FUNCTIONAL JOB ANALYSIS AND DESCRIPTIONS

An accurate job analysis and a critical job demand description which matches the work to the work is the cornerstone in providing the employer the ultimate control regarding productivity, worker safety and risk management.

Work-related musculo-skeletal disorders are the leading cause of lost work day injuries and Workers Compensation costs (34%). Today we exist in a very litigant society, therefore one must seriously consider the legal-ethical basis for utilizing functional job descriptions. Appropriate job descriptions and analysis can be helpful in the following ways:

• Establishing accurate critical job demands for Functional or Work Capacity Evaluations
• Compliance with “non-discrimination laws”
• Development of “job-related” pre-work screening
• Determining or developing modified work or “reasonable accommodations” for A.D.A. compliance
• Descriptions of the job for new and transferring employees and matching the worker to the work
• Development of hiring parameters and qualifications
• Determining return to work programs and readiness
• Ergonomic Modification and Work Injury Prevention
• To reduce O.S.H.A. reportables, create A.D.A. compliance, create non-discriminatory pre-work screens, and determine safe return to work, professional help is available

Since 1977, Park Physical Therapy Associates has provided educational, rehabilitative and consulting services to numerous companies throughout Central New Jersey.

Since 1987, Mr. Alfred F. De Palma, M.A.P.T., CWCE, has headed the Occupational Program performing approximately 1200 Work/Functional Capacity Evaluations.
He has been certified as an Advanced Work Capacity Evaluator by the nationally respected Roy Matheson and Associates. Prerequisites for certification required the satisfactory completion of:

• 250 hours experience prior to submission of a Functional Capacity Evaluation for critique
• 250 hours post-acceptance experience
• Professional residency course for Industrial Rehabilitation Professionals
• Submission of three letters of recommendation from professionals familiar with his work

This Certification complements Mr. De Palma’s past accomplishments of authoring several articles on Symptom Magnification Syndrome; Functional Capacity Evaluations and Work Conditioning/Work Hardening Programs.

BENEFITS OF THE FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY EVALUATION (FCE)

• Determine more accurately and scientifically if the patient is able to return to work to either his/her original job description, modified job description, or light duty.
• Determine actual physical capabilities and maximum safe limitations in lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, etc. rather than guess work.
• Evaluate the worker’s critical work demands and tolerances.
• Obtain valuable information regarding symptom management and reliability of the data collected (whether or not organic pathology has previously been diagnosed).
• For long-term chronic patients - determine the physical capabilities and conditioning needs so that the patient may become considered feasible for employment.
• Pre-surgical evaluation in assessing the likelihood of a positive surgical outcome.
• Determine when and how the patient will reach maximum medical benefit from Physical Therapy and work conditioning/hardening in order to close the case.

For further information, contact
Alfred F. De Palma. M.A.P.T., CWCE.,
President
Park Physical Therapy Associates Inc., Highland Park
(732) 828-0700