Functional Capacity Evaluation of a Caretaker – Case Study
This Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) of a Caretaker Case Study shows the positive outcome when Occupational Health Services are utilised.
A Functional Capacity Evaluation (held in a clinic, meeting room, workplace or at the individual’s home address) is an assessment of an individual’s physical abilities to perform a physical work role.
It is often necessary to conduct a physical Job Task Analysis at the work site location beforehand, so that the FCE assessor has accurate information about the tasks and what physical postures are needed to do the job. The assessor can then assess the individual’s physical abilities, establish if the individual can do the job tasks (is there is a job match?), and decide if any reasonable adjustments or a graduated return to work plan is required.
The Need:
A young man with Cerebral Palsy was referred to assess whether he can perform his work role of Caretaker.
Currently he is performing alternative duties in a more sedentary role. He wants to return to return to the work role, but there are health and safety concerns about his ability to fulfil the role, from a mobility perspective.
Questions were posed by the employer:
- Can he perform this job?
- Can he work as a lone worker?
- Can he go up and down stairs?
- Can he move equipment?
- If he cannot do the job – what work can he do?
The Objective:
To assess the work tasks and answer the employers questions detailed above.
The Solution:
The assessor (an Occupational Therapist) attended the workplace to performed a Functional Capacity Evaluation. The assessment duration was 4 hours.
The medical condition and management of Cerebral Palsy was discussed. The work tasks were discussed and observation of the work tasks and work postures were performed.
A full written report was compiled after the assessment, summarising all of the work postures that the job entailed (Physical Job Role Demands) with details of the worker’s performance of the tasks and postures required.
The report detailed the individual worker’s perspective regarding their physical ability to perform the role. The assessors assessment and obervation of the their ability to performing the various work tasks and postures and whether there was a job match.
The employers concerns and viewpoint were also discussed within the report.
The assessor was then able to answer the questions which had been posed and make recommendations within the written report.
The Result:
The assessment helped to resolve the issues which had been raised. Reasonable adjustments (under the Equality Act 2010) to the role performance were also recommended.
The client could perform the role if certain systems were in place. This Functional Capacity Evaluation helped to resolve the issues for the worker and the employer and provided the route for them to move forwards.
