Functional Capacity Evaluation
A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is the physical assessment of an individual's ability to perform work-related activities. It can assist employers in a number of ways including determining the injured worker’s physical capacities for appropriate placement in the workplace, determining the percentage of disability, and/or the appropriate placement into a vocational training program.
The FCE may be used to determine:- Goals for rehabilitation or readiness for discharge
- Return to work status
- Case settlement
- Disability status
- Ability to meet job demands as part of a hiring process
- The employee has expressed hesitation about returning to work
- The employee can return to work but may not be able to perform the same job
- The employee has improved, but objective recommendations are needed for safe return to work or for additional services such as job coaching and work conditioning
- There are questions regarding the validity of the worker's complaints
- A professional assessment would help support a legal defense
- The employee is seeing additional or permanent disability
Over a period of a half day or so, we observe the worker performing various physical demands. This comprehensive assessment of the worker's physical abilities includes:
- Sit, stand and walk tolerances
- Repetitive and sustained upper extremity tolerances
- Safe capacities for bend, lift, carry, push, pull
- Repetitive and sustained lower extremity tolerance
- Aerobic capacity and endurance for tasks
Our written results provide you and the entire care team with an objective evaluation of the employee's true capabilities. Informed decisions can then be made regarding work restrictions, possible needs for additional training, work conditioning, or job placement. It will also help determine, when needed, an actual percentage of disability. You'll benefit by knowing that you have an objective, professional statement of the worker's condition.