Occupational Health/Workers Compensation
Work Related Therapy Services

• Work Conditioning Services
• Functional Capacity Evaluation
• Work Hardening Services
• Pre-Employment Strength Test
• Injury Education

Work Conditioning Services

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Functional Capacity Evaluation

A comprehensive, objective, evaluation that tests the client’s current ability to perform the specific physical activities and demands of the job; their use of body mechanics and performance in a job-simulated obstacle course. All data is correlated to their job description requirements. A detailed written report can be provided to the case manager, insurance carrier, physician and employer.

This evaluation will identify a clients potential to:

• RTW full duty
• RTW following further rehabilitation; for instance work hardening
• RTW modified duty with certain accommodations
• Rehabilitate and achieve their highest level of function required to safely return to productive, gainful employment

This evaluation can also assist in case closure once the client achieves maximal medical improvement.

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Work Hardening Services

Work Hardening Services are intended for the individual who, after completing a course of therapy and work conditioning, is still unable to meet the physical demands of the job. This may be due to a combination of a continued lack of endurance, decreased strength and flexibility, coupled with diminished confidence in their ability to safely return to work.

We create an increased opportunity for success through daily participation in a highly customized, structured, job related set of activities that are goal oriented, that clearly document the client’s ongoing functional gains, in turn creating greater independence and confidence.

Clients are scheduled four hours per day, five days per week and participate in a supervised, individually designed activity program which is gradually progressed by staff physical and occupational therapists. Often, Work Hardening is done in conjunction with part time modified duty, if available, at the discretion of the treating physician. Activities include upper extremity, lower extremity and trunk strengthening and flexibility exercises, instruction and monitoring of proper body mechanics, actual job simulation at workstations such as repetitive lifting, carpentry, assembly, etc. Our goal is to prepare the injured individual to safely return to full duty.

As part of our comprehensive program our clients participate in monthly sessions of a “Back School” presentation, Lifestyle Management Session, as well as, have the opportunity to address Vocational Issues with our Vocational Counselor during a Return to Work Group session. In addition, Team Meetings with the client, Nurse Case Managers and the therapists in the program are scheduled on an as-needed basis.

Ongoing communication is an integral aspect of our service model. We believe that the employer, case manager, adjustor, referring and primary physician must be kept abreast of the client’s progress and success. We consider communication equally imperative if there has been a change in the client’s participation, attendance or medical condition.

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Pre-Employment Strength Test

Performed by a Physical Therapist. This ergonomics physical ability test typically consist of a strength test, endurance test, and/or postural/agility test. The exact composition of the battery depends upon the physical demands of the job for which testing is being utilized. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the strength and postural/agility tests are considered physical agility tests, and can therefore be used either before or after a conditional offer of employment has been extended. The endurance test, however, is considered a medical test because it actually assesses the applicant’s physical fitness level. Accordingly, the endurance test should be used only in a post-offer setting.

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Injury Education

Safety: Offerings include, ergonomic analysis, injury prevention and education programs.

Back Schools: Taught in an interactive format, our Back School emphasizes employee responsibility to prevent injuries. The program is designed to educate employees on proper body mechanics and posture while performing their specific job tasks.

Cumulative Trauma Presentations: Group program that identifies risk factors and offers practical strategies for the prevention and management of disorders resulting from repetitive tasks.

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