Job Demand Analysis / Ergonomics
A Job Demand Analysis identifies and provides a detailed description of the physical demands of the components of an individual employee’s job. These components are analyzed by certified therapists utilizing objective measurables. This information is used to quantify the physical demands placed on the employee.
A Job Demand Analysis allows a better understanding of the interaction between a worker and their specific working environment or equipment.
A Job Demand Analysis can vary from a general overview of a job and its tasks to a detailed description of the forces required to perform one specific operation.
A Job Demand Analysis can serve many functions in a variety or working environments, from a new office space to a well-established manufacturing plant.
A Job demand Analysis can help to:
- Create or update accurate job descriptions
- Identify problems in an existing job or workplace
- Help identify issues and potential problems before a new design or system is implemented
- Trace the origin of an injury
- Provide medical professionals with guidelines for an employee’s safe return to work
- Identify areas where ergonomic changes may be required
- Establish a screening system for job applicants to ensure safety and improve productivity
A work site assessment is utilized to identify the essential physical, cognitive, and perceptual demands of an individual’s job. The work site assessment specifically relates the job demands and work situation to an employee’s known abilities and limitations.
This assessment is conducted by a qualified professional with both the employee and employer being present.
Post-Offer Employment Assessment
As our region continues to change and evolve so does our approach in evaluating and determining if a potential individual has the physical capabilities to be a good employee. A critical component is determining if an individual has the ability to properly and safely perform the tasks required for the job they’re being hired for. A Post-Offer Employment Assessment considers the relationship between a person and their specific work environment. It takes into account an individual’s physical factors, work systems, and other work processes.
-
The Post-Offer Employment Assessment will be performed by one of our trained physical therapists who are certified in ergonomics.
-
A Post-Offer Employment Assessment will take place at our clinic or at the individual’s work place, if possible.
-
A Post-Offer Employment Assessment documents pre-existing conditions which can be documented in case of future injuries to that region.
A full report including all pertinent supporting data is presented, so that a company has the information needed to make educated decisions related to their hiring process.
The focus of a Post-Offer Employment Assessment is to ensure that an employer makes sound decisions on the individuals they hire as well as what specific job they assign their new employees. Most significant injuries related to an employees inability to perform their job function due to the fact that they don’t have the physical ability to perform that task happen within the first thirty (30) to forty-five (45) days on the job. Utilizing a Post-Offer Employment Assessment allows an employer to make decisions based on statistical data to determine:
- Does this individual have the physical ability to perform the essential job demands day in and day out safely?
- Which of the job positions are available does this indivual best fit. Where are his or her physical attributes best utilized.
Each analysis is designed specific to the employer and the job descriptions they have provided. If needed, we send a team to your facility or designated work location to evaluate the basic requirements of an identified position (Job Demand Analysis). Once the program is developed, your company is invited to our clinic to evaluate the Post-Offer Employment Assessment created. At that time we make any changes that need to be made and the program is ready to be launched.
Functional Capacity Evaluations
A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is a systematic process utilized by health professionals to assess an individual’s physical capacities and functional capabilities.
-
The FCE compares an individual’s performance level to the demands of a specific job, work activity or occupation.
-
The FCE establishes the physical demand level an individual can perform safely.
-
The FCE is useful in determining any necessary job modifications to prevent further injury or ability to return to pre-injury duties safely.
-
FCE’s can provide objective information regarding functional work ability in the determination of occupational disability status.
-
FCE’s are used to predict the potential ability to perform work following acute rehabilitation, work hardening/conditioning programs.
The Functional Capacity Evaluation assesses the individual’s flexibility, strength, balance, coordination, cardiovascular condition and body mechanics. An effective FCE determines whether there is a match between the individual’s functional capabilities and the physical demands of his/her specific job functions.
Typically, the FCE focuses on a job goal rather than on individual aptitudes, interest and temperaments. There are two types of FCE’s:
-
Baseline FCE: An objective assessment of the individual’s physical abilities to perform a variety of tasks related to the physical demands of work
-
Job Specific FCE: An evaluation of the individual’s physical abilities to function within the parameters of the essential functions of an identified occupation. Work simulation is often an integral component of the evaluation.
Our physical therapist certified in FCE’s will perform this evaluation. The evaluation usually takes up to 4-5 hours depending on the individual’s needs. The procedure involves filling out pain and function questionnaires and completing physical tasks that have been selected by the therapist that will best meet the individual’s needs. The therapist will then analyze the data collected from the session to reflect specific objective information regarding functional work ability and/or determination of occupational disability status.
Who Should Be Referred?
- Individuals who have achieved maximum medical improvement (MMI) but continue to have issues related to re-injury and return to work
- Individuals who need quantification of their physical capacities for determination of disability status.
- Individuals who need to quantify ability to safely return to pre-injury duties.
Work Conditioning / Work Hardening
Work Hardening/Conditioning is a comprehensive, structured, goal-oriented program that optimizes functional and physical endurance in accordance with a patient's specific work goals. The program helps patients increase strength and endurance for a safe and successful return to work.
| Work Conditioning |
Work Hardening |
|
|
| Addresses physical and functional needs - may be provided by one discipline (single discipline model) |
Addresses physical, functional, behavioral, vocational needs within a multi-disciplinary model |
| Requires work conditioning examination and evaluation |
Requires work hardening examination and evaluation |
| Utilizes physical conditioning and functional activities related to work. |
Utilizes real or simulated work activities. |
| Provided in multi-hour sessions up to: |
Provided in multi-hour sessions up to: |
| * 4 hours / day |
* 8 hours / day |
| * 5 days / week |
* 5 days / week |
Work Conditioning Program Content:
-
Development of program goals in relation to job skills and job requirements. Interventions to improve strength, endurance, movement, flexibility, motor control and cardiovascular/pulmonary capacity related to the performance of work tasks.
-
Practice, modification, and instruction in work related activities.
-
Education related to safe job performance and injury prevention.
-
Promotion of patient/client responsibility and self-management.
Work Hardening Program Content:
-
Development of program goals and outcomes in relationship to specific job requirements.
-
Interventions to develop joint integrity and mobility, motor function (motor control and motor learning), muscle performance (including strength, power, and endurance), range of motion, and cardiovascular/pulmonary capacity related to the performance of work tasks.
-
Practice, modification, and instruction in simulated or real work activities.
-
Education related to safe job performance and injury prevention.
-
Provision of behavioral and vocational services as determined by the respective Work Hardening provider.
-
Promotion of patient/client responsibility and self-management.