Complete a Functional Capacity Assessment & Pre Employment Evaluation
Watch this video for the TLDR version.
We assess lifting capacity, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, twisting.
We also review sitting, standing, driving and walking tolerance.
In today's world, maintaining a healthy workforce is crucial for both employees and employers. This is where the expertise of physiotherapists comes into play, especially when it comes to conducting functional evaluations and pre-employment screenings. These assessments are essential for ensuring that employees are physically capable of performing their job duties effectively and safely. In this blog post, we'll dive into the world of physiotherapy and explore how these evaluations and screenings are conducted.
Functional Evaluations: Assessing Physical Abilities
Functional evaluations are comprehensive assessments conducted by physiotherapists to gauge an individual's physical capabilities and limitations. These evaluations serve various purposes, including rehabilitation, injury prevention, and job-specific assessments. Here's a breakdown of how physiotherapists complete functional evaluations:
Patient History: The process begins with gathering information about the individual's medical history, previous injuries, and current complaints. This helps the physiotherapist understand the patient's overall health and any pre-existing conditions that may affect their assessment.
Physical Examination: A thorough physical examination follows, where the physiotherapist evaluates the patient's posture, joint mobility, muscle strength, and flexibility. Specialized tests may be conducted to assess specific areas of concern.
Functional Testing: This phase involves assessing the patient's ability to perform tasks relevant to their daily life or job requirements. For example, if the assessment is for a construction worker, it might involve lifting, carrying, and bending tasks. The physiotherapist observes and measures the patient's performance, looking for any signs of discomfort, limitations, or compensatory movements.
Analysis and Recommendations: Based on the assessment findings, the physiotherapist develops a detailed report, outlining the patient's strengths and weaknesses. They provide recommendations for treatment, rehabilitation, or workplace modifications if necessary. The goal is to help the patient improve their functional capacity and reduce the risk of injuries.
Pre-Employment Screenings: Ensuring Job Fitness
Pre-employment screenings are specialized assessments conducted by physiotherapists to determine if a job applicant is physically capable of meeting the demands of a specific job role. Here's how this process typically unfolds:
Job Analysis: Before the screening, the physiotherapist reviews the job description and requirements provided by the employer. This includes understanding the physical demands, lifting requirements, and any other job-specific tasks.
Physical Assessment: The applicant undergoes a comprehensive physical assessment, which may include tests related to strength, endurance, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness. The assessment is tailored to match the physical demands of the job.
Functional Testing: Similar to functional evaluations, the applicant may be asked to perform tasks relevant to the job they're applying for. This allows the physiotherapist to assess whether they can safely and effectively perform the required tasks.
Report and Recommendations: Based on the assessment results, the physiotherapist generates a report that indicates whether the applicant meets the physical requirements of the job. Recommendations may include fitness training, ergonomic adjustments, or modifications to accommodate specific limitations.
Physiotherapists play a vital role in ensuring the physical well-being of individuals in the workplace. Functional evaluations and pre-employment screenings help identify physical limitations, reduce the risk of workplace injuries, and facilitate the rehabilitation process when injuries do occur. By working closely with physiotherapists, employers can create safer and healthier work environments, while individuals can better understand and improve their physical capabilities for both their job and daily life.
If you're an employer or an individual seeking to assess physical capabilities, don't hesitate to contact us on 0402 832 329 or book here.
