Strategies
The University of Iowa strongly encourages departments to return injured employees to work as quickly as medical restrictions allow. It is a goal of The University of Iowa to assist injured employees in an appropriate and timely return-to-work.
The Work Injury Accommodation Team (WIAT) serves as an impartial resource to departmental supervisors, HR unit representatives, and employees. WIAT is made up of seven aligned campus professionals. The Team works closely with University Benefits staff to provide assistance to UI employees seeking Workers’ Compensation benefits.
The Team provides education and information to employees and their supervisors on viable work solutions. Areas of focus include understanding responsibilities following a work-related injury, review of patient health status reports, job requirements and functions, and discussion of temporary work accommodations necessary to establish temporary restricted assignment. Emphasis is also placed on modifying work areas/tasks as needed to create a safe work environment and implementing accommodations according to medical needs.
The Team proceeds in the following manner when assisting department supervisors and employees:
- The case is first received by one of the Workers’ Compensation Specialists
- The case is reviewed by the Team to determine resources required to assist the injured employee.
- The review and assessment consists of one or more of
the following:
- Medical evaluation
Work place evaluation
Job requirement evaluation
Department needs or concerns
Employee needs or concerns
Workers’ Compensation claim processing and coordination
- Medical evaluation
The Team provides guidance and recommendations on viable solutions related to needs.
WIAT Team Members
Workers’ Compensation:
Amy Edeker, (319) 353-2375, amy-edeker@uiowa.edu, orgs 70-98
Bethany Kaplan, (319) 335-2679, bethany-kaplan@uiowa.edu, orgs 01-69
Ergonomics:
David Hackbarth, Health Protection Office, (319) 335-9547, david-hackbarth@uiowa.edu
Medical:
Pat Hartley, MD; Gina Glass, PA; Workers Health Clinic (319) 353-8653
Questions? benefits@uiowa.edu