Certification eligibility criteria are usually based on experience and/or formal education and the successful passing of some form of examination. The Occupational Standards identified that formal educational resources in DM have been limited in the past and it is therefore essential that experience and supervision standards emphasize workplace-based DM activities. The following table identifies the education and experience required in order to be eligible to apply for the certification examinations.
The Certification Council will only accept full-time paid employment (FTE) or its equivalent as a valid fulfillment of the employment criteria. Roles and responsibilities of employment must have been in the direct provision of disability management / return to work services for workers with disabilities encompassing the domain areas identified. A letter of attestation completed by the supervisor must be included in the application package.
Given the developmental process currently in DM services, it is recognised that supervision (direct/indirect) by a RTWC or a DMP may not be feasible. Provision is made for management representatives involved in the embedding of DM services in a given setting or professional educational mentors to provide attestation to roles and responsibilities assumed by the applicant.
It is expected that internships/university placements will become a requirement of future formal educational programs in DM.
In order to verify educational backgrounds, original transcripts indicating the granting of degrees bearing the official seal of the educational institution and the signature of the institution’s registrar is required.
PLEASE NOTE: Following broad consultation and, in conjunction with our international partners, the following table identifying the current eligibility qualifications applies for the May 2017 exams.
| Commencing May 2017 Eligibility Qualifications | |
|---|---|
| Education | Employment |
| Masters degree in health related field (nursing, occupational health nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, kinesiologist) or MA in DM, official transcript required + diploma, certificate or short course equivalents in DM (minimum 25 hours of DM/RTW competency related courses during the last 5 years – proof of attendance with details of courses including course description, date course took place, number of course hours, signed by an official of the institution offering the course) | Minimum of 900 FTE hours performing roles and responsibilities during the last 5 years with at least 50% or more of time in the delivery of DM services, supervised by qualified DM supervisor or management representative responsible for DM + letter of attestation from supervisor on employer letterhead |
| Bachelor of Disability Management degree | Minimum of 1 year performing roles and responsibilities during the last 5 years with at least 50% or more of time in the delivery of DM services, supervised by qualified DM supervisor or management representative responsible for DM + letter of attestation from supervisor on employer letterhead |
| Bachelors degree in health related field (nursing, occupational health nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, kinesiologist), official transcript required + diploma, certificate or short course equivalents in DM (minimum 50 hours of DM/RTW competency related courses during the last 5 years – proof of attendance with details of courses including course description, date course took place, number of course hours, and signed by an official of the institution offering the course) | Minimum of 1 year performing roles and responsibilities during the last 5 years with at least 50% or more of time in the delivery of DM services, supervised by qualified DM supervisor or management representative responsible for DM + letter of attestation from supervisor on employer letterhead |
| Diploma or certificate program in DM Official transcript required (if program was completed more than 5 years prior to year of application, 50 hours of DM/RTW competency related courses completed within the last 5 years are required – proof of attendance with details of courses including course description, date course took place, number of course hours, signed by an official of the institution offering the course) |
Minimum of 2 years performing roles and responsibilities during the last 5 years with at least 50% or more of time in the delivery of DM services, supervised by qualified DM supervisor or management representative responsible for DM + letter of attestation from supervisor on employer letterhead |
| Other educational experiences, credentials + short courses in DM program principles and delivery (minimum 100 hours of DM/RTW competency related courses during the last 5 years – proof of attendance with details of courses including course description, date course took place, number of course hours, and signed by an official of the institution offering the course) | Minimum of 3 years performing roles and responsibilities during the last 5 years with at least 50% or more of time in the delivery of DM services, supervised by qualified DM supervisor or management representative responsible for DM + letter of attestation from supervisor on employer letterhead |