A 3-day employability assessment to determine functional limitations and abilities such as:

  • Community Interaction Skills
  • Work Safety Skills
  • Physical Abilities
  • Cognitive Interaction
  • Behavioural Skills
  • Productivity

CLIENT PROFILE

These individuals vary in age, but are not younger than 18 years of age.  The length of time post-injury could vary from 6 months to 10 years+; however, the typical individual is 1 to 2 years post-injury with a diagnosis of mild to moderate brain injury.

OTHER DISCIPLINES

The individual may have been involved in assessments by a number of disciplines, such as a neuropsychologist, vocational counsellor, physician, claims adjuster and clinical service coordinator.  The Occupational Therapist may require access to the information obtained from the other professionals.  Team meetings with the appropriate individuals after the assessment to discuss the results of the assessment findings may be required, which quite often can be facilitated via telephone conference.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (OT) ROLE

It is the role of the OT to address ability to return-to-work following evaluation of the individual’s physical, cognitive, perceptual and psychosocial status.  The OT will provide information on ability to return to a specific job title or ability to return-to-work, in general terms.  The OT can provide an outline of the type of job that the individual would be successful in performing and indicate any restrictions in their ability related to fulfilling all of the job expectations.  The OT also provides recommendations to assist the individual to meet their return-to-work potential.

ASSESSMENT COMPONENT

In addition to assessing physical abilities related to work demands, the assessment examines cognitive, perceptual and interpersonal skills, as these are crucial in successful return to work.  These skills are assessed through standardized tests, as well as work simulation activities, administered by a qualified OT to determine employability.  The assessment is 3 days in length and simulates a typical workday.

ASSESSMENT FORMAT

The following tests and work simulation activities are often used during the 3-day assessment of the individual with acquired brain injury:

  1. Structure Review of Activities of Daily Living
  2. Fitness Testing: Canadian Physical Activity, Fitness & Lifestyle Appraisal; National Back Fitness Test
  3. Perceived Capacity Testing: to establish individual’s perception of their skills and abilities.  (May include Pain Scale, West Tool Sort or Loma Linda Activity Sort, Spinal Function Sort, Dallas Activity Questionnaire, etc.)
  4. Maximum Voluntary Effort Testing
  5. Cognitive Assessment of Minnesota: screening of the fund of acquired information/general knowledge (attention, orientation, memory, language, sequencing), manipulation of old knowledge, calculation, problem solving, social awareness and judgment, abstract thinking
  6. Community Interaction Test Battery: community-based tasks to examine high level telephone skills, map usage, route finding, banking and shopping
  7. Lifting Capacity Evaluation: includes carrying, pushing/pulling ability
  8. Balance Activities
  9. Valpar 8: Simulated Assembly Test
  10. Valpar 9: Whole Body Range of Motion Test
  11. Dynamic Tool Use Work Sample
  12. Repetitive Movement Tests
  13. Work Cube: work simulation activities which include sequential and purposeful carrying, lifting, climbing, level operation, low-level assembly, overhead assembly, functional driving (i.e. ability to tolerate vibration, operate controls).  Can be used to further determine small tool use, problem-solving ability, dynamic physical capacities, perceptual, and cognitive abilities.
  14. Simulated Work Battery: dependent on previous job skills.  The OT identifies critical job components and simulates these on site.  (May include projects such as woodworking, small engine repair, etc., or when feasible, those tasks related to the individual’s workplace).

REPORT FORMAT

The report addresses strengths and limitations that could affect return to the individual’s pre-injury work.  The following areas are included:

  1. Referral Question: outlines the reason for assessment and will include job description if appropriate
  2. Physical impairments, including paralysis, ataxia, contractures, impairment of vision and hearing, and speech deficits identified as being present or absent
  3. Cognitive function: orientation, judgement, memory, attention/concentration, problem solving, sequencing, executive functions (planning, initiation, correcting), communication, etc.
  4. Perceptual: visual perception, body image, neglect, etc.
  5. Feasibility issues, which include:
    a. Productivity: ability to perform work tasks to the quantity and quality expected by prospective employer
    b. Safety: ability to adhere to safety rules, consistent use of body mechanics and use of protective behaviour towards self and co-workers

Our company’s service delivery includes:

Assessment Services .::. Occupational Rehabilitation .::. Ergonomic Rehabilitation .::. Community Rehabilitation