Printing - FECA-PT2 - National Association of Letter Carriers

2-0600-5 Nurse Services
5. Nurse Services. This paragraph addresses the use of OWCP RNs to assist claimants in returning to
work.
a. Definitions. The Staff Nurse (SN) is an OWCP employee who assigns cases to and
coordinates the work of Field Nurses (FNs), who meet with claimants, employing agencies and
physicians, and CAP nurses, who interact with these parties by telephone. (See PM Chapters
2-0810, 2-0813, and 3-0201 for a fuller discussion of RNs and their duties.)
b. Scope of RN Services. As noted in paragraph 4c above, the SN may make the "return to
work" telephone call at district office option, using a computer-generated report. The SN will
document the results on Form CA-110, which the CE will review. The SN will take no further action
on the case without a specific referral from the CE, but the SN may begin this process by using the
nurse referral Form OWCP-57.
(1) Continuing Interventions. The CE may ask that the FN contact the claimant,
attending physician, and/or employing agency to address the claimant's questions
concerning medical care; to obtain treatment plans, return to work dates, and descriptions
of work limitations; and to arrange return to work.
The CE may also ask if more active treatment or more active participation by the claimant in
the recovery process appears to be needed. Also, the CE may want the RN to address
surgery, prolonged treatments such as physical therapy without clear goals or direction, and
multiple concurrent medical/psychological issues.
(2) Advice. The CE may ask the SN for advice where the claimant has sustained a
catastrophic injury or has undergone surgery. Likewise, a brief consultation with the SN
may be in order to assess whether a particular treatment is appropriate, to help the
claimant explore treatment centers, or understand the purpose of particular diagnostic
tests.
c. Time Frames. Continuing interventions should usually not exceed 120 days. They may be
shorter if the claimant's medical situation stabilizes quickly, or if the FN cannot obtain a return to
work date from the physician.
FECA-PT2 Printed: 06/08/2010 59