Functional Capacity Evaluations - A Basic Introduction

As the owner, president, and CEO of Macon Occupational Medicine, Leonard Bevill has overseen the performance of numerous functional capacity evaluations (FCEs). Leonard Bevill is a Certified Functional Capacity Evaluator, a certification he received through Isernhagen Work Systems.

FCEs serve as a way to measure and report a person's ability to perform employment-related tasks. They often determine whether a person can return to work or secure an alternate job following an injury or illness, but they may also serve as a baseline for someone who may need accommodations to enter the work force. In some cases, FCEs provide the information necessary to design a rehabilitation program or qualify a person for disability benefits.

The makeup of an FCE will depend on its purpose and on the client's status. Most begin with a review of the client's medical records, as well as a musculoskeletal screening and interview with the client. The evaluator will then test the client's ability to perform specific physical tasks, which can range from lifting and carrying to object manipulation, depending on the client's field of work.

The evaluator may also assess the client's endurance, coordination, and ability to take certain physical positions such a sitting, standing, kneeling, or reaching. Regardless of the activity, the evaluator measures the client's pain levels. 

After the evaluation, the evaluator will prepare a report that explains the client's ability to meet the physical and mental demands of a particular job. The report can also match the client to suitable positions and list any accommodations or treatments that could help the client fulfill his or her responsibilities.