A functional capacity evaluation (FCE) is a comprehensive assessment designed to document a worker’s medical and functional abilities after an injury. It helps determine readiness to return to work and assesses whether your employee may require permanent workplace accommodations.
At Minnesota Occupational Health, we use the ErgoScience™ Physical Work Performance Evaluation. This highly standardized, peer-reviewed testing method provides employers and insurance providers with reliable data necessary to support key decisions, such as settling workers’ compensation claims, determining disability benefits and facilitating a safe and successful return to work.
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What Happens During a Functional Capacity Assessment?
The evaluation process is rigorous and focuses on real-world physical requirements. We offer these tests in a one- or two-day format.
During the assessment, a specialized physical therapist or occupational therapist measures several key areas:
- Aerobic capacity and general conditioning: This assessment measures stamina—usually through stair climbing and walking—and we determine whether the employee has sufficient metabolic energy to perform their job safely.
- Behavioral and effort validity testing: Reliability tools, such as the Spinal Functional Sort test, compare the employee’s perceived level of capability with actual physical performance.
- Clinical musculoskeletal assessment: This baseline check of the employee’s physical health includes precise measurements of muscle strength, joint range of motion and physical sensation.
- Industry-specific job simulation: Our use of “virtual workplaces” replicates real job sites. Tasks for law enforcement, health care, office work, and housekeeping are simulated to observe performance in a controlled setting.
- Material handling metrics: This includes measuring the exact force an employee can safely exert when lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling. EPIC lift stations assess safe lifting at different heights, while industrial sleds test pushing and pulling strength.
- Non-material handling analysis: This assessment evaluates physical movements essential for the job, such as bending, kneeling, squatting, crawling and climbing ladders without losing balance or causing injury.
- Physical demand testing: This testing involves directly observing employees during work-related tasks. Proven testing methods identify physical limitations that might prevent a safe return to work.
At the conclusion of the test, we incorporate job-simulated activities tailored to the employee’s specific role. This helps create a clear match between their current physical abilities and U.S. Department of Labor work classifications (sedentary, light, medium or heavy). Using these recognized standards provides a helpful, objective baseline for everyone involved. It ensures that return-to-work plans are fair and safe, following Americans with Disabilities Act and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidelines to support a successful transition back to the job site while reducing the risk of re-injury.
Strategic Timing for Referral
To achieve the most accurate results, a functional capacity evaluation should be scheduled once your employee has completed all other rehabilitation options, such as physical therapy or a work conditioning program.
Each completed evaluation includes a detailed summary of the employee’s strengths and limitations regarding specific work tasks. The report also contains recommendations for safety, rehabilitation and case resolution. A physical capacities form may also accompany the finished report, providing information on the employee’s general material- and non-material handling abilities.
Functional Capacity Evaluations at Minnesota Occupational Health
MOH provides a streamlined, clinically driven approach to workforce safety and compliance for businesses in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area. With five convenient locations—Coon Rapids, Eagan, Shakopee, St. Paul/Midway and Woodbury—we make it easy for employers to access high-quality functional capacity evaluations that keep their employees safe, healthy and productive.
Let Minnesota Occupational Health connect you with the occupational health services you need. Call (651) 968-5300 or contact us today to learn more about our services.
Work Performance Team
Lisa Peirson OTR/L
Midway/Blaine"Work Performance Testing, Work Conditioning, Functional Capacity Evaluations, Job Task/Site Analysis"
Morgan Sanken MA, OTR/L
Eagan"Work Performance Testing, Work Conditioning, Functional Capacity Evaluations, Job Task/Site Analysis"