How do you know when your ready to return to work duties and at what level?
Answer: Functional Capacity Evaluations
Our physiotherapy staff are trained Workhab and Jobfit evaluators. This means they have undertaken extensive training in standardised assessment methods to evaluate a workers ability to return to safe duties e.g. lifting capacity, postural tolerances.
What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)
A functional capacity evaluation (FCE) is a series of standardised tests used to objectively assess a worker’s functional capacities for work. This testing is completed by a Bodyfix physiotherapist , usually within our specially designed offices or occasionally onsite within the workplace.
An FCE is used to determine a worker’s abilities over a range of physical demands in order to facilitate his or her functional recovery. A FCE should be used to match what the worker can actually do physically against the critical physical demands of a job role (either pre injury duties or new duties)
An FCE may be used as a source of information for:
â–ª Developing return to work plans
â–ª Communicating relevant information to involved parties including the worker, the doctor and employer about rehabilitation requirements
â–ª Making recommendations about interventions such as safe manual handling and other actions which will facilitate return to work
▪ Assessing the worker’s capacity to meet the physical demands of specific duties when other sources do not provide this information.
â–ª Specifying duties including proposed return to work duties or different duties.
Bodyfix use the WorkHab's© FCE method which is one of the most widely researched and reliable forms of functional capacity evaluation available.