Return to work coordinator profiler - Frank Albanese

Get to know...

Name: Frank Albanese

Position: Workplace injury management and prevention consultant

Organisation: DXC Technology (Ent. Services Australia Pty Ltd)

Tell us a bit about your role

My role is to lead and manage DXC Technology's injury management and workers compensation portfolio across our Australian operations.

I provide high level advice on injury management systems, policies, processes and guidelines to ensure our business implements injury management processes which satisfy the requirements of Australian States and Territories WorkCover standards and legislation.

I also manage return to work plans to ensure we are able to get our employees back to either their pre-injury role or performing suitable duties as soon as possible.

What does an average day look like for you?

My average day involves contacting injured employees to see how they are feeling and tracking with their return to work plans.

I also liaise with business leaders to ensure we continue to provide ongoing duties, speak with case managers on actions and strategies, attend medical conciliation conferences with employees and review incident statistics, claims costs and any associated risks.

What do you like about your role?

I get a great sense of achievement in helping workers who are injured. The more complex the situation/incident is, the more motivated I am to further problem solve and get results.

What are the key challenges of your role?

If expectations are not set and roles and responsibilities not clarified in the initial phase of return to work, communication and commitment can be a challenge.

What advice would you give to other return to work coordinators?

I would advise any return to work coordinator that they need to be organised and understand their role and the commitment required.

You need to identify any risks with an employee’s return to work and find a solution to get a positive outcome for the worker and your organisation.

I also recommend using your networks and ask for advice from other coordinators, and attend training sessions.

What’s been your best experience as a return to work coordinator?

I was able to develop an early intervention program based on the type and number of injuries occurring in my workplace.

The program focuses on reducing musculoskeletal injuries through stretching and has additional psychosocial benefits with employees participating in a team environment.

This example highlights that the role can be used to develop other benefits to support prevention in organisations.

What hobbies do you enjoy in your spare time?

I am great believer in wellbeing and exercise regularly at my local gym. I am actively involved with my children’s sports and assist their netball and water polo teams. I also enjoy gardening and am interested in current affairs.

Dead or alive, who would you like to meet and what would you say to them?

This is a difficult question as there are a few people I would like to meet. I have a passion for strong, successful, innovative and creative leaders. I would like to meet Bill Gates and ask him what drives him to be successful as a leader and person, and what qualities he considers important for anyone in a leadership role and how they can be more successful with work, family and in the wider the community.