Information for
Injured Workers
A quick overview of what you
need to know
about vocational rehabilitation
What is Vocational Rehabilitation?
Vocational rehabilitation is a process that helps individuals overcome barriers to employment. The process provides the individual with access to the labor market, helps them maintain employment, and/or can help them return to work.
What is the Process?
The first step is to participate in a vocational evaluation. Based on the recommendations from the evaluation, there may be options to help you go to school to learn a new career or support you in your job search process.
Why am I being sent for a Vocational Evaluation?
You’re here because something has changed. You may not be able to do the job you’ve done before. Maybe you were injured on the job or your career field has suddenly dried up. As a result, you’ve been sent to us, probably by the Workers’ Compensation Commission, your attorney, or the insurance company.
Here’s how we’re going to help!
At Kelsea Mills & Associates, we help people find jobs they’re best suited for, especially after an injury, career change, or job loss.
Think of us like a mechanic for careers—we assess your skills, experience, and permanent restrictions, match you with work that fits, then help you find access to get new parts… or, in this case, new skills that fit careers within your restrictions and abilities.
The goal? To get you up and running again!
What we do
Our team helps individuals with barriers to the workforce to chart new paths to employment.
After an injury, or because of a work barrier, you’ve probably heard the word can’t a lot:
You can’t lift this much weight.
You can’t use that equipment anymore.
You can’t return to the job you know.
We can’t accommodate your needs.
That’s why we start with can.
We begin with the thought process of you can find a new path to safe employment and have a greater likelihood of doing so with help and support.
Let’s get to work, and get you back to work, in a role that is safe, local, and within your restrictions.
Service Summary Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
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Please call us ASAP at 405.252.1129.
Our schedule is very structured and being a no-show will be disruptive not only to our team but delay another individual’s ability to receive services.
We can discuss with you if we were given any deadlines that may impact rescheduling.
Whenever possible, we will accommodate rescheduling.
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Overall, participation!
Some of the services you may receive will require that you meet with us. Others happen virtually.
Vocational Evaluations — This is most often a one time, in-person, appointment . We have offices in Norman and Tulsa, so you will be scheduled at the location closest to you.
Job-Placement Assistance — While we are helping you find a job, we will meet virtually, have phone calls, and coming in person to do interview preparations is always an option.
Vocational Case Management — We provide this service to assist individuals while they are going to school. All of our contact will be virtually.
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No. You do not need to bring anyone with you.
If someone comes with you, great! Please know that they are welcome to join the appointment, but are not allowed to participate.
**Note, we ask that children not be brought to the appointment. -
We won’t be doing any physical tests, so you may wear whatever you’re comfortable in.
If you're coming in for interview prep, you’ll be instructed ahead of time to wear the clothes you’d wear to an interview. -
Not always, but sometimes yes (helpful, I know).
The Workers’ Compensation System provides the benefit of vocational rehabilitation services to anyone eligible for temporary total disability.
If you have been referred to us as part of your workers’ compensation case and have more specific questions, I do suggest you reach out to your adjuster or legal counsel.
But just remember, we’re here to help you!
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The best thing you can do to prepare is complete any paperwork sent to you for the appointment.
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You’re first appointment will be for the vocational evaluation.
Here, we’ll go through the paperwork to make sure we have a good understanding of your injury, treatment, abilities, ongoing symptoms, and past work history and skills. We’ll do some tests and activities to determine options for your future.
Usually, a second appointment is not needed. But, if there is one, it is done virtually to review career exploration results.
For other services (Job Placement or Vocational Case Management) there are a variety of options for us meeting and we will work that out with you when services are authorized.
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Based on the services you are referred to us for, appointment times will vary.
Vocational evaluation appointments are usually 1.5 to 2 hours.
Job Placement webinar trainings are anywhere from 30 minutes to 1 hour.
We will always discuss with you the specific time to expect for an appointment.
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Make sure to bring all the requested forms filled out. If you have questions about how to answer anything, don’t worry, we will discuss it in the evaluation.
If you wear reading glasses - you will need those!
Feel free to bring your résumé instead of writing out your work history!
You do not need to bring your medical records. Those will be sent to us by your attorney, adjuster, or nurse case manager.
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The first thing we’re going to look at are your restrictions and abilities. Then we will explore the skills, knowledge, and expertise you have from your past work.
Once we know these two elements, we can determine what jobs in your local economy use the skills you have, and are performed within your restrictions.
The second part of this analysis is exploring what you may want to do, but are not necessarily qualified for right now. In this case, we will put together a plan to get from where you are today to being qualified and hired.
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Vocational evaluations and rehabilitation services are generally covered by your workers’ compensation insurance carrier.
There are some exceptions to this and you are welcome to ask!
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No. This is part of your overall workers’ compensation case. While we are rehabilitation and/or licensed practical counselors, we do not provide therapeutic counseling in this specific setting. We’ll talk more about this during your vocational evaluation.
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You are always welcome to call and ask questions about how we came to our conclusions and recommendations.
We can discuss if you have alternate ideas that we can supplement the initial recommendations with.
If your situation changes, we can be provided updated medical records and reassess those changes.