Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 69L-22.007 - Vocational Evaluations

(1) The provision of Department sponsored vocational evaluations shall be limited to one (1) per injured employee, per date of accident. Vocational evaluations shall be adapted to the specific needs of the injured employee to insure validity.

(2) A vocational evaluator under contract with the Department to provide vocational evaluations shall:

(a) Ensure any test site used for Department sponsored vocational evaluations meets the definition of "test site" set forth in subsection 69L-22.001(9), F.A.C.;

(b) Be responsible for the administration, scoring and interpretation of all testing instruments and work samples used as part of the vocational evaluation process;

(c) Remove or cure conditions that invalidate test results;

(d) Provide adaptive evaluation tools or techniques to accommodate any physical or functional disability or language barrier;

(e) Conduct an initial interview with the injured employee; and,

(f) Submit to the Department, within forty-five (45) calendar days of Department approval of services, a written report which shall:

1. Include an interpretation of testing instruments and work samples used, specifying the form and level of tests, percentile scores, norm groups, grade levels, standard scores and stanine scores as applicable to the test instrument;

2. Identify the injured employee's physical and intellectual capabilities, aptitudes, achievements, work related behaviors, and interests. The sole interests of the injured employee cannot be the only basis for the vocational evaluator's recommendation;

3. Identify residual or transferable skills;

4. Identify the most appropriate vocational objectives;

5. Identify which reemployment service(s) are necessary for the injured employee to return to suitable gainful employment;

6. Discuss how the provision of the recommended service(s) will facilitate reemployment; and,

7. When a training and education program is recommended, include the rationale for the recommended program, the entrance, enrollment and exit requirements of the program, the anticipated program costs and the proximity of the training and education facility to the injured employee's customary residence.

(3) Any rehabilitation provider or employee of the Department or other public or private agency administering, scoring and interpreting testing instruments shall have the training and education required by the publisher of the testing instrument.

(4) Testing instruments, including work samples, used in vocational evaluations, reemployment assessments, vocational assessments, or other reemployment service activities may be administered and scored under the supervision of a rehabilitation provider. Testing instruments shall be interpreted by the rehabilitation provider with whom the contract for services is authorized.

Notes

Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 69L-22.007

Rulemaking Authority 440.491, 440.591 FS. Law Implemented 440.491 FS.

New 7-1-96, Formerly 38F-55.010, Formerly 6A-22.007, Amended 3-31-14, Amended by Florida Register Volume 49, Number 163, August 22, 2023 effective 9/6/2023.

New 7-1-96, Formerly 38F-55.010, Formerly 6A-22.007, Amended 3-31-14, 9-6-23.