In workers’ compensation cases, phrase used when an employee meets the requirement that he or she is expected to return to gainful employment after undergoing vocational rehabilitation services.

1. Process of facilitating an individual in the choice of or return to a suitable profession because of permanent or temporary disability. When necessary, assisting the patient to obtain training for such a career. 2. Preparing an individual regardless of age, status (whether U.S. citizen or immigrant), or physical condition (disability other than end-stage renal disease) to cope emotionally, psychologically, and physically with changing circumstances in life including remaining at school or returning to school, work, or work equivalent (homemaker).

In a workers’ compensation case, written document that describes the program designed to give assistance in returning the injured workers to the labor market and provides income while a worker completes a course of study such as academic instruction, formal training, on-the-job training, job placement assistance, or self-employment.