How do you know if you’re ready to go back to work?
Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE): Our specially trained therapists will perform a comprehensive assessment of patient’s current abilities to perform work tasks, such as sitting, standing, walking, grip, carry, push, pull, lift and utilize tools and/or computers. This helps to identify whether he/she is ready to safely return and also provides a detailed summary of the client’s physical abilities as it pertains to the work environment.
What if I’m not ready to go back to work?
After completing the functional capacity evaluation the therapist may recommend a work conditioning or work hardening program.
Work Hardening
The Spaulding Rehabilitation Network’s interdisciplinary approach will help you return to work safely. With the help of Spaulding’s therapists, you participate in an intensive program geared towards getting you safely back to work. This includes:
- An exercise program to regain strength, endurance, range of motion, core stabilization and cardiovascular conditioning.
- A work simulation program which teaches you ways to work safely and comfortably. This is done by practicing the specific job tasks, which can include tool use, lifting, gross and fine motor activities, ladder climbing. Our state-of-the art work simulator provides a large variety of work simulations to mirror the work environment.
The goals of our program include:
- Increase physical tolerances for work
- Regain flexibility, mobility, strength and endurance
- Learn safe work techniques
- Assess tools or job modifications for a safe return to work
- Gain knowledge of your injury and how to manage pain
Spaulding therapists work closely with your primary care physician, having direct communication as needed regarding work precautions and your ability to progress towards specific job tasks.
Our Work Injury Prevention (WIP) Corporate Services Programs are designed to achieve the following goals:
- Assist employers in providing a safe and ergonomically correct work environment.
- Reduce the risks of new or repeat injuries.
- Provide qualitative and quantitative information of injured worker’s abilities and disabilities to employers, physicians, and insurance companies.
- Reduce the costs associated with worker’s compensation claims and occupational injuries.
- Return injured employees to work in less time.
Our services include:
Individual or Company Wide Work Station Analysis
Comprehensive, ergonomic on-site analysis of a worker’s job tasks, work-site, and surrounding environment with the goal of highlighting aspects that could lead to injury and recommendations to minimize risk.
On-Site Screening
Therapy screening processes provided at the work place by licensed therapists to address worker’s needs. Therapists provide recommendations for symptom management and on-going follow-up to prevent lost work time and potential for re-injury.
Employee and Management Level Education
On site educational sessions help employees identify potential risks and instructed them in specific prevention strategies including body mechanics, exercise and muscular relaxation techniques.
Functional Job Descriptions
Description of the required physical demands of a job position per the established guidelines of American’s with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Pre-Employment Functional Assessment
Assessment focused on providing employers information on the functional abilities of new employees in comparison to the physical demands of the job.