for is appropriate and available in the labor market.

Loss of Earning Capacities Evaluation/Expert Testimony
This service provides an expert opinion on the impact an injury has had on a disabled employee’s present and future earning potential. This evaluation can encompass workers’ compensation, liability or other areas where expert vocational/assessment is needed. Expert testimony is also provided when necessary.

Functional Job Analysis/Accommodation Analysis
This service identifies tasks and related physical demands of a job. This information is helpful in assisting an employer and the physician in coordinating return to work and identifying job accommodations or modifications. The job analysis also has application for ADA situations, as well as, pre and post employment screening. The case manager conducts a workplace visit with appropriate employer personnel and a written and/or video functional job analysis, defining the tasks and related physical requirements.

Social Security Disability (SSDI) Advocacy
This service is designed to assist an individual in obtaining a Social Security Disability Income benefit award, which in many situations, can be used to provide an offset. This service includes assessment and testimony.

When should you consider Encore Unlimited's Vocational services?

• When completion of a job analysis can facilitate return to work.

• When there is an individual who is unable to return to his/her customary employment.

• When the inability to return to work results in exposure for additional compensation (wage replacement or income continuation).

• When there is a need to answer questions of "employability" (either "own occupation" or "any occupation" for disability carriers).

• When there is a need to offer a proactive, thorough and well documented job placement program.

• When there is a need to respond to a claim for Loss of Earning Capacity.

• When you need to coordinate a retraining program that will restore vocational potential.