WHAT IS A FIT FOR DUTY EVALUATION?

  • A systematic evaluation process designed to document a person’s current work abilities and limitations.
  • The primary purpose of this evaluation is to determine a person’s ability to safely return to work following an injury or illness.
  • A fitness for duty evaluation (Job specific functional capacity evaluation) provides employers and medical providers a clinically-based, objective assessment of the injured worker’s functional ability to perform specific work related tasks. It is recommended for a worker who is returning to work following an injury or extensive lay-off.

WHY FUNCTIONAL ABILITIES TESTING?

  • Reduce injuries and associated losses
  • Increase productivity
  • Decrease staff turnover
  • Determine a worker’s ability to safely return to their job.
  • Match a worker’s abilities with the physical requirements of their job.

THE KINESIOPHYSICAL APPROACH
This biomechanical approach allows a therapist skilled in musculoskeletal evaluation and function to indicate when an individual has reached his or her safe maximum work capacity. The therapist carefully observes muscle function, movement patterns, physiological changes and worker behavior to determine accurate work levels. A physical examination is correlated with the functional findings and observations to provide rationale for limitations. The kinesiophysical approach stresses safety, as clients will not be allowed to perform any activity in a way that would put them at risk for injury.

EVALUATION COMPONENTS

  • Musculoskeletal examination (strength, range of motion, etc.)
  • Evaluation of positional tolerances (sitting, standing, and walking)
  • Gait assessment
  • Repetitive movement tests
  • Whole body static strength
  • Material handling: (lift, carry, push/pull)
  • Non-material handling: (bend/stoop, squat, kneel, crawl, reach, climb, balance and use of arm/leg controls
  • Other job specific testing as indicated

Our Testing Program:

  • Complies with ADA, EEOC, OSHA and other government requirements
  • Deliveries measurable results with a high return on investment
  • Objective measurement based