What Types of Occupational Tests Does webFCE’s Software Include?

Our software includes a number of occupational tests that can be used in various stages of pre, post, and current employment.

Job Demand Analysis (Physical Demand Analysis)

A job demand analysis (JDA), also referred to as a physical demand analysis (PDA), is a systematic approach used to quantify and evaluate the physical demand components of all the essential and non-essential tasks pertaining to a particular job/occupation. The JDA helps establish what a job is, in its entirety, in a manner that complies with any governing laws. A JDA is considered to be the cornerstone of the analytical process used to determine the compatibility between a worker and a specific job. A physical or job demand analysis is necessary for any type of physical abilities/employment offer test.

Our job demand analysis (JDA) software is the most comprehensive on the market. It automatically incorporates the Dictionary of Occupational Titles & O*Net occupations, along with their respective crosswalks into the software for ease of use and faster report generation. Our software helps clinicians take the guesswork out of the analytical process used to determine compatibility between a worker and a specific job.

Why Is a Job Demand Analysis (JDA) Important for Employers?

The purpose of a job demand analysis is to:

  • Communicate the job requirements to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) and health care providers
  • Provide data for use in the job matching and accommodation process
  • Clarify benefits entitlement (i.e. determining work-related injury, long-term disability decisions, etc.)
  • Identify suitable alternate work or modified work programs
  • Identify jobs, work processes, and equipment that require further ergonomic analysis and intervention
  • Identify and prioritize safety concerns, engineering, and administrative improvements

Physical Abilities Testing (PAT), or sometimes called Pre/Post Employment Testing (POET)

Physical abilities testing (PAT), sometimes called pre/post-offer employment testing (POET), is a group of tests used by employers to test applicants against the physical components of a specific job. These tests are used by employers to test applicants or employees against the physical components of the job. The Pre and post offer tests are very similar to each other and they are usually performed on the employer level when no work injury claim has been established.

webFCE’s employment software is accurate and ensures that employers meet the requirements outlined by the Americans
with Disabilities Act’s (ADA’s) for post-offer testing and thereby protecting you from potential litigation should someone fail the test.

Pre-Offer Employment Testing Software

Pre-employment testing is used to gather non-medical information and compare it to a particular skill set before a job offer is made. This test is a functional examination that looks at the specific set of physical skills of a person a company wants to hire.  Employment tests vary but can consist of measurements of body fat, height, weight, range of motion, strength, and agility.

Post-Offer Employment Testing Software

This test is a functional examination that looks at the specific set of physical skills related to a person that is already hired. Post-employment testing is ordered to determine whether or not a potential employee can perform the essential functions of a job. In this case, the employer has usually made a conditional job offer to the applicant.

Three Methods for Assessing Physical Ability at the Workplace

  1. Job Simulation Method (Job Demand Analysis)
  2. Fitness Based Method (Fit for Duty Testing)
  3. Combined Job Simulation & Fitness Method
    • Job Simulation Method (Job Demand Analysis)
      This model ensures each candidate meets the physical requirements for a specific position. The process usually starts with an on-site job analysis, which identifies the specific demands and tasks required by the job. This information is then used to create an employment test that is tailored to the demands that workers will face as they perform their job. By assessing candidates’ ability to perform physical tasks that closely mirror the tasks of the actual job; the job simulation is able to identify candidates who meet the physical requirements for a given position.
    • Fitness Based Method (Fit for Duty Testing)
      This model ensures each candidate meets the physical requirements for a given position. A fitness-based PAT
      operates on the premise that a physically-fit candidate is more likely to competently perform physical job tasks.
      Fitness-based physical ability testing typically has multiple hurdles where individuals must successfully complete
      each exercise/activity in a given time frame. Some fitness-based models are norm based on gender and age, and others are based on job requirements.
    • Combined Simulation & Fitness Method
      This model is a hybrid of both the Fit-For-Duty and the Job Simulation Method and offers the best of both worlds by allowing the evaluator to create an assessment tool that covers both physical fitness attributes and material
      handling capabilities. This combined (CSFM) approach enables the evaluator to be very creative and have a lot more freedom in developing and implementing a specific testing protocol to help determine an individual’s capacity to perform the required duties of a given occupation.

webFCE’s Physical Abilities Testing (PAT) is Proven to be Valid and Reliable

Our employment testing software uses the same protocols found in the DOT-RFC Battery (Dictionary of Occupational Titles-Residual Functional Capacity) that is reported and published in a peer-reviewed forum (i.e., peer-reviewed journal). It is proven to provide:

  • Excellent Face Validity2,3
  • Excellent Construct Validity2,3
  • Moderate to Good Content Validity2,3
  • Good Reliability and Intra-rater reliability 1,4
  • Some Real-World Predictive Validity2

What’s Included in a Physical Abilities Test (PAT) and Pre/Post-Employment Test (POET) Report?

Physical abilities testing (PAT) or pre/post-offer employment testing (POET) reports includes the following:

  • Conducting on-site analysis of the physical demands analysis of the specific job activities
  • Creating a testing protocol specific to the work environment and job
  • Performing a safety pre-screen
  • Performing standardized objective tests and measurements
  • Performing occupational/job-specific tests
  • Providing a detailed report with pass/fail recommendations


References:
1. Fishbain AA, et al. Measuring residual functional capacity in chronic low back pain patients based on the Dictionary of Occupational Titles, Spine 1994; 19(8):872-880.
2. Fishbain DA. Cutler RB, Rosomoff H, Khalil T, Abdel-Moty E, Steele-Rosomoff R. Validity of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles-Residual Functional Capacity Battery. Clinical Journal of Pain. 1999; 15(2):102-110.
3. Ev Innes and Leon Straker. Validity of Work-Related Assessments. Work. 1999;13(2):125-152.
4. Ev Innes and Leon Straker. Reliability of Work-Related Assessments. Work. 1999;13(2):107-124.