Fitness for Duties Assessment

RECOVERY PARTNERS: THE REHAB EXPERTS
Fitness for Duties Assessments
Fitness for Duties Assessments are specifically designed to review an individual’s ability to re-engage in working tasks following extended absences. The assessments require an individual to perform physical and/or psychological tasks equal to levels of exertion in workplace environments and offer a benchmark for individual ability.
These assessments inform you of an individual’s functional ability and their ability to return to the workplace safely following a noted health condition that has restricted their performance historically.
Our qualified allied health team including Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Exercise Physiologists, and Psychologists, perform these assessments either within the workplace or a controlled environment e.g. consultation rooms.
When is a Fitness for Duties Assessment needed?
- When it is unclear as to whether the individual can safely perform routine work tasks.
- If an individual has been away from work for an extended period.
- When medical professionals require a greater clarity to help guide return to work planning.
What’s involved?
Our consultants utilise specific functional capacity evaluation models that are internationally recognised to guide assessment regimes. These evaluations provide clear and objective guidelines regarding an individual’s ability to conduct activities. The assessment not only relies on observations made by our team and individual feedback during the assessment but also on the physiological response. A comprehensive written report is also provided within five business days which outlines the work capacity of an individual.
Physical Fitness for Duties Assessment
A series of activities are carried out during the assessment including:
- a grip test
- cardiovascular fitness test (step test)
- postural tolerance tests (sitting, standing, squatting and kneeling)
- safe maximum lifting
- capacity
- endurance lift
- evaluation
- safe maximum carrying
- capacity evaluation
- observation of job
- specific task performance
- manual handling analysis
Psychological Fitness for Duties Assessment
The assessment is performed by a registered psychologist, and is conducted in a controlled environment (for example, our office locations). The procedure involves;
- Referral actioned within 24 hours
- Assessment scheduled at RP office location
- Psychometric testing
– Assessment of disorder and nature of psychological symptoms
– Assessment of abstract reasoning ability
– Assessment of executive functioning - Clinical interview with a registered psychologist
– Semi-structured interview
– Mental status examination - Report with capacity opinion provided within 5 days of assessment
What are the benefits of a Fitness for Duties Assessment?
Benefits to the Employees:
- Workers are only asked to perform tasks that will not put themselves at risk and cause injury
- Workers are given full recovery periods
- Improved morale and motivation
- Increased health awareness and knowledge
- A respectful, caring work environment
Benefits to the Business:
- Improved productivity and profit potential
- Minimising risk and creating safer working conditions
- Helping employee retention levels as employees feel valued
- Improved employee relationships and trust within the team
NEWS
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