The purpose of this course is to provide an understanding of the major components of an occupational health & safety program and management system, as well as of health promotion and workplace wellness, within the context of population health. Students will explore the processes related to identifying, measuring and mitigating risks to health and safety as well as population health determinants with a particular emphasis on employment and employment-related factors. Students will learn about theories related to individual health behaviors, and the role of workplace wellness and culture as factors influencing the physical and mental health of workers. Students will examine the characteristics of psychologically healthy workplaces and programs to promote the mental wellbeing of workers. The course will also address the considerations that influence decisions about program components, including marketing, communication, quality management & assurance, budgeting, purchasing, delivery and evaluation.
This course provides a multidisciplinary introduction to the interaction between physiological, biomechanical and psychomotor functioning and psychological, cognitive, and emotional processes. It provides an introduction to physiological and cognitive systems from the standpoint of the work context. Students will situate their learning about the body and mind at work in different work situations. The course provides an insight into the dynamic interaction between an individual and work using a biopsychosocial perspective on mental and physical functioning. It also explores the interaction between work and physical and mental health and well-being, and the effectiveness of workplace strategies developed to maintain worker health and capacity, and to respond to problems.
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to three components of disability management: disability management as a discipline and the value it provides; corporate disability management programming best practice; and the role of an effective disability management practitioner in driving client experience. In each component, students will develop a broad understanding of: theories and concepts that underline disability management, legislative and policy frameworks, disability benefits and financial impacts to workers and employers, working with multiple stakeholders, client experience, and strategies and practices to achieve work retention and/or early return to work for workers who experience a work- related injury, or who are at risk of a health-related absence.
Disability Management and Return to Work.
Prerequisite: To enroll in this course, one must have completed: DMCS 750, DMCS 755, DMCS 760, DMCS 765, DMCS 770, DMCS 775, and DMCS 780.
The Capstone Course provides participants with an opportunity to review the concepts presented in previous courses in this program and to identify the priorities for their own workplaces. While the need for leadership and innovation by workplace leaders in this area has always been integral to workplace wellness, the current realities of the COVID-19 pandemic, substance use escalation and marked societal increases in mental illness, underscore the responsibilities of professionals who are involved in disability management. The Capstone Course is designed to assist participants in building a foundation of skills and knowledge related to mental health within their organizations. It provides an opportunity to develop a strategic knowledge transfer plan appropriate to the needs of their organization. Practice in supporting and justifying research processes and viewpoints will also be inherent within the activities.
$450.00
(If you have previously completed DMCS 715 – Strategies to Retain Workers Experiencing Mental Health Challenges within the last three years, you can receive an Exemption for this course upon presentation of an original transcript.)
This course provides a bigger picture overview of the workplace environment and context in which processes aimed at responding to mental health challenges are initiated. This course offers the opportunity to integrate a systematic approach to remaining and returning to work in the workplace as now more than ever, individuals responsible for disability management are looked to for leadership. Evidence-based tools enable professionals involved with disability management and return to work to act as a stable force in an environment of ‘new normal’. Approaches to identifying the issues within the participants’ workplaces, problem-solving with peers, and engaging in collaborative planning are included.
$250.00
(If you have previously completed DMCS 512 – Substance Recreational Use, Misuse and Addictions: A Disability Management Perspective within the last three years, you can receive an Exemption for this course upon presentation of an original transcript.)
This course provides an overview of substance use and addiction and its effects on the employability of workers and the productivity of the workforce. It covers the concept of substance recreational use, substance misuse and substance addictions; incidence rates; types of addictions; the challenge of comorbidity; treatment approaches and impacts; and the strategies that can be used in terms of prevention, job retention and return to work. The course overviews, from the perspective of the individual responsible for disability management, the strategies, interventions and supports that can assist employers to establish workplace prevention and promotion programs and assist at-risk workers to access appropriate treatment and to remain at work or reintegrate into the workplace.
$250.00
DMCS 770 Psychological injury: Prevention, Job Retention and RTW strategies
(If you have previously completed DMCS 514 – Psychological Injury: Prevention, Job Retention, and RTW Strategies within the last three years, you can receive an Exemption for this course upon presentation of an original transcript.)
The concept of psychological injury is addressed primarily from the perspective of the individual responsible for disability management who is involved in prevention, job retention, and return to work. The course focuses both on creating psychologically healthy workplaces, and the functional and activity implications of mental distress that arise either from a traumatic event or chronic stress. It also addresses the basis for determining legal responsibility for a mental injury as well as the challenges that arise when a psychological injury occurs comorbidly with another health condition. It covers the range of symptoms, evidence-based treatments, available interventions, and the strategies, supports and interventions that can be used to support job retention or return to work.
$250.00
(If you have previously completed DMCS 615 – Stress and Anxiety in the Workplace within the last three years, you can receive an Exemption for this course upon presentation of an original transcript.)
Information and tools required to support workers who are experiencing stress, chronic stress, anxiety and anxiety disorders are explored. The characteristics of stress, anxiety and anxiety disorders are outlined and their impact in the workplace is considered. Approaches to supporting workers will be examined along with factors that act as barriers and facilitators to remaining or returning to work. Employer obligations and workplace initiatives that can be put in place to mitigate stress and anxiety for all workers will be examined.
$250.00
In this module various ways of classifying mental health conditions are described. A range of approaches to retaining workers with mental health conditions are explored including the biopsychosocial approach. The International Classification of Functioning, and Disability and Health (ICF) is a classification system that can be used to examine work function from a range of perspectives. In assessing work ability, the capacity to function in the workplace is conceptualized as an interplay between the worker, job tasks and skills requirements, and the environment. As well, the concept of resiliency is addressed. A focus on understanding the functional challenges of workers is intertwined with the challenges of worker disclosure, invisible disabilities, and the provision of appropriate supports. Conditions commonly seen in the work environment are highlighted, with a more intensive look at depression.
$250.00
Communication skills that are key to effective practice are the focus of this course, and the development of self-awareness. Individuals responsible for disability management and workplace health programs must build and maintain relationships with managers, supervisors, labor representatives, workers with disabilities, treatment providers and others. The helping and problem-solving skills that are explored in this course are not designed to prepare participants to help workers deal with serious, long-term psychological issues. Rather, the course is intended to build awareness of how and when a disability management practitioner can provide direct assistance to a worker experiencing mental health challenges and provide referral to a specific resource.
$250.00
(If you have previously completed DMCCD – Mental Health Issues, Rehabilitation and RTW within the last three years, you can receive an Exemption for this course upon presentation of an original transcript.)
This course begins with an exploration of some of the foundations of mental health including the delineation of mental health versus mental illness. The concerning prevalence of mental health globally is examined. Course activities will then focus more specifically on the integral role of the individual responsible for disability management in guiding the recovering worker. A three-stage model of helping is introduced. Ethical considerations in executing a helping role are addressed. Consideration of the role of the mentally healthy workplace environment as an overarching concept will be integrated into the activities of the course and will continue to be addressed in other modules.
$250.00
This module provides a bigger picture overview of workers within their environment and offers the opportunity to integrate a systematic approach to remaining and returning to work. Now more than ever, RTW/DM professionals will be looked upon to be leaders. Evidence-based tools provide a means to be a stable force in an environment of ‘new normal’. Opportunities for problem-solving with peers, discussions, and the encouragement to identify the issues within the participant’s workplace are included as well as communication strategies to assist with engaging in collaborative planning. This module has been endorsed for Certified Disability Management Professional (CDMP) and Certified Return to Work Coordinator (CRTWC) professional development. The number of continuing education credit hours that can be claimed for this module is 12 hours.
$250.00
Students are responsible for the following additional costs:
- An application fee of $100 is required.
- The costs of elective courses or additional courses (such as Level 3 Practicum course), if required.
- There may be other incidental costs including textbooks and other materials.
- The cost of a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) request for any course.
- Fees for any course not completed within the Scholarship period of 2 years.
- The percentage to which the $6,000 annual scholarship will cover the actual tuition costs will be contingent on the number of transfer credits with which prospective students will enter the degree program.
For more information please refer to Tuition and Fees.
