Occupational Health Services 

Fit for Duty Evaluation 

A Fit for Duty Evaluation is done when the company requests the medical facility to make a determination of the employee's ability to safely perform the essential task of the job. This may be called for when an employee returns to work after a prolonged medical illness or injury, a psychiatric illness or has had a serious substance abuse problem. A fit for duty evaluation may also be requested by the company when an employee manifests behavior or performance that raises questions about their ability to work safely. All personal information is treated confidentially. The company, upon completion of the evaluation, receives a certification of work ability. This can be correlated to the job description. 

The components of the Fit for Duty Evaluation may include, but is not limited to, the following:
1. Evaluation of job description
2. Evaluation of medical condition (mental and/or physical)
3. Review of history by the patient
4. Physical exam
5. "Due diligence" with treating physician(s)
6. Synthesis of data to create work ability
7. Reporting of findings to employer (following HIPA guidelines)

No two evaluations are alike. The time to request, receive and analyze the data is usually extensive.