Has Your Employer or Potential Employer Requested a Pre-Employment Physical Assessment?
A pre-employment physio assessment may be required before you start a new job, when returning to work following an injury, or occasionally throughout your career. These physiotherapy assessments help ensure employees are not put in situations or are expected to complete tasks which may put them at risk for injury. This helps protect both the employee and the employer.
Need a pre-employment physio assessment in Brisbane? Our experienced team at Pivotal Motion Physiotherapy is here to help. Whether you’re starting a new job, returning to work after an injury, or require regular assessments for workplace compliance, we’ll ensure you’re physically prepared and supported. To book your assessment or speak with our team, call us on 07 3352 5116, email admin@pivotalmotion.com.au, or get in touch through our online contact page.
WHAT IS A PRE-EMPLOYMENT PHYSIO ASSESSMENT?
Pre-employment physical assessments, or Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCEs) provide information on an individual’s physical strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular fitness. This information can help determine if individuals are physically capable of performing the tasks required of the job role. It can also help deduce if the individual is high or low risk for injury on the jobsite. Often, a doctor will complete a pre-employment medical assessment in conjunction with the FCE.
WHY DO I NEED A PRE-EMPLOYMENT PHYSICAL ASSESSMENT?
Research shows that employees who have completed a pre-employment physio assessment are more likely to have a lower incidence of injury, absence rate due to injury, and medical costs from injury 1, 2. Rosenblum & Shanker3 found:
- The frequency and severity of musculoskeletal injuries was significantly less in employees who completed pre-employment physiotherapy assessments
- Employees who did not complete a pre-employment assessment were 2.38 times more likely to have an injury to the knees, shoulders, or back than employees who complete a pre-employment physio assessment
- Employees who did not complete a pre-employment assessment cost 4.33 times more due to injury claims
WHAT IS INVOLVED IN PRE-EMPLOYMENT PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSESSMENTS?
This will depend on the job role and company, but a physio assessment – typically lasting about an hour – may include:
- Overall posture and postural fatigue
- Joint range of movement
- Muscle flexibility
- Stability of joints
- Balance
- Strength, endurance, and form with bending, lifting, reaching, squatting, stairs, ladders
- Manual handling such as pushing and pulling
- Cardiovascular fitness test such as a 3-min step-up test
References
- Gassoway, J. & Flory, V. 2000. Prework screen: Is it helpful in reducing injuries and costs? Work: 15(2), 101-106.
- Nassau, D.W. 1999. The Effects of Prework Functional Screening on Lowering an Employer’s Injury Rate, Medical Costs, and Lost Work Days. Spine: 24 (3), 269-274.
- Rosenblum, K.E & Shanker, A. 2006. A study of the effects of isokinetic pre-employment physical capability screening in the reduction of musculoskeletal disorders in a labor intensive work environment. Work: 26(2), 215-28.
DOES PIVOTAL MOTION PHYSIOTHERAPY OFFER PRE-EMPLOYMENT PHYSIO ASSESSMENTS?
Yes! Our skilled physiotherapists at Pivotal Motion Physiotherapy can carry out pre-employment physio assessments for many different companies and job descriptions.
If you’re searching for a qualified physiotherapist Brisbane businesses trust, our team is here to help. TO DISCUSS YOUR PHYSIO ASSESSMENT NEEDS, CONTACT US ON 07 3352 5116