Issues and Best Practice for Returning to Work After Brain Injury

Location
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation
Kessler Conference Center
1199 Pleasant Valley Way
West Orange, NJ

About the Program
This half-day course will address challenges associated with assisting an individual who is re-entering the work force after experiencing a brain injury.  A functional, interdisciplinary approach to cognitive rehabilitation will be reviewed along with the latest research in best practice for this type of therapy.  Key issues for success, including driving and emotional adjustment after brain injury and the importance of simulated work experiences during rehabilitation provides a framework for treatment planning as it relates to improving the potential for a successful outcome for return to work post-injury.

Objectives
Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define brain injury and its impact on cognitive, physical and emotional functioning
• Explain the continuum of care for individuals with moderate and severe brain injuries
• Describe neuroplasticity and its role in the rehabilitation process
• Describe best practice for cognitive rehabilitation within a multidisciplinary setting
• Report the need to address home and community reintegration of a brain injury survivor as a precursor to return to work
• State the process for return to driving after a brain injury
• Outline classic personality disturbances and common emotional difficulties associated with brain injury
• Review psychotherapeutic interventions for patients and families following brain injury
• Discuss motivational issues related to treatment as well as limits to psychotherapy
• Summarize the importance of collaboration in returning individuals with brain injury back to competitive employment
• Describe a functional approach to return to work and provide examples
• List the benefits of a tailored approach to community reintegration  

Target Audience
Case Managers
Certified Rehabilitation Counselors
Occupational Therapists and Certified Occupational Therapy Assistants
 
 Agenda
8:30 am    Registration & Continental Breakfast 
9:00 am    The Continuum of Care Following Brain Injury
                   Judi Weinberger, M. Ed., CRC, LRC, CBIST
9:30 am    Best Practice in Cognitive Rehabilitation - Driving Issues
                   Laurie Durmaz, OTR, CBIST
10:10 am  Questions
10:20 am  Break
10:30 am  Emotional Adjustment Following Brain Injury
                   Kelly Kearns, Psy. D.
11:15 am  Best Practice for Returning to Work After Brain Injury
                   Katrina Seigerman, MS, CRC, CBIS, LAC
11:50 am  Questions
12:00 pm  Adjourn

Program Faculty
Laurie Durmaz, OT, CBIST
Senior Occupational Therapist
Cognitive Rehabilitation Program
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, West Orange, NJ

Kelly Kearns, Psy. D.
Neuropsychologist
Cognitive Rehabilitation Program
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, West Orange, NJ
 
Katrina Seigerman, MS, CRC, CBIS, LAC
Certified Rehabilitation Counseling Specialist
Cognitive Rehabilitation Program
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation,  West Orange, NJ
 
Judi Weinberger, M.Ed., LRC, CRC, CBIST
Out-patient Brain Injury Case Manager
Cognitive Rehabilitation Program
Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, West Orange, NJ
 
Educational Information
This program has been pre-approved by The Commission for Case Manager Certification for 2.5 CE contact hours.

This program has been pre-approved by The Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification for 2.5 contact hours.

Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation is an approved provider for the American Occupational Therapy Association to offer continuing education in occupational therapy. This intermediate level program awards occupational therapists .25 CEU’s or 2.5 contact hours. The assignment of AOTA CEU’s does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.  


Registration Information
Conference materials and a continental breakfast will be provided. Participant substitutions are permitted with prior notice.
 
For More Information
Contact Patty Carey, PT, DPT, MPA at (973) 324-3666 or at pcarey@kessler-rehab.com
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation will make all reasonable efforts to accommodate persons with disabilities.  Please call (973) 324-3666 with your requests at least 2-weeks prior to the course date.
If you have any grievances regarding this program, please call (973) 324-3666. You will receive a response within 72 hours.