Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE)
Regional Experts in Fit-for-Duty Testing
JAG Physical Therapy is here to complete the evaluation you need. Our certified therapists have performed FCEs, fit-for-duty assessments, physical capacity assessments, and work capacity assessments for professionals throughout New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, for a wide variety of job positions and industries.
We use a nationally-recognized program administered by PTs, DPTs, and OTs on our staff who are experienced in occupational medicine. A proper FCE requires specialized knowledge related to the complex and dynamic interactions between the candidate, the work environment, and the work itself. Our staff use their objective findings to make an accurate assessment of every job candidate they examine.
To schedule an FCE, or to learn more about getting FCEs for your workforce, find a JAG PT location near you or contact us today.
What is a Functional Capacity Evaluation?
A functional capacity evaluation (FCE) is an assessment that measures an individual’s ability to perform a particular job.
Healthcare professionals use functional capacity evaluations to assess your ability to start a new job or return to work following a significant event, like a debilitating injury or illness. To make this assessment, the FCE will measure your overall ability to complete specific daily living and work-related tasks.
The candidate may benefit from completing a functional capacity evaluation if any of the following applies to the candidate:
- The candidate has applied for a job that requires a pre-employment FCE.
- The candidate was injured while working and plans to return to work.
- The candidate was injured in an accident unrelated to work, and the injury affects their ability to do the job.
- The candidate is seeking vocational rehabilitation services.
- The candidate is disabled and is applying to receive Social Security Disability benefits.
Other Assessments We Offer
In addition to our FCE services, JAG PT also provides fit-for-duty evaluations and physical capacity assessments (PCA)/work capacity assessments (WCA).
Fit-for-duty evaluations are meant to assess the health of an employee who is out of work for a fixed amount of time due to a non-work-related illness or injury.
PCAs/WCAs are a battery of standardized assessments testing performance-based measures. These tests have demonstrated predictive validity about the assessed employee’s ability to return to work or perform job tasks.
While components of testing will vary depending on the purpose of the assessment, generally they can include any of the following:
- Interviews with the candidate
- Medical and diagnostic review
- Musculoskeletal screening
- Graded material handling
- Testing for physical skills such as lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, crouching, crawling, object manipulation, fine motor skills, and grasping
Evaluations like these are performed on a one-on-one basis and typically run from 2 to 4 hours.
Referrals for FCEs, Fit-for-Duty Assessments, PCAs, and WCAS
Generally, a job candidate or employee will be referred for one of these tests by a general medical professional – a doctor, a physician’s assistant, or a nurse practitioner (APN). However, any of the following may also be a referral source:
- Insurance representatives
- Nurse case managers
- Employers
- Human resources personnel
- Risk managers
Get FCE Testing in NJ, NY & PA, with JAG PT
JAG PT is your one-stop shop for all job candidates and workers to return to work safely and efficiently. It’s important that a well-trained and experienced professional performs your FCE, and at JAG PT, our team has helped employers and employees across a wide variety of professions. We administer all testing with the utmost care for everyone’s safety and well-being, and we’re here to help you or your employees get back to work and get back the life you love.
If you need a Functional Capacity Evaluation in NJ, NY, or PA, fill out the form above. To find out more about JAG Physical Therapy and other services we offer, visit one of our 100 locations near you or contact us today.