Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout110.004 - Modified (Light) Assignments ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL MEDICAL ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY 110.004 MODIFIED (LIGHT) DUTY ASSIGNMENTS EFFECTIVE: OCTOBER 2007 Current Revision Date: 04/26/21 Next Revision Date: 04/26/22 Author’s Name/Rank: Bradley Dandridge, Battalion Chief Review Level: 1 Administrative Support: Evelyn Yin-Zepeda, Management Analyst II PURPOSE This policy institutes guidelines for members requesting or being assigned to modified (light) duty positions. This policy covers both work-related and non-work-related injuries and illnesses and is part of the Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department) Medical Administrative Policy. APPLICATION Often, during an injured or ill member’s recuperation process, the attending physician determines the member is well enough to return to work in a modified (light) duty capacity. This document provides members with the process to be followed when requesting, or being assigned to, a modified (light) duty position. OPERATIONAL POLICY It is Department policy, with attending physician’s approval, to provide temporary modified (light) duty assignments for members with work restrictions due to a work- related injury or illness. In addition, it is the policy of the Department to review and accommodate, when possible, requests for modified (light) duty assignments by members with non-work-related injuries or illnesses. OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE This section intentionally left blank. PROCESS In accordance with the City of Fresno Administrative Order No. 2-26, Light Duty Assignments for Temporarily Disabled Employees, it is the policy of the Department to provide modified (light) duty assignments for temporarily incapacitated members ---- who sustain a work-related injury or illness. Administrative Order No. 2-26 specifically states: To establish a uniform policy and procedure for the administration of a Citywide light duty/return-to-work program for employees who are temporarily disabled from performing the duties of their regularly assigned positions due to a work-related injury or illness. This program is intended to provide temporary reassignment of an injured employee only until such time as: a. The employee is medically released to perform the full range of duties of his/her regular position; b. The light-duty assignment is discontinued at the request of the attending physician; c. The employee is medically determined to be permanently disabled and consideration is given to job modification, transfer, termination, or retirement; d. The light-duty assignment is discontinued at the option of the providing department/division. Note: This program is not applicable to members who are temporarily disabled as a result of non-work-related accidents. It is the practice of the City to require these individuals to use sick leave or other approved leave unless Chief Administrative Officer approval is obtained to return the employee to a meaningful job assignment. NONWORK-RELATED INJURIES/ILLNESS Administrative Order No. 2-26 allows members with non-work-related injuries or illnesses to be assigned to a meaningful modified (light) duty assignment with the chief administrative officer’s approval. Members who sustain a non-work-related injury or illness and wish to be considered for a modified (light) duty assignment should forward a memo to the Safety and Wellness Officer. These members should follow the same procedures required of those members with work-related injuries/illnesses. The availability of a modified (light) duty assignment for members with non-work-related injuries or illness will be decided after a case-by-case review and shall be at the discretion of the Fire Chief or designee. Section 110.004 Page 2 of 5 ALL INJURIES OR ILLNESS Members, who have been approved for modified (light) duty status by their attending physician or who have been advised of a change of status related to their ability to work, should immediately notify the Safety and Wellness Officer, or designee, by telephone or in person. This notification should typically occur the same day as the member’s doctor visit. If notification to the Safety and Wellness Officer is made after hours, the member should forward an email to the Safety and Wellness Officer and make contact via telephone or in person during work hours. ASSIGNING MEMBERS TO MODIFIED (LIGHT) DUTY The injured or ill member’s attending physician will be required to complete an Administrative Manual, Section 106.141, Medical Status Report Form (FD-79), indicating the member’s physical restrictions and ability to perform in a modified (light) duty capacity. The member may hand deliver the form to the physician or the member can request the Safety and Wellness Officer’s email or fax a copy of the form to the physician for thorough review and completion. The appropriate FD-79 requires the physician to indicate whether the member is able to perform in a full-duty capacity, perform modified (light) duty, or is not fit for any type of work assignment. The three variations of the FD-79 are specific to the following Fire Department work categories: Sworn Safety Members (FD-79A) Sworn Non-Safety Members (FD-79B) Support Staff (FD-79C) Members must ensure they have presented their attending physician with the correct form, specific to their work category. Note: The completed FD-79 should be submitted to the Safety and Wellness Officer within one business day of the member’s physician visit. Forms may be hand delivered, scanned and emailed, or faxed. Telephone contact with the Safety and Wellness Officer should be attempted prior to sending any electronic communications to ensure both parties are aware notification is occurring in this manner. Failure to supply said forms may result in disciplinary action. Section 110.004 Page 3 of 5 Once the form has been returned, the Safety and Wellness Officer will ascertain the member’s eligibility for assignment to modified (light) duty. This will be done after reviewing the completed FD-79, verifying all requirements of the Medical Administrative Policy have been met, and consulting with the Fire Chief or designee. Prior to assigning the member to a modified (light) duty assignment, the Safety and Wellness Officer will confirm with the Fire Chief: 1. The attending physician has reviewed and completed the appropriate FD-79. 2. There is a meaningful assignment for which the member is qualified to perform the prescribed tasks. 3. The member will be assigned to modified (light) duty based on temporary disability duration. After due consideration, the member will be notified by the Safety and Wellness Officer of the availability of the modified (light) duty assignment. Modified (light) duty assignments generally begin on Monday of each week and will require the member to be converted from a 56-hour to a 40-hour work week schedule, Monday through Friday, 0800 to 1700 hours, unless the Department identifies a need for a different schedule. Once a member has been assigned to modified (light) duty, a brief orientation will be provided regarding the change in status and other items related to the modified (light) duty work. This includes items related to schedule and assignment, payroll, newly assigned supervisor, notification of medical appointments, reporting of any absences, etc. Members will be provided with a light-duty assignments document describing the above information. Note: Physical therapy appointments should be made at a time that will cause the least amount of disruption to the workday or, if possible, before or after work. Note: Employees assigned to modified (light) duty due to a work- related injury shall have observed City Holidays off and be designated IP inthe Department’s staffing software program. Employees that have been approved for a modified (light) duty assignment due to a non-work-related injury shall use available leave balances to take observed City Holidays off. Under all circumstances, the decision as to availability of modified (light) duty assignments shall be at the sole discretion of the Fire Chief or designee. Section 110.004 Page 4 of 5 RESPONSIBILITIES OF MODIFIED (LIGHT) DUTY PERSONNEL Members assigned to modified (light) duty should be given supplemental duties only. They will not be assigned to fill a vacant budgeted position. All modified (light) duty work assignments should be on a 40-hour schedule, Monday through Friday, 0800 to 1700 hours, unless the Department identifies a need for a different schedule. In general, the duties will be restricted to necessary tasks allowed under the FD-79. Typical assignments include general office work, testing alarm circuitry, drawing maps, monitoring video police cameras, research, running errands, and inspections. If a member on modified (light) duty is injured or ill outside of normal working hours, the member must immediately notify via voice mail or email, the Safety and Wellness Officer and the Department payroll clerk. In addition, the member’s immediate modified (light) duty supervisor should be contacted during normal business hours. INFORMATION This section intentionally left blank. DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS-REFERENCES City of Fresno Administrative Order No. 2-26, Light Duty Assignments for Temporarily Disabled Employees Administrative Manual Section 106.141, Medical Status Report Form (FD-79) Section 110.001, Guidelines and Responsibilities Section 110.004 Page 5 of 5