Return-to-Work and Fitness-for-Duty Programs
Return to Work Programs
The aim of return to work programs is to reduce costs associated with injuries and illnesses, while concurrently promoting the best interests and health of the employee. A well-designed return-to-work program helps employees safely transition back to work after an accident, injury, or illness, whether work-related or not. When an employee is unable to perform their regular job duties, the program can provide modified work, alternative job assignments, or reasonable accommodations that support a successful return to the workplace. Kevin Trangle & Associates’ experienced healthcare team are familiar with ADA and 2nd and 3rd opinions, and will work with the organization’s management team to address any related concerns.
Transitional Work (TW)
Transitional work is an interim step in the physical conditioning and recovery of a worker with restrictions toward the goal of returning to his/her original job. Transitional work represents an opportunity for the employer to reduce the employer and employee financial liability associated with work restrictions and lost time.
Transitional work allows an employee to resume work functions and work lifestyles sooner with minimal time off. It allows the worker with restrictions to return to work more quickly and transition into performing an expanded range of work tasks.
A transitional work program can include (but is not limited to):
- Both occupational and non-occupational injury/illness
- Progressive conditioning and on-site work activities
- Education for safe work practices
- Work re-adjustments
- Job modification
Benefits of Return to Work Programs and Transitional Work Programs:
- Main factor enabling an employer to reduce Workers’ Compensation and disability cost
- Reduces and sometimes eliminates lost-time days
- Worker returns to work at 100% of wage as opposed to reduced wages from compensation for the first 90 days of TW
- The union benefits from employment of a contributing member
- The employer will have adequate staff to perform services
- Lessens retraining and hiring costs
- Enhances productivity
- Everyone benefits from safety recommendations
- Vehicle for ADA Compliance
- Enhances a positive corporate culture
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Fitness for Duty Evaluation
From pre-placement through to injury/illness and return to work, fitness for duty evaluates a patient’s ability to physically or psychologically perform required job tasks. Sometimes, fitness-for-duty exams are required when an employee is ready to return to work after taking time off for a serious illness or injury. For example, an employee with a serious back injury might have to take a fitness-for-duty exam before coming back to work, to make sure the employee is capable of meeting the physical requirements of the job. KTA can be contracted to evaluate medical records, a patient, and documentation for a particular case.
Our services are based on objective data and under contract include:
- Conduct a directed medical records review
- Evaluate the patient in person, if necessary
- Conduct Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE)
- Analyze applicable information including test results, imaging studies, etc.
- Review any relevant literature pertaining to the diagnosis and condition of the individual
- Develop a comprehensive written report outlining the projected course of medical treatment and its associated costs and/or a medical certification of fitness for duty including any limitations or restrictions
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