Transitional duty. An overview of program management and placement process

Transitional duty is an effective means to return employees to work after an injury or illness. Provision of transitional duty may facilitate earlier return to work. It also helps in retaining an experienced work force, and decreases disability related costs. The occupational and environmental health nurse plays a major role in developing and maintaining a transitional duty program. Essential to programmatic responsibility is the ability to determine organizational culture, involve key stakeholders, and develop a program proposal that "sells" the program to a variety of customers. The ability to consistently evaluate and demonstrate program outcomes, once formal support is attained, is crucial to continued program support. The transitional duty placement process is a vital component of a comprehensive disability program and ensures employees are identified and placed appropriately according to their functional capacity. Routine evaluation of employees on transitional duty is essential to allow for progressive placement. The nurse plays a vital part in counseling and supporting employees and supervisors involved in the transitional duty process.