Industrial Rehabilitation
Work Conditioning is an intensive, work related, goal oriented conditioning program designed to restore physical capacity and function in order to help employees return to work.
The program is designed to improve the employee's joint mobility, strength, power, endurance, motor learning, and aerobic capacity to facilitate a quick and safe return to work.
Duration and frequency of program:
2-4 hours/day, 3-5 days/week,
1-8 weeks duration
The injured worker will transition from acute rehab to a job specific program when deemed appropriate by the therapist and the physician.
Daily documentation on the worker's progress in the will be available to the employee, employer, other providers, insurance carriers, and the referral source.
Employees will be educated on issues related to safe job performance and injury prevention. Our ultimate goal is to return the employee to work as quickly as possible at his or her prior level of function before the injury.
- Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)
FCE's are intensive evaluations that focus on the major physical tolerance abilities related to musculoskeletal strength, endurance, speed, and flexibility. Results are compared to the physical demands of the job and recommendations are made involving return to work options.
A FCE is a 3-4 hour comprehensive, objective test of a person's ability to perform work related tasks. A FCE is job specific and identifies functional limitations that may prohibit a safe return to work.
The FCE is a validated test that has been heavily supported in published medical literature.
FCE's are commonly performed for many post-operative worker's compensation patients and for employees at the conclusion of their work conditioning program.
A FCE certified tester will perform the test and prepare a concise report for the referring physician, case manager, and employer after the conclusion of the test.
- Physical Performance Test
Physical Performance Tests (PPT's) are post-offer tests that evaluate an employee's ability to perform essential job functions.
These tests are utilized by companies that have physical, frequent lifting tasks with high turnover and injury rates.
Steps to developing a PAT
- Review job description with employer
- Perform Job Site Analysis to identify essential job functions
- Develop job-specific test
- Consult with employer on validity of test
- Schedule prospective employee for testing
Testing Procedure
- Health questionnaire completed
- Vital Signs taken
- PPT performed
- Pass/Fail determined by tester
- Results sent to employer
A comprehensive and effective PPT is an essential part of an injury prevention plan for employers. Ultimately, PPT's are directly proportional with lower injury rates which are a cost effective solution for an employer's rising worker's compensation costs.
- Other Industrial Rehabilitation Services Offered:
- Ergonomic Computer Work Station Analysis
- Job Site Analysis
- Injury Prevention Classes
- Back Schools