Starting a new job or transferring into a new position is always an exciting time. Whether it be with a new organization or your current company, certain employers need their candidates to complete a functional fitness evaluation before work commences. What is a functional fitness evaluation? What kind of occupational testing goes into a functional fitness evaluation? What jobs need this testing? Our team at CannAmm Occupational Testing services is ready to answer your questions! Check out the information below or feel free to connect with one of our team members today.
What is a functional fitness evaluation (FFE)?
This type of evaluation is a series of tests, conducted in a clinical setting. They mirror the physical demands of bona fide occupational requirements. A key part of an organization’s health and safety program, an FFE is a customized analysis that helps identify the functional ability of candidates. Taking anywhere from one to one and a half hours to complete, the results of this evaluation may conclude one the following:
- Fit
- Fit with recommendations
- Unfit
- Medical clearance required
Often a risk mitigation tool, this evaluation ensures that employees can perform the required duties of the position without undue risk of injury in the workplace.
What kind of occupational testing goes into a functional fitness evaluation?
Completed by a Physiotherapist, Occupational Therapist or Kinesiologist, this customized analysis will depend on the nature of the position. An FFE includes a health screen completed with a review of a candidate’s heart rate, blood pressure, and medical history. This ensures that each candidate is safe to take part in the evaluation.
Once an employee is safe to take part in the rest of the test, a functional evaluation including physical, positional, and endurance requirements is completed. Depending on the position this could include movements such as lifting, carrying, reaching, pulling, pushing, and long periods spent moving without rest.
Once the evaluation has concluded, the clinician will determine the outcome. This could be Fit, Fit with recommendations, Unfit, or Medical clearance required. The evaluator reports the outcome of the test to the authorized company representative. The occupational test is now completed.
What jobs need this testing?
Companies incorporate testing often because of health and safety programs or government regulations. Testing can be completed by on-staff healthcare professionals or by independent experts like our team at CannAmm. Hiring independent experts will ensure objectivity and complete transparency in hiring and transferring.
Employers incorporate Functional Fitness Evaluations for positions in the Oil and Gas industry, Transportation industry, Manufacturing industry, Mining industry, and many others.
Interested in learning more about how CannAmm can help set your organization up for success? Connect with our team today.
