[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/07\/functional-capacity-evaluation\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/07\/functional-capacity-evaluation\/","headline":"Functional Capacity Evaluations: Ensuring a Safe Return to Work","name":"Functional Capacity Evaluations: Ensuring a Safe Return to Work","description":"Functional Capacity Evaluations, often called FCEs, determine a person\u2019s ability to perform work activities for their job. ","datePublished":"2016-07-06","dateModified":"2022-12-06","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","name":"UPMC Rehabilitation Institute","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/rehab","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-rehabilitation-institute\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Functional-Evaluation.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/Functional-Evaluation.jpg","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/07\/functional-capacity-evaluation\/","about":["Rehabilitation"],"wordCount":319,"keywords":["Functional Capacity Evaluation","Health Assessments","occupational therapy","rehab"],"articleBody":"Functional Capacity Evaluations, often called FCEs, determine a person\u2019s ability to perform work activities for their job.\u201cAn FCE can provide an accurate measure of a person\u2019s ability to perform critical work tasks,” says Mike Balandiat, OTR\/L, CHT, MMT, an occupational therapist at UPMC Rehabilitation Institute. \u00a0This can help the referral source make determinations related to a person\u2019s ability to return to work or their employability.\u201cA well-designed FCE consists of a variety of tests that offer results in performance-based measures.”Individuals who may benefit from an FCE include those who are:Applying for Social Security disability benefits.Seeking vocational rehabilitation services.Trying to determine what their work capabilities are following a catastrophic accident.Trying to return to work or other alternative employment following injury or illness.The components of an FCE vary based on the reasoning for the assessment but typically consist of:A patient interview.A medical record review.A muscular and skeletal screening.Functional testing.Pain monitoring.An FCE is performed on a one-on-one basis and can last up to four hours. A written report is provided following the FCE, which provides determinations of the person\u2019s capacities and abilities, based on their performance.Generally, the physician treating the patient refers for an FCE. Physician assistants and nurse practitioners can also refer for FCEs. Additionally, FCEs may be requested by the following:Attorneys.Case managers.Human Resources\/employers.Insurance representatives.Risk managers.\u201cFunctional Capacity Evaluations are a great tool to help workers make sure they are fully capable of coming back to work,\u201d Balandiat says. “Following the evaluation,\u00a0employees and their employers can then ensure the tasks at hand can be accomplished in a safe and healthy manner, leading to a better work experience for all.\u201dFor more information about occupational therapy services, visit UPMC Rehabilitation Institute.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on July 6, 2016, and was last reviewed on December 6, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2016","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"07","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/\/07\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Functional Capacity Evaluations: Ensuring a Safe Return to Work","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2016\/07\/functional-capacity-evaluation\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]