Strengthen your injured worker to ensure safe return to work.
The injured worker may undergo a Work Conditioning Program following formal outpatient Rehabilitation.
Work Conditioning is “advanced therapy;” the worker is asked to perform tasks that simulate his/her job. These tasks include pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, reaching, climbing, dexterity, etc. The employee works through several job simulated tasks just as they were at work. Work Conditioning sessions generally last from 2-4 hours, but can be as long as 8 hours.
Usually a Functional Capacity Evaluation is performed following the Work Conditioning program. This evaluation and report give the employer information regarding the physical abilities of the worker. This ensures the worker can safely transition back to their previous job. In cases where the worker is unable to perform the physical tasks of the job they had when they were injured, the report outlines their physical capabilities so that a position can be found for the worker.
FCE results can provide specific areas of focus/goals for a Work Conditioning or Work Hardening (simulated work) program.
If you have an injured employee at your workplace, contact TOP PROformance to institute a Work Conditioning program for your company today!
FCEs are performed at a location close to the patient's residence. This may be a physical therapy clinic, physicians office, or even at a hotel conference facitlity. To schedule an FCE with a Certified Functional Capacity Evaluator, call 706-331-0028.
What is an FCE?
A Functional Capacity Evaluation, commonly called an FCE, is an evaluation designed to determine a worker's ability to perform certain physical tasks. It is a scientifically based, unbiased, objective, medical evaluation of the injured worker.
FCE's are helpful in determining what a person is or is not physically capable of doing & whether they can return to pre-injury work loads with or without modifications. It, also, allows the injured worker to return to work safely without risk of further aggravating their injury.
Brief History of the FCE:
The FCE was developed as a means to rehabilitate war veterans in the 1920's. It eventually moved away from this practice model & toward the medical rehabilitative model, examining actual work functions & designing work conditioning/hardening programs to progress patients toward returning to work.
An FCE allows the clinician to evaluate the worker's ability to perform work related physical tasks as well as Activities of Daily Living (ADLs).
Keys to an FCE:
Critical that maximal effort is given during all phases of the FCE in order to gain the best information and make the proper recommendations regarding the person's true physical abilities.
Comfortable clothing is a requirement, as the worker will be performing various physical activities such as squatting, bending, reaching, lifting, and walking, usually "gym clothes" or attire similar to or the actual work uniform, are best to wear.
The FCE can last from 3.5 to 8 hours, depending upon the number of tasks to be assessed, number of rest periods taken, and the full time requirements of the job.
When is an FCE ordered?
An FCE is usually ordered by the Insurance Adjustor or Worker's Compensation Case Manager and must be authorized by the treating physician. An FCE is most effective when performed early.
