Purpose

The Functional Capacity Evaluation is an integral component of any return to work process which provides a comprehensive, objective and performance based measurement to:

• Compare an employee's physical capabilities with work demands to determine ability to return to work following injury or ill health
• Identify the need for workplace modifications, adjustments and further rehabilitation 
• Identify an employee's work capabilities for future job searching
• Answer specific questions regarding an employee's capabilities or limitations 
• Validate stakeholders' opinions and decision making

Delivery

At Robert Gordon University, the employee's functional level and physical capacity is assessed using standardised Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) procedures. This procedure is carried out by trained occupational therapists. An FCE is recommended for those individuals who require a targeted assessment of their physical performance following injury or ill-health and involves:

• A review of the employee's clinical history and job specification
• Pre-assessment screening with the Occupational Therapist
• Customisation of the FCE to evaluate the employee's ability to meet identified job demands
• Targeted functional capacity evaluation
• Analysis of the data retrieved from the FCE
• Production of a comprehensive report detailing capabilities, limitations and consistency in performance

The assessment protocol utilised is determined by the occupational therapist based on referral information from the employer regarding the employee's work demands, the Occupational Health provider and their Health Physician. The individual and referrer will be advised regarding the protocol selected and the time involved.

Timing

Robert Gordon University schedule appointments for the services outlined at a time that is mutually convenient to the individual, the employer and RGU. 

The Functional Capacity Evaluation will take place over one or two days. This is dependent on the nature of the employee's condition and the consequences of activity on ability. The decision will be based on the information provided by the referring health physician regarding medical condition and the purpose of the assessment. The employee and referrer will be advised regarding this.

Day One: The individual attends a session lasting approximately four to six hours at RGU's Human Performance Testing Centre.

Day Two (if required): The individual attends a session at RGU's Human Performance Testing Centre, lasting approximately four hours.

The second day of assessment (if required) may run consecutively with day one or be at a later date depending on the individual.

Reports

All assessment reports will be provided within two working days of completion of the assessment.

Assessment reports will identify performance capabilities and areas of difficulty and how this may impact on function. The overall interpretation of the report will ultimately be the responsibility of the Occupational Health provider and the employer regarding whether the individual can meet their specific job demands.

Location

Assessments will take place in the Human Performance Testing Centre in Robert Gordon University's Faculty of Health and Social Care building at the Garthdee campus.

On arrival, individuals must report to Reception at the main entrance where they will be issued with a visitor's pass and parking permit. A member of staff from the Human Performance Testing Centre will meet the individual and escort them to the assessment facility. Further information regarding the location and facilities will be included with the appointment letter.

Security and Data Protection

Documented medical clearance must be provided by an appropriate Health Physician, such as Occupational Health Physician or General Practitioner prior to an individual completing an assessment. Individuals must also provide written consent to take part in an assessment and for the sharing of the results. All assessment data and documents containing medical information about clients will be securely stored according to the Data Protection Act (1998).

Staff carrying out the assessments are qualified Occupational Therapists who are registered by the statutory regulatory and professional bodies - The Health Professions Council and the College of Occupational Therapists (COT). In order to retain membership of these professional bodies (and therefore their licence to practice) members must adhere to a comprehensive set of rules governing data protection.

Purpose

An individual may experience neuropsychological problems which impact on their work performance following specific illness or injury. These may present as difficulties with:

• Concentration
• Memory
• Problem solving
• Decision making
• Following or interpreting information

Further understanding of how these difficulties may effect their work performance is needed to determine an employee's ability to safely perform work tasks.  This can help to identify the need for any work adjustments or modifications, manage potential risks or to guide further rehabilitation.

For example, completion of a standardised assessment designed to assess perception in individuals who have experienced a brain injury which will help to identify difficulties the individual may have following instructions or recognising objects which may impact on their work performance.

Delivery

At Robert Gordon University, a qualified occupational therapist will conduct an appropriate neuropsychological assessment. Due to the complexity and variety of neuropsychological conditions, the occupational therapist will select the appropriate standardised assessment based on the referral information from the employer, the Occupational Health provider and their Health Physician. The individual and referrer will be advised regarding the assessment selected and the time involved.

Timing

Robert Gordon University will schedule appointments for the services outlined at a time that is mutually convenient to the individual, the employer and RGU. Each referred case will be considered individually and therefore timings of the assessments may vary. Where more than one assessment is required, it may be necessary to schedule these on separate days due to the demands of each assessment.

Reports

All assessment reports will be provided within two working days of completion of the assessment.

Assessment reports will identify performance capabilities and areas of difficulty and how this may impact on function. However the overall interpretation of the report will ultimately be the responsibility of the Occupational Health provider and the employer regarding whether the individual can meet their specific job demands.

Location

All assessments will take place in the Human Performance Testing Centre in Robert Gordon University Faculty of Health and Social Care building at the Garthdee campus.

On arrival, individuals must report to Reception at the main entrance where they will be issued with a visitor's pass and parking permit. A member of staff from the Human Performance Testing Centre will meet the individual and escort them to the assessment facility. Further information regarding the location and facilities will be included with the appointment letter.

Security and Data Protection

Documented medical clearance must be provided by an appropriate Health Physician, such as Occupational Health Physician or General Practitioner prior to an individual completing an assessment. Individuals must also provide written consent to take part in an assessment and for the sharing of the results. Results will only be shared with agreed personnel. All assessment data and documents containing medical information about clients will be securely stored according to Data Protection Act (1998).

Staff carrying out the assessments are qualified Occupational Therapists who are registered by the statutory regulatory and professional bodies, The Health Professions Council and the College of Occupational Therapists (COT). In order to retain membership of these professional bodies (and therefore their licence to practice) members must adhere to a comprehensive set of rules governing data protection.

A work site assessment may be recommended to fully assess the individual's job demands and to support return to work decision making.

A member of Robert Gordon University staff is available for further consultation or advice regarding work site assessments.

We provide training in solution focused interactions, solution focused brief therapy and solution focused coaching for teams and organisations.

For more information visit our Solution Focused Interactions web pages.