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RTWDM/Study Guide

Return to Work Disability Manager, RTWDM

Scope of Practice

Return to Work Disability Managers have specialized expertise in developing, coordinating, implementing timely & effective individualized return to work programs following illness or injuries, to enable clients to return to productive & meaningful participation in job duties while ensuring their safety & the safety of others in the workplace. Registrants with this specialty possess a unique set of knowledge, experiences, skills, as well as the ability to determine & apply interventions & strategies, which are used to support affected worker, employers, unions, health care providers & any other stakeholder. Registrants with this specialty are responsible for minimizing the impact of illness or injuries on workers, coworkers, employers & organizations while maximizing the recovery of the affected worker.

Areas of Expertise

The RTWDM provides services necessary to assist workers who, due to an injury or illness, experience, or at risk of experiencing, a loss of function to remain at work &/or return to work.

RTWDM Study Guide

RTWDM Eligibility & application process

Prior to applying, forward a current resume/CV to info@cvrp.ca to determine eligibility at NO COST.
1. Application & non refundable fee, (includes exam, up to 3 rewrites). Fee Schedule; &
2. Proof of ability to work in Canada (government ID). If you do not currently hold Canadian citizenship, submit authorization under the Immigration Act (Canada) to engage in employment in Canada; &
3. Education transcripts. CVRP is accepting soft copies but reserves the right to request hard certified copies; &

4. Proof of Disability Management Experience:
4.1. CVRP in good standing; &

  • Demonstrate 5o hours of competency courses in DM in last 5 years
  • 800 FTE hours performing roles & responsibilities in last 5 years (50% in delivery of RTW/DM); &/OR

4.2. Post graduate degree in DM, VR or related field (nursing, social work, OT, physiotherapy, kinesiology, chiropractic, MD) (if degree achieved more than 5 years prior to applying 50 hours of RTW/DM competency related courses during last 5 years); &

  • 800 FTE hours performing roles & responsibilities in last 5 years (50% in delivery of RTW/DM); OR

4.3. Bachelor’s degree in DM or a VR-related field (nursing, social work, OT, physiotherapy, kinesiology, chiropractic) (if degree achieved more than 5 years prior to applying 50 hours of RTW/DM competency related courses during last 5 years); &

  • 1 year performing roles & responsibilities in last 5 years (50% or more in delivery of RTW/DM); OR

4.4. Diploma or Certificate program in VR or DM (if program achieved more than 5 years prior to applying 50 hours of RTW/DM competency related courses during last 5 years); &

  • 2 years performing roles & responsibilities in last 5 years (50% or more in delivery of RTW/DM); &

5. Successful exam (minimum of 70%, up to 3 rewrites). Applicant must sit the exam within 1 year of application submission; &
6. Initial, first year registration fee within 60 days of exam. Fee Schedule
A Registrant profile is created &/or updated on the Public Registry, to display current certification status(s)
Registrants are granted a 4 to 6 weeks grace period to submit:
7. Current Vulnerable Sector Police Check (VSPC)/Criminal Police Check (PC) & Errors & Omissions (E&O)/Liability Insurance;

RTWDM Application

The RTWDM online exam with virtual proctoring is one 3 hour session. It is a competency examination based on disability management, consisting of 150 multiple-choice questions. Applicants must sit the exam within 1 year of application submission. A minimum grade of 70% is required. If exam rewrites are required (up to 3 rewrites) fees are payable to CVRP, online exam provider, & virtual proctor. Applicants that require a rewrite after the 1 year application submission expiry must complete each rewrite within 3 months.

Online Examinations

RTWDM Certification Compliance

1 Year Renewal Application/Declaration/Fee/Insurance
2 Year 20 CEUs Core Competencies/Domains of Learning 3 Ethics (Domain 8 Vocational Rehabilitation or 6 Vocational Evaluation or 2 Cost of Care ) 10 Disability Management (Domain 7 Vocational Rehabilitation)
5 Year VSPC/Criminal Police Check

For CEUs not on the Approved CEU List, submit a:
CEU post-approval application
CEU pre-approval application

Registration Polices
Annual Renewal & Certification Compliance
Standards of Practice & College Bylaw 
Complaints & Discipline

For more information, contact CVRP.