Insurer Services: Innovative Rehabilitation Consultants


IRC Consultants have diverse experience, background and training in all areas of claims management, human resources, disability management, early intervention and prevention. The majority of IRC staff are members of VRA Canada, and Garry Derenoski (President, CEO of IRC) is the current President of VRA Canada (2008-present).


We pride ourselves with a strong mentorship program for all our employees. The IRC management team has over 85 years of combined experience in the industry.




Initial Assesment

Upon referral, IRC Consultants will make contact with the client within 24 hours. An initial meeting will be arranged within 5 business days and a detailed report will be forwarded to you within 10 business days of referral with recommendations for the file’s progression. When required, contact with the employer and necessary care providers will also be made within 5 days.


Return to Work / Stay at Work Programs

IRC Consultants participate in specialized training in negotiating duty to accommodate, employer/employee responsibilities and pride ourselves in repairing relationships. Our IWRP’s (Individualized Written Rehabilitation Plans) contain detailed expectations and accountability of all parties involved. In 2010, IRC had an 80% success rate in the successful coordination of client’s returning to, and staying at work within 4 weeks, regardless of the time the client had previously been off of work.


Claims Adjudication

We are well versed in automobile insurance legislation and have over 109 years of combined experience in claims adjudication. IRC has up to date knowledge of all prevailing legislations. We also have Commissionaires of Oaths on staff and are happy to provide assistance or complete file management.


Worksite Assessment

IRC’s team of Occupational Therapists are Matheson Certified with specialized training in conducting worksite assessments as well as providing comprehensive, easy to follow, user-friendly reports with innovative recommendations to ensure the worksite is conducive for the worker.

IRC staff have access to specialized equipment that coupled with a rigorous training and mentorship program, allow staff to produce innovative and informative worksite assessment reports. Using a proven method of Observation, Demonstration and Confirmation, the Occupational Therapists are able to gather objective, defensible information. This information combined with the stringent quality assurance process provides the end user a detailed report that is timely and cost effective.


Home Assessment

IRC Occupational Therapists provide expedited services throughout all our centres, and in all possible cases, regionalize and consolidate rural travel, which provides a cost savings to you. Our office houses a comprehensive inventory of adaptive equipment to promote independence of your clients. Upon receipt of medical information, the Therapists complete a pre-assessment of needs and travel to the client’s home with related equipment. We can provide those items during the initial home visit to promote an immediate increase in independence. For specialty items, we will have them delivered to the client within 3 days.


Physical Demands Analysis

All IRC Assessors have extensive clinical experience in conducting Physical Demands Analysis. The knowledge, credentials and expertise that each clinician has enables them to delve deep into each job task. Using specialized equipment coupled with photographs and video of each of the expected tasks, Assessors ensure that the referral source receives a thorough report that is easy to follow yet comprehensive.


Ergonomic Assessments

IRC’s Assessors provide extensive education to all key stakeholders throughout the process of the Ergonomic Assessment. Each Assessor is trained in the field of ergonomics coupled with specialized training in adult learning principles. IRC’s philosophy of “Prevention through Education” ensures that all clients receive extensive training on ergonomics via demonstrations, handouts, learning aids, etc. The Assessor also provides training for the employer and union, if so desired, in order to ensure that all parties understand the importance of proper ergonomics associated with each task.

IRC has had tremendous success in positive negotiations with employers for the purchase of ergonomic equipment and other aspects of the return-to-work process. The ability to ensure that all key stakeholders are working together is an integral ingredient in the successful return to function process.


Functional Abilities and Capacity Evaluations

Functional Abilities/Capacities Evaluations are performed by certified Assessors that have had extensive training using specialized equipment. Each Assessor’s report undergoes a stringent quality assurance process. State of the art equipment to perform functional testing, including work simulation tasks, provides IRC Assessors with precise data that is useful in a variety of contexts. IRC Assessors identify individual strengths, abilities, needs and preferences by utilizing subjective questionnaires, real and/or simulated work activities, consistency of effort measures and various standardized tests.


Cognitive Testing

This screening is performed by our Occupational Therapists from a battery of tools such as Mini-Mentals, Cognistat, and our Therapists have specialized interest and training in mental health, ABI, etc.


Onsite Job Monitoring

Our Jobsite Monitoring is provided by Occupational Therapists or Kinesiologists. We provide extensive education, personalized stretches, video, photo and confirmation of tasks including safe lifting limits based on weights and medical information provided. Our jobsite monitoring has over a 90% success rate in keeping clients at work who have experienced struggle throughout their return to work. Often a return to work can start earlier than anticipated, as the medical practitioners feel more comfortable that a client will be followed by another medical personnel.


Farm Assessments

A number of our Therapists are well versed with a knowledge of the agriculture industry. As such, we are able to provide innovative adaptations to every day farming life and have successfully modified countless farms, tractors, augers, etc. to allow for an increased independence to agriculture lifestyle.


Provision and Education of Adaptive Equipment

IRC has an extensive library of information regarding the policies of hurt versus harm, pacing techniques, proper body mechanics, stages of tissue healing and much more. We have a massive inventory of adaptive equipment in our offices to allow for immediate shipment of approved aids to promote independence.


Exercise Therapy Programs

These programs are developed and implemented by our Kinesiologists. Our programs have been very prosperous due to the individuality and innovation our staff devotes to each client. Exercise Therapy has helped individuals stay at work, return to homemaking, and improve their overall quality of life. Exercise Therapy programs have been a successful follow up program after in-clinic rehabilitation.


Employment Counselling and Job Search/Job Placement

We work with our clients one on one to determine appropriate career options. We consider their experience, education, and utilize their interest and aptitude testing results to provide suitable choices to the client. We have liased with countless employers over the past ten years and have a large roster of establishments who have repeatedly taken in placements. We have many tools which allow the client as much or as little assistance from IRC as required and we encourage the clients to participate actively in their job search.


Employment Preparation Training

Employment preparation also involves one on one training with the client. Included is resume development, role playing to improve interviewing techniques, creative job search and tools to access the hidden job market. Our employment preparation provides clients with a feeling of independence, self respect, and success in the job market.


Transferable Skills Analysis and Alternate Occupations

Our Consultants complete in depth testing and gather extensive background information on our clients. Our experience in the industry has provided us with the knowledge to support sound career transitions based on work, life, and interest of our clients. IRC has completed countless reports for the process of determining clients into an alternate occupation. Over the past five years, we have had a substantial success rate in our initial alternative occupations recommendations being upheld through appeal. We have received legal feedback from both plaintiff and councils indicating our reports “stand alone,” which results in our Consultants not having to be called to testify.


Interest and Aptitude Testing

IRC has several employees dedicated to performing and assessing individuals interests and aptitudes. We have performed thousands of assessments utilizing a number of different vocational tools.


Labour Market Surveys

IRC provides extensive training to our Consultants in the area of LMS. Our Consultants are thorough, innovative, and always provide 100% sound Labour Market information to support alternative occupations chosen.


Cost of Future Care Analysis

Cost of future care analysis are used as part of a life care plan. IRC uses this tool to help insurance carriers determine financial reserves that will need to be created in the case of a severe disability. The cost of future care analysis takes into consideration housing, medical, transportation, personal care and medical/therapeutic needs that can be foreseen in the future.