Employer-based rehabilitation

This article examines a new methodology in the field of vocational rehabilitation called Employer-Based Rehabilitation. This approach involves conducting as much of the rehabilitation process as possible in the context of real work sites. Special attention is paid to the assessment of functional work skills. Research drawn from systems analysis and cognitive learning provide the theoretical constructs for this approach. The benefits of this approach are two-fold. First of all, in-context assessments produce results that hold a high degree of face validity for the client, thus increasing compliance and follow through. Secondly, in-context assessments produce results that are durable in the real world of work, leading to positive employment outcomes. The application of employer-based rehabilitation techniques requires specific skill sets, which constitute future professional development suggestions.