Welcome to the TBI-HELP Live Chat

Today's topic is: "Returning To Work After Brain Injury-Are You Prepared?"

Our Guest is: Ms. Carol Jones, Vocational Counselor, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

[19:06:22] Mod: Good evening! Tonight the TBI Help Desk for Caregivers is very proud to have Ms. Carol Jones as our guest speaker. Ms. Jones is a vocational counselor at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center. Her topic for tonight is "Returning to Work after Brain Injury-Are you prepared?" Welcome Ms. Jones!
[19:05:48] MSJONES: Good evening everyone. I am happy to speak with you tonight. I hope I can be of some assistance to you in answering your questions. Thank you.
[19:07:29] Mod: What is the role of a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor?
[19:08:45] MSJONES: Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors help people with disabilities understand their capabilities and assist them in developing sound vocationally and socially rewarding lives.
[19:09:53] Mod: Rail: What are the earliest indications after TBI for returning to work?
[19:13:49] MSJONES: Each individual must be fully ready to return to work after a brain injury. First, acknowledging your limitations and strengths is a very important step. Understanding how one's limitations can impact on functioning in the work environment is very essential as well as learning how to compensate for such limitations. In addition, a willingness to accept a change in employment status or job tasks could be helpful in the first stage analysis of returning to work.
[19:16:03] Mod: Rail: Isn't there a problem when the TBI patient doesn't realize the remaining extent of the problem?
[19:20:02] MSJONES: Awareness of one's limitations is very important. Lack of awareness of the resulting problems after a brain injury negatively impacts on one's ability to perform the job. It is therefore important that individuals meet with a vocational counselor before re-entering the work environment to explore various work choices consistent with abilities. Simulated work trials could be helpful in teaching the individual and also allowing that person to see first hand his/her capability..
[19:21:02] Mod: What resources are available to help individuals return to work after discharge from the hospital or sub acute facilities?
[19:22:52] MSJONES: The primary resource that is available is through VESID. the state operated vocational/educational rehabilitation program which helps individuals with disabilities become independent through education, training or employment..
[19:23:45] Mod: Rail: What types of support are most important for individuals returning to work?
[19:26:14] MSJONES: Family, friends, employers who understand that the individual is not functioning the same way prior to injury or illness are excellent support systems. .
[19:28:04] Mod: What kind of strategies are useful on the job; and what kind of on-the- job support is available to most people?
[19:30:50] MSJONES: Strategies are developed to suit individual needs. Changing the work environment to accommodate the individual and his/her limitations is helpful. Written and visual instructions are other useful tools. Job coaches are good sources of support for on the job. They can help to alleviate anxiety and fears about performing the tasks and also to work along with employers to educate them about the individuals limitations. Joining job clubs could also be helpful. There you get to meet other individuals who may be experiencing similar types of issues, and being able to share..
[19:45:14] mod1: James: I've got a mate that had a bad motorcycle accident. He is really sharp, and back on the job, but his verbal is very minimal. He writes notes rather than talk. Is this totally unique?? He is able to do the technical stuff, like before - but we had such good chats after hours that I miss.
[19:49:59] MSJONES: James, it must be difficult for you and your mate to communicate like before the accident. I would however recommend using a computerized communication device to help speed up communication. Also, James, your mate is in the right work setting. In this way, she would not be set up for failure when communicating with others..
[19:51:46] Mod: Is it hard to have long term job retention after brain injury?
[19:52:45] MSJONES: Long term job retention after brain injury comes through trial and error. Many individuals do not remain for long periods on the job because of many environmental, social and personal factors. However, getting the right placement and being satisfied with the work help individuals to retain their jobs..
[19:54:54] Mod: What is supported employment? What are the benefits of supported employment?
[19:55:54] MSJONES: Supported employment is an approach used to improve return to work following a disability, whether from a brain injury or any other type of disability. Skills training and support at the job site by a job coach or employment specialist are beneficial to individuals returning to work. Individuals are helped to overcome their inability or helped to retain skills. Also social, physical and behavioral impairments that could adversely affect performance are addressed..

We are sorry that the last interchange of this session was lost - and we thank Ms. Jones for providing her time in answering these questions.

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