Employment Exams
Pre-Employment Physical Capacity Evaluation
DEFINITION
Physical Capacity Testing provides an assessment of a prospective workers ability to perform the essential functions of a given job. Understanding safe body mechanics techniques can also be assessed and brief instruction can be provided during testing. Test results can be compared with documented physical demands of the job. When combined with a physician’s history and physical examination, this test data provides one more valuable piece of information from which to judge physical qualifications to perform a given job.
The concept of reasonable accommodation should be kept in mind for individuals with disabilities. Although lack of strength is generally not considered a disability, an applicant who performs marginally on the strength test may be covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act if the employer regards the individual as one who would create increased workers’ compensation liability. In these cases, reasonable accommodation such as a trial of work or a period of strengthening followed by a retest in two to three weeks may be the employer’s best action.
Physical Capacity Evaluations can be performed at the following 4 levels based on the essential physical demands of a given job.
Please note the following patient requirements necessary to perform the exams listed below:
- No open toed shoes
- No high heels
- Please wear comfortable clothing
- No dresses, skirts
LEVELS
PC-II – Standard physical capacity test that evaluates a prospective employee’s range of motion, flexibility, grip strength and maximal capacity dynamic lifting strength from floor to knuckle height and waist to shoulder height. Dynamic strength testing is used to assess capacity for materials handling activity in ranges from the floor to shoulder level.
PC-III – Assesses the same variables as the PCII, but also includes push/pull and carry. To prevent discrimination and ensure optimal safety and job matching, we recommend that this test be performed based on the values from an objective ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant job description. If this is not available, we would be happy to perform an onsite ADA compliant job analysis to provide the most accurate pre-employment screen.
PC-IV(a) Option – This optional test is performed as needed and at the discretion of the examiner, based on the worker’s history of previous injury to a given body part that still creates a functional limitation for the worker. The test assess the acuity of a given condition as well as a baseline ROM measurement that will be recorded as part of the worker’s medical record. This provides a baseline of condition status at initial employment, and, should the condition be re-aggravated on the job, the data provided would be beneficial in protecting the employer from taking on full responsibility for a pre-existing injury.
The orthopedic screens with examples of common rule-outs include:
- Wrist screen – eg. Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Elbow screen – eg. Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
- Shoulder screen – Rotator cuff tendonitis
- Spinal screen – eg. Cervical, thoracic, & lumbar strains/sprains
- Hip screen – eg. Bursitis
- Knee screen – eg. Knee instability/strain
- Ankle screen – eg. Ankle sprain
**These screens include but are not limited to objective ROM measurements, neurological testing (reflexes, sensation, strength) and other specific orthopedic special tests.
PC-IV(b): Assesses the same variables as the PCIII, with the addition of any or all of the following essential functions tested.
- Climbing (ladder)
- Overhead reaching
- Crouching
- Kneeling
- Squatting
- Crawling
- Unilateral weight carry
- Balance Beam
- Stacking weighted containers
- Moving weighted containers with hand truck
PC-V: Includes components from both PCIV (a) and (b) to provide a baseline for pre-existing injuries as well as more inclusive testing of essential functions of more physically demanding jobs.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR PRE-EMPLOYMENT EXAMINATION AND PHYSICAL CAPACITY TEST
Please expect to be at the clinic for 1.5 to 2 hours. Please arrive 30 minutes early to complete paperwork (unless previously completed by downloading the forms from our website – see below). Your company requires drug testing. Please do not drink more than 12 ounces (1 1/2 cups) of liquids prior to your appointment and bring picture identification with you to your appointment.
During your examination, the following tests will be performed by the Medical Assistant:
- Measure your height and weight
- Check your vision (vision test will include near, far, color and depth perception)
- Take a blood pressure reading & check your pulse before and after exercise
- Collect a urine specimen to check for sugar, blood and protein
- Collect a urine specimen to check for substance abuse
The physician will:
- Review the history form you have completed
- Review your job description
- Examine your eyes, ears, nose and throat
- Examine your abdomen
- Examine your extremities
- Examine your thyroid
- Examine your spine
- Check your flexibility and range of motion
- Listen to your chest and heart
- Neurological examination to include Romberg test.
- Males will be given a hernia check
After your visit with the physician:
You will be directed to the physical therapy department for your Physical Capacity Test and have your strength, range of motion and flexibility measured.
Upon completion of your examination and the review of your Physical Capacity Test results, your company will be notified if, in the opinion of the examining physician, you are or are not medically certified for the position you are applying for.
You can download our forms prior to your visit from the list below. Please print and fill them out completely to expedite your visit with Cascade Occupational Medicine.
REQUIRED FORMS:
Consent for Physical Capacity & Exercise Test
All forms are presented in PDF format. Adobe Reader or similar software is required to be installed on your computer in order to properly display and print these forms. If you do not have Adobe Reader installed on your computer, please click the icon at the bottom of the page.
