The WorkSTEPS employment testing program was founded to meet a critical need - to create a reliable, medically and legally defensible employment testing program which could effectively reduce workplace injury incidence and workplace injury cost. The concept for the program was developed approximately ten years ago when it was realized that very few medical practitioners comprehensively addressed industrial medicine. Furthermore, there seemed to be no objective means to reduce unnecessary prolonged treatment for legitimate injuries or to identify illegitimate claims.

THE WORKSTEPS PROGRAM

1. Identifies persons who do not meet job specific strength and/or aerobic requirements;
2. Assist employers in appropriately matching current and new employees to
safe/appropriate job positions;
3. Collects base line physical measurements for comparative analysis to post testing
injury/trauma (compares pre-injury and post injury impairment measurement to avoid payment for a pre-existing loss;
4. Assists in identifying persons who have pre-existing cardiovascular, degenerative, or
cumulative trauma disorders,
5. Allows determination of objective physical/functional loss;
6. Qualifies legitimate injuries and disqualifies fraudulent injuries;
7. Controverts illegitimate claims and stops unwarranted payment of workers'
compensation benefits;
8. Allows successful medical/legal intervention compares an employee's pre injury and
post-injury status;
9. Expedites rehabilitation and return-to-work post legitimate injury; and
10. Assist employers in compliance with applicable federal and state statutes.

As an extension of physical therapy the WorkSTEPS provider offers conditioning and job related rehabilitation exercises aimed at preventing re-injury are implemented. Many patients have had months of inactivity with secondary de-conditioning and are quite susceptible to re-injury. As a result, progressive cardiovascular exercises are implemented to improve aerobic conditioning. Also, work simulated exercise programs are implemented to reinforce the person's self-confidence, educate them to proper work related lifting techniques, and strengthen the muscles necessary for a permanent return to work. It has actually been documented that negligence regarding injury is negated significantly for employers who work with healthcare facilities that provide job simulation to ensure a safe return to work.

Furthermore, recent ADA case law has revealed that "light duty" policies are particularly suspect and may even be unlawful since they make no reference to actual function as it relates to the position in question. Through functional rehab, the patient's real limits can be determined and ADA compliance regarding light duty will not be a factor. The Providers of the WorkSTEPS program are among the best providers of rehabilitation and have been thoroughly screened for quality of service.