Comprehensive Guide to Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE): Enhancing Workplace Integration and Rehabilitation

Part 1 (of 3)

At EnableWorks, we recognise the crucial role Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs) play in workplace integration and rehabilitation. This three-part blog series explores FCEs in depth, starting with their purpose and significance. In Part 2, we discuss who benefits most from an FCE, and we conclude with a case study and referral insights.

What is an FCE and Who Benefits from It?

A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is a standardised assessment used to evaluate an individual’s ability to perform work-related tasks. It assists in:

• Determining readiness to return to work post-injury

• Developing personalised rehabilitation plans

• Assessing pre-employment fitness

• Identifying workplace modifications for employees with disabilities or medical conditions

  
  

Employers, insurers, and healthcare professionals use FCEs to make informed decisions about workplace safety and job suitability. Our evaluations are based on objective research and reputable scientific resources, ensuring accuracy and reliability.We will delve into the finer details of the assessment in our next blog.

What Does an FCE Include?

An FCE typically spans 2-3 hours and can be conducted either in our clinic or at your offices for convenience. The evaluation covers a range of assessments, including:

-Blood pressure monitoring

-Heart rate monitoring

-Cardiovascular testing with 3-minute step testing

-Manual handling at different heights with different weights

-Testing of static positions (sitting, standing, reaching forward, squatting, bending, crouching, crawling, reaching overhead)

-Testing of dynamic positions (walking, climbing stairs or ladders, carrying loads).

Upon completion we provide the referrer with a report detailing the outcomes of the assessment and are always available to discuss this if required. We recognise that all work tasks are different which is why we can customize our FCE’s to include specific work tasks such as ladder climbing, pushing and pulling specific weights, or generic tasks like sitting, standing, and reaching forward. This flexibility ensures that the evaluation is tailored to the unique demands of each individual's job or daily activities.

Why Choose EnableWorks for Your FCE?

At EnableWorks, we are committed to delivering thorough and objective Functional Capacity Evaluations that empower individuals, employers, and healthcare professionals. By using the latest scientific resources and assessment tools, we help create healthier, safer, and more inclusive workplaces. If you need an FCE for yourself or your employees, trust EnableWorks to provide comprehensive, reliable assessments that support a successful return to work or rehabilitation journey.

Who can conduct an FCE?

Being a standardised assessment tool requires the assessors of the FCE evaluation to be trained, and certified. The training process requires trainees to participate in online training which equates 4 days of face-to-face training. In order to remain registered assessors are required to be assessing clients on a regular basis, entering collected data into a secure data base which strengthens the validity of the tool (assessment) and provides evidence base results. Workhab International is one of many FCE programs and is the most commonly used in Aotearoa / New Zealand.

Only qualified, practicing health professionals such as Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists who are trained in the certified programs can conducted FCE assessments.

Get in Touch

Interested in scheduling an FCE? Contact our expert, Rhondda, a highly experienced physiotherapist with expertise in manual therapy, pain management, vocational rehabilitation, and canine rehabilitation. Rhondda has a current FCE license and joined the EnableWorks team in June 2023.

Rhondda can be reached on 022 4319 557 or Rhondda@enableworks.co.nz

In Part 2 of this blog series, https://www.enableworks.co.nz/post/when-would-you-conduct-an-fce, we will explore the variety of FCE’s that can be conducted and the difference between conducting an FCE as an injury prevention measure / pre-employment measure verses a post injury assessment tool.