I harp on and on about this program and here is a story about how it works. A young client, Raúl Diaz, injured his back while working as a certified nurse’s aid. He underwent spine surgery. Raúl was not able to return to his occupation because of permanent lifting restrictions. We filed a workers’ compensation claim for Raúl and told him about the vocational retraining program. Raúl signed up for the program and was enrolled in a component training program offered through Goodwin College. He completed a 9 week course, consisting of 16 hours a week of one–on–one training, to obtain the skills needed to manage a medical or dental office. He took courses on Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, basic documentation skills, and training in HIPPA compliance. Upon completion of the 9 week course, he was enrolled in a 16 week program, 16 hours per week to continue his training for medical office management. Raúl says that the vocational workers “opened his eyes to what he could and could not do with his permanent back injury.” Raúl completed all the course work and quickly obtained a job as office manager in a chiropractic office. The entire cost of his training (approximately $9,000.00) was picked up by the rehabilitation program. Good luck to Raúl Diaz – He took advantage of a great resource and is an example for all injured workers in Connecticut!

Please visit http://wcc.state.ct.us/wcc/rehabemployee.htm for more information about the services offered to injured workers covered by workers’ compensation insurance.