Disability Management Practitioner Program

The courses in the Disability Management Practitioner Certificate Program may be taken independently or as a complete 25-course program. These courses emphasize the skills and knowledge required to return to work for individuals who have incurred injuries or illnesses and provide an introduction to the competencies that are required to introduce and administer disability management programs.

Those students wishing to obtain the Certificate of Completion for the entire program and who have previous education in a particular course subject area may apply to obtain an exemption or prior learning assessment credit. For further details, please refer to the Continuing Education Guide.

For individuals who intend to complete the entire 25-course Disability Management Practitioner Certificate Program, eligibility for enrollment is the completion of secondary school, a proficiency in grammar with evidence of adequate reading and writing skills, and basic computer skills. It is strongly recommended that individuals first complete the following courses before proceeding as they provide a foundation for all other courses:

DMCCA – Effective Disability Management Programs
DMCCB – Introduction to Return to Work Coordination

In order to receive a Certificate of Completion for the Disability Management Practitioner Certificate Program, the 25-course program must be completed within three years with a passing grade of 60% or better.

To view the brochure for the Disability Management Practitioner Program, please click on the following link:

 

 

 

 

How to Enroll

For details regarding enrollment, please click here: How to Enroll

All courses have been endorsed by the Canadian Society of Professionals in Disability Management (CSPDM) for continuing education credit (CEC) hours for the professional designations of Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) and Certified Return to Work Coordinator (CRTWC). Successful completion of each course provide 12 CEC hours.

The Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA) renewed its eLearning partnership agreement with PCU-WHS through June 2024 for Pre-approval of 12 CPD hours for each of the following 4 courses: DMCCA, DMCCB, DMCCC, DMCCD.  The description for each of these courses can be accessed by clicking on the plus sign in front of each course number.
For New Applicants who do not have a PCU-WHS student ID number, please click here to apply: https://mypcu.pcu-whs.ca
For current students who already have a PCU-WHS student ID number, please log in through the “My PCU-WHS” in order to register and log in to courses.


The Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of Alberta (CPHR Alberta) have identified that these courses have been Pre-Approved for CPD Hours through CPHR Alberta.

The Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of Nova Scotia (CPHR Nova Scotia) have identified that these courses have been Pre-Approved for CPD Hours through CPHR Nova Scotia.

The Chartered Professionals in Human Resources of New Brunswick (CPHR New Brunswick / CRHA Nouveau-Brunswick) have identified that these courses are Pre-Approved for CPD Hours through CPHR New Brunswick / CRHA Nouveau-Brunswick.

 

In this overview, participants will examine the field of disability management, the rationale for establishing a disability management program, various structures for providing a return-to-work capacity within an organization, and the process followed in setting up a disability management program or analyzing an existing program.

$250.00

Topics covered include the elements of the plan; the roles of people involved in the process ranging from medical service providers to coworkers; types of accommodations; and the hierarchy of return-to-work options.

$250.00

Participants will obtain a basic understanding of the body systems (respiratory, pulmonary, etc.); treatment providers and the type of information that they are likely to provide; and the impact of physical impairments on individuals and their work.

$250.00

A brief overview of mental health issues in the workplace is provided along with a more in-depth focus on stress and depression. Participants will explore symptoms, treatments and disability aspects of stress and depression and strategies for assisting individuals with stress- and depression-related illnesses to return to work. Disabilities that may have a mental health component and the biopsychosocial impact of disabilities will be considered.

$250.00

Different approaches to job analysis are examined and participants will be provided with skills and knowledge relating to the job analysis process from the perspective of disability management.

$250.00

Participants will examine the different types of assessment and consider how return-to-work coordinators can identify qualified assessment professionals and interpret their assessments. Medical diagnoses, functional capacity assessments, and vocational assessments will be discussed.

Prerequisite: DMCCE – Job Analysis

$250.00

 

Participants will explore the communication skills that form the basis of the interview and how they are used together to create an interaction in which the returning worker becomes an active partner in the return-to-work process. Communication techniques for formal interviews and informal discussions will be considered including those that involve supervisors and health care providers.

$250.00

Interviewing strategies are explored as is their contribution to a problem-solving process in which Return to Work Coordinators identify barriers to return to work, resources that might be helpful in the process, and options that might be part of an integrated plan. Effective interviewing skills are essential in carrying out the three-stage model of helping that is presented in this module. The difference between helping and therapy is considered along with how and when to refer clients for professional counseling. It is recommended that participants take Module G before Module H unless they have had a recent course in communications skills.

Prerequisite: DMCCG – Communication and Interviewing Skills

$250.00

Participants will examine human rights laws and the requirement for accommodation as it applies to workers with disabilities. Other acts that impact on accommodation and disability will be considered including labor codes and in some provinces, the requirements of workers’ compensation acts. Related acts such as safety, privacy and health information acts will be discussed.

$250.00

Workers’ compensation income, services, and requirements play a crucial role in returning an employee who has incurred an occupational injury or illness to the workplace. This module explores the knowledge required to provide information about income replacement to employees; to interact with workers’ compensation representatives about funding for treatment, rehabilitation and services such as counselling, special equipment or adaptations to the work station, gradual or part-time returns, and training; to identify available expertise within the workers compensation organization; and to fulfill any Board requirements.

$250.00

The skills and knowledge required to analyze conflicts and to develop strategies for satisfying the interests of all stakeholders will be covered in this module—with a specific focus on return-to-work situations. The steps in resolving conflicts are explored including initially getting people to the table to discuss and define the problem and, as interests are identified, considering ways to expand the benefits that are available as part of the solution.

$250.00

The workshop covers long term and short term disability, CPP disability, automobile insurance, EI sickness benefits, social assistance, and the hierarchy of benefits when several are available to an employee with an injury or illness. Government programs and community organizations that might provide assistance to workers with disabilities will be discussed.

$250.00

The module covers a range of facilitation skills such as clarifying issues or dealing with obstruction—skills that Return to Work Coordinators will use in return-to-work case meetings involving the employee, supervisor, shop steward or other service providers, and in Disability Management Committee meetings. These group techniques are related to a problem solving process that can be used to move the return-to-work process forward or to deal with issues arising from the program in general.

$250.00

Various aspects of labor relations impact disability management including the collective agreement and provincial labor relations act. Memorandums of agreement and letters of intent used in establishing programs and joint committees will be examined. Dispute resolution in a union setting will be explored.

$250.00

The purpose of this module is to examine diversity issues including attitudes towards minorities and people with disabilities, to consider how diversity issues can affect a return to work, and to explore strategies for dealing with cultural differences during the return to work process. Common components of diversity programs will be outlined and the interaction between diversity programs and disability management programs will be examined.

$250.00

The human resources strategy of an organization will influence the benefits that are provided to employees—including assistance with return to work. Benefits and benefit plans and their relationship to disability management will be considered. Provincial employment standards acts that impact return to work in non-unionized organizations, policy and procedures development, and alternate dispute resolution and committee processes will be explored.

$250.00

Participants will review and analyze their organizational skills including planning, delegating, negotiating, budgeting, and time management. Many return-to-work coordinators must obtain the cooperation of people who are not under their direct supervision and a variety of leadership, planning and communication skills will help in achieving goals and objectives.

$250.00

This module covers the process of implementing low to high tech assistive technology in the accommodation of a worker with disabilities. The process includes evaluating the needs of the employee; researching and choosing the most appropriate equipment, software or other job aid; researching and choosing the best supplier; developing a business case for the application; testing the technology and training the worker as necessary; maintaining the assistive technology; and evaluating the outcomes.

Prerequisite: DMCCE – Job analysis

$250.00

 

This module is designed to enable participants to apply theories of change in practical ways. Issues of change management are examined from an organizational and individual perspective. The administrators of disability management programs must be able to adapt to external changes ranging from the effects of new technology to new legislation and regulation. Internal policies and procedures will affect, and be affected by, the disability management program. Individual returns to work may be influenced by changes within the organization or by the effect of personal changes in physical and other capacities. A positive workplace culture and effective leadership can help individuals and organizations adjust to change.

$250.00

An overview of techniques employed in evaluating programs including matching outcomes to goals, benchmarking with other organizations and departments, and conducting program audits and cost-benefit analyses will be provided. Students will consider client satisfaction surveys and other approaches to assessing the return to work process.

Prerequisites:

  • DMCCA – Effective Disability Management Programs
  • DMCCB – Introduction to Return-to-Work Coordination

$250.00

This module covers the planning and development of internal communications programs aimed at creating support for disability management among management and labor, employees who might incur disabilities, and their coworkers. The requirement for external communications components is examined including education and information targeted to medical and other service providers.

$250.00

Participants will explore what kind of program and client information is collected, how it is collected and used, and what issues of confidentiality are involved. The applicability of Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) is considered. Also examined will be the Return to Work Coordinator’s role in collecting information on community services and resources, keeping professional skills and knowledge up to date, and researching information on an as needed basis.

$250.00

This module provides an overview of safety programs, approaches to ergonomics, and the implementation of wellness programs. The interaction of such programs with the disability management program is considered. (This is not a substitute for a safety course.)

$250.00

Participants will identify and analyze situations in disability management where ethical issues might arise. The module will also examine how codes of ethics are developed and how they are used in dealing with ethical issues.

$250.00

This module covers the case management process including working with a return-to-work team that includes internal personnel and external service providers. The return-to work process including assessment, return-to-work planning, implementation, monitoring and adaptation, and evaluation is examined.

Prerequisites:

  • DMCCA – Effective Disability Management Programs
  • DMCCB – Introduction to Return-to-Work Coordination
  • DMCCE – Job Analysis
  • DMCCF – The Role of Assessment
  • DMCCG – Communication and Interviewing Skills
  • DMCCH – Interviewing and Helping Skills
  • DMCCR – Assistive Technology and Accommodation

$250.00

To download a copy of the Continuing Education Guide, please click on the following link:
PCU-WHS Continuing Education Guide 2023-2024

For further details regarding Continuing Education programs, please contact: continuingeducation@pcu-whs.ca

Disability Management from a HR Perspective Certificate Program

Human Resources Management Professionals play a role in ensuring that workers with the skills and work capacity to productively carry out the work of their organization are available. Many of the traditional human resources functions such as provision of benefits and insurance and recruitment and training involve aspects of disability management. Human resources practitioners may be directly or indirectly involved in return-to-work planning.

This eight-course certificate program is designed for human resources management practitioners with disability management responsibilities and focuses on knowledge and skills that they use when workers incur disabilities.

(Participants who have taken similar courses in the Disability Management Practitioner Program may use up to two of those modules towards their certificate.)

Effective Workplace Responses to Mental Health Certificate Program

The Effective Workplace Responses to Mental Health Certificate Program consists of eight courses addressing mental health aspects and provides a holistic approach to foundational and current challenges related to evolving societal changes, the realities of a global pandemic and resultant workplace challenges. Those whose responsibilities include disability management, return to work, human resources and health and safety are on the front lines as mental health conditions represent the greatest proportion of disability management claims.

Special and Advanced Courses

The Special and Advanced Courses cover a range of topics in the field of workplace health and safety, human resources and labour-management relations. They will be useful to those whose responsibilities include the return to work for workers who have incurred injuries and illnesses.