Services Provided

A Cognitive Functional Capacity Evaluation (Cog FCE) is an objective assessment of work –related executive function (i.e.: memory, attention, ability to plan and organize ,emotional control, etc.) that uses standardized assessment and observation of functional/work simulation activities. A Cog FCE can be used to:

• Determine an individual’s overall work capacity
• Determine feasibility for employment
• Determine an individual’s strengths and limitations with regards to physical, cognitive, behavioral and psychosocial functioning
• Provide recommendations on workplace modifications or accommodations in order to minimize impairment and impact of injury/illness on an individual’s work capacity
• Facilitate return to work

A Cog FCE provides a greater understanding of the cognitive, physical, and/or behavioral challenges experienced by individuals who are living with an acquired brain injury or mental health condition(s).

At VocAssess, we offer 1 and 2- day Cog FCE. A Cog FCE includes:

• 1 or 2 days of clinical assessment with a certified Cog FCE provider
• Objective and standardized testing procedures to ensure reliability, validity, and client safety
• Functional and work simulation testing in person, virtually or at the job site (if possible).
• Testing of work activity tolerance over consecutive days (2-day Cog FCE only).
• A comprehensive report detailing the clients cognitive, physical, and /or behavioral strengths and limitations, overall work capacity, and answers to specific referral questions.

Case Management (also referred to as Rehabilitation Consulting) is typically requested for clients with complex files such as those involving mental health issues and chronic pain where recovery does not follow typical time lines.  A rehabilitation case manager can become involved at any point in time.  Ideally a referral is made during the acute stage. Often individuals will be seen while still in hospital or in patient rehabilitation.

The role of the Rehabilitation Case Manager is to access and coordinate all necessary services for individuals in order to facilitate optimal recovery in their rehabilitation. The Rehabilitation Case Manager works closely with individuals and their families in order to communicate the needs and progress of the individual among medical and rehabilitation professionals. The Case Manager performs the following:

• Meets with the individual client, family members and health care providers and gathers information through available medical reports to assess their needs and the most appropriate therapy and services;
• Determine most suitable therapists based upon injury type and expertise, and facilitate referrals including providing all necessary information to the clinicians;
• Maintain communication with treating physicians, rehabilitation professionals, insurers and lawyer to ensure they are up to date regarding individual’s injuries and prognosis;
• Facilitate regular communication among therapy team members and ensure establishment of mutual rehabilitation goals; and
• Monitor progression of rehabilitation and address issues as they arise to ensure the most timely and optimal recovery possible.

Skilled case management ensures rehabilitation is goal-directed, cost-effective, individualized and client-centered job demands analysis return to work transferable skills analysis

Helping individuals get back to work.

We have the ability to understand both the worker’s abilities and impairments and the physical, cognitive and psychosocial demands of a work position in order to ensure a successful return to work. Early return to work following injury or onset of disability promotes positive functional outcomes to the individual, while reducing disability costs for the employer.

We facilitate the safe return to work of an individual following an injury/ illness through the following:

• Analysis of documentation such as functional capacity evaluations, vocational evaluation and job analysis.
• Meeting with employee and employer to discuss needs, expectations and plan, including work duties, schedules and possible modifications.
• Planning a gradual return to work program, specific to the needs of the employee and as agreed upon by the employer, and taking into consideration any recommendations from the individual’s medical and rehabilitation team.
• Regular monitoring of the individual’s progress and /or potential barriers or difficulties through scheduled telephone communications or visits to the work site.

In some circumstances, return to a pre-accident employment position is not possible in the short term or even long term recovery of the client. When this occurs, we work with the client to explore alternate work, education and/or volunteer opportunities, promoting skill development in areas of interest for the client in their future pursuits.

A Transferable Skills Analysis (TSA) aims to identify suitable occupational options based on education , experience and physical level of functioning. Using the National Occupational Classification (NOC), the individual’s overall aptitude levels are determined by the specific skills that he/she has acquired in past employment

A Job Demands Analysis (JDA) is an objective assessment of the cognitive and/or physical demands of a specific occupation. Information is collected through direct observation of the position, interview with employees and supervisors, and measurements of the physical and cognitive requirements. Physical demand measures may include the frequency and duration of:

• Sitting
• Standing
• Walking
• Lifting
• Carrying
• Reaching
• Push/pulling, etc.
• Cognitive/behavioral demand measures may include the degree of:
• Memory
• Attention
• Communication
• Self- supervision
• Responsibility/accountability
• Exposure to emotional or confrontational situations required of the job.
• JDA’s can be used to:
• Determine job suitability by comparing a worker’s ability to the required job demands
• Develop rehabilitation goals
• Assist with development of return to work programs
• Develop job accommodations or task modifications
• A JDA includes:
• Up to 1/2 day of onsite assessment completed by an experienced provider, the length of assessment is dependent on the job complexity and number of tasks required etc.
• Interview with employees, supervisors/and or managers to identify specific job tasks.
• Onsite observation and measurement of the work environment, equipment, and job demands.
• A comprehensive report outlining the cognitive, physical, and/or behavioral requirements of the position, as well as recommendations on ergonomics, workplace design, and injury prevention (if requested).