A. Comprehensive Vocational Assessment.

(1) As soon as practicable, a practitioner shall meet with the disabled covered employee and conduct a comprehensive vocational assessment in compliance with Labor and Employment Article, 9-670(d), Annotated Code of Maryland.

(2) A nurse case manager providing telephonic medical case management may conduct an initial assessment by telephone.

(3) A comprehensive vocational assessment may include evaluation of the disabled covered employee's:

• (a) Age;

• (b) Education, including information about education level, courses or transcripts, licenses, and certifications or registrations obtained by the disabled covered employee in the past;

• (c) Complete work history, addressing any gaps in employment;

• (d) Transferable skills and experience, whether obtained from prior employment, prior courses and training, prior vocational rehabilitation services or plans, or non-work related activities such as hobbies and/or volunteer experience;

• (e) Current physical and mental conditions caused by the injury or occupational disease, and the effect of those conditions on the disabled covered employee's ability to work;

• (f) Pre-existing physical and mental conditions and the effect of those conditions on the disabled covered employee's ability to work;

• (g) Post-injury physical and mental conditions and the effect of those nonrelated conditions on the disabled covered employee's ability to work;

•  (h) Wage and employment at the time of injury;

• (i) Barriers to employment, including whether the barriers can be removed and what is needed to address the barriers;

• (j) Current financial status; and

• (k) Family supports/psychosocial aspects.