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Workman’s Compensation
Work conditioning/Post-offer testing/Fit for duty/FCE
Work Conditioning: an intensive, work-related, goal-oriented conditioning program designed specifically to restore systemic neuromusculoskeletal functions (e.g., joint integrity and mobility, muscle performance (including strength, power, and endurance), motor function (motor control and motor learning), range of motion (including muscle length), and cardiovascular/pulmonary functions (e.g. aerobic capacity/endurance, circulation, and ventilation and respiration/gas exchange). The objective of the work conditioning program is to restore physical capacity and function to enable the patient/client to return to work. (APTA Definition)
Post-offer testing: A test completed by a Physical Therapist, on a worker who has been offered a position by the employer, to evaluate the employee’s physical ability to safely perform the assigned job description. This test is specifically designed to test the physical requirements of the job as established by the job description. All aspects of a Physical Therapy evaluation are used including: Client history, flexibility, strength, joint integrity, posture, mobility/body mechanics, neurological testing, and job specific tasks.
Fit for duty testing: A similar test to the post-offer test where an employee is evaluated according to the job description tasks to ensure they are fit to return to work after a non-work related injury or physical ailment that has had them off work for an extended time. This ensures the employees safety in returning to work and limits risk of potential work- related injury.
Functional capacity evaluation (FCE): A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is a systematic process of assessing an individual's physical capacities and functional abilities. The FCE matches human performance levels to the demands of a specific job or work activity or occupation. The FCE establishes the physical level of work an individual can perform.
The FCE may be used:
- To determine the individual's ability to safely return to work full time or on modified duty.
- To determine if work restrictions, job modifications, or reasonable accommodations are necessary to prevent further injury
- To determine the extent to which impairments exist, or the degree of physical disability for compensation purposes
- To predict the potential ability to perform work following acute rehabilitation or a work- hardening/work- conditioning program
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