Occupational Health

Fitness to Work Assessment (FTW)

What is the goal of the program?

“Fit to work” or “fitness to work” is a medical assessment done when an employer wishes to be sure an employee can safely do a specific job or task. The purpose is to determine if medically the employee can perform the job or task under the working conditions. Fitness to work assessments are most often done to determine medical fitness after an illness or injury, but are sometimes done after employment has been offered, as requested by the employer, or as a condition of a job transfer.

Who is this program for?

If there are work-related performance issues or an injury, a FTW may be conducted to determine the underlying causes, extent of pre-existing or current problems and the efficacy of current medical treatment, with a view to further recommendations for investigations and treatment. This evaluation may be conducted at the request of an employer or an insurance carrier to obtain an independent opinion of the clinical status of the individual. Based on a brief review of the individual’s history, an interview process and an objective medical assessment, HUM provides a detailed, highly defensible report.

A FTW is usually necessary if someone has been off work on disability. It is usually preceded by an IME. Sometimes, a FTW results in a recommendation for an IME if issues are identified during a FTW that require a more thorough review of the person’s past health and/or more investigations and treatment.

How is the program delivered?

There are 3 options available at HUM for FTW assessments:

Psychological FTW assessment + report*
Medical FTW assessment + report*
Psychological and Medical FTW assessment + report*

*All types of assessments include an initial meeting with a Registered Nurse where background and demographic information is collected along bio-psycho-social-spiritual dimensions.

When can someone start the program, how does one start, and are there any prerequisites?

Anyone can self-refer to HUM and there is no wait list or prerequisites to starting. All it takes to get started is a phone call.

What are the costs?

After the comprehensive assessment has been completed, the cost of the fitness to work assessment and report will be anywhere from $150-$1200 depending on the time required to do the FTW and report