Work Rehabilitation Center in Rochester, Minnesota

The Mayo Clinic Work Rehabilitation Center offers a range of work-related assessments.

Functional capacity evaluation (FCE)

The FCE is a comprehensive functional test administered by trained specialists. It is used to generate recommendations for returning to work.

• This objective test will assess maximum safe functional abilities, and results will provide recommendations for final work restrictions.
• The FCE is used to assist in workers' compensation cases and motor vehicle accidents by providing fit for duty testing, transitional duty recommendations and return to work placement guidance.

Functional job analysis

This evaluation is completed at the workplace. The program outcomes may include:

• Evaluate critical physical demands for materials handling, positional activities, walking and climbing activities, hand-specific tasks, and workflow.
• Ergonomic recommendations.
• Define critical job demands and develop job descriptions.
• Develop a management system for matching injured workers to jobs.
• Develop preemployment screening.

This program is restricted by the payer. A company can agree to self-pay for a job analysis. It is a covered service under workers' compensation and motor vehicle insurance, but it is not covered by commercial insurance.

Post-offer employment test (POET)

A POET is a physical test that determines whether a worker can safely perform the essential functions of the job.

• For a new worker, this test occurs after the applicant has been offered employment but has yet to start the job.
• The test also is used to assess the readiness of a current worker to return to the prior job after an extended absence due to injury or illness.
• The test matches a worker's physical abilities to the work that must be performed.
• During the test, the applicant will perform functional activities that replicate the job's requirements. Examples include lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling, walking and climbing.
• The administration of the exam and the reports of the results are intended to comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The test is developed after a functional job analysis has been performed. It is then validated by current employees.

Body mechanics assessment in the clinic

Body mechanics is an assessment of both posture and the work environment. This assessment is completed in the clinic.

• A therapist will assess how a person sits, lifts and carries, bends, and so on, to be able to provide recommendations on ideal work positions, equipment changes and possibly workflow.
• Typically, this is a one-time assessment that is two hours in length.
• This assessment is ideal for employees who do not have workers' compensation as their insurance plan.

Please contact the Work Rehabilitation Center with any questions at 507-284-4933, Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central time, or via email.