Work Site Injury & Prevention
Work Site Injury & Prevention
Work Site Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation
Prevention is the best medicine. Great Northern Physical Therapy offers a number of services in order to help reduce an employer’s Worker’s Compensation claims and keep the employee safe and on the job.
Matching an employee’s physical abilities to the demands of the job is important in reducing work injuries. Our physical abilities tests can be customized to meet the demands of a job.
Work Injuries
Unfortunately on the job injuries can and do occur. We apply the best evidence following the published utilization and treatment guidelines. Our therapists listen to you, the injured worker, understanding how your injury is impacting your life, your employment and function. We create a unique treatment plan to address your specific problem. With the ultimate goal of alleviating pain, restoring function and returning to work in a safe and timely fashion.
Montana DLI: Utilization & Treatment Guidelines
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Our expert team of physical therapists have over 65 years of combined expertise treating sports and orthopedic injuries.
“Jim Treated me very well during my physical therapy appointments. By following his recommendations I was able to improve. He is a good person who treated me with kindness and respect during my visits. I had a wonderful experience with him as a person. I can recommend him without hesitation to treat what is necessary”
-Telesforo, Injured Worker
Post offer physical ability test
A physical ability test is a test of the applicant’s ability to meet the physical requirements of the job. It is conducted by the applicant after they have been offered a position to ensure they have the physical abilities to safely perform the job.
This process starts with a on site job analysis, which identifies the specific demands and tasks required by the job. We then use this information to create a post offer test that is tailored to the demands that your workers face as they perform their job. An accurate job analysis is an essential step in the process to help ensure that you meet the ADA’s requirements for post offer testing and thereby protecting you from potential litigation should someone fail the test.
Types of physical ability testing
Pass/fail testing
This is the most common type of test. The applicant is tested on his/her ability to perform the required tasks of the job. If he/she can’t perform all the aspects of the test, they fail the test and are not given the job.
Placement testing
This test is used to place an applicant into a position within the company that best meets the applicant’s physical abilities.
Pre-existing injury screening
This test is used to screen an applicant for injuries that they may already have prior to starting the job.
Baseline testing
The objective of this test is to calculate a baseline functional capacity of an employee. If an employee is later injured on the job and cannot return to work, the company has a baseline functional capacity by which to calculate the employee’s disability level. This type of test is usually done when pass/fail testing is difficult to perform.
Combination of the above
Frequently companies wants a combinations of the above tests (pre-existing injury screening combined with a Pass/Fail test, for example).
Post Offer Testing Benefits Your Company
Our expertise and competitive pricing have made Great Northern the leading clinic in helping companies and workers navigate work related injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Post offer testing is all about saving the company money and making your employees safer. This is done by screening for applicants that have a greater than average risk of being injured on the job. One of three things happen when an employee is hired for a job that they are physically unable to do:
They get injured
This drives the company’s workers compensation premiums up and the employee has their life disrupted by a potentially life altering injury.
They quit
They realize they can’t do the job – leaving the company with the cost of recruiting and re-training a new employee.
They get lucky
They manage to get stronger and are able to adapt to the requirements of the job without being injured in the process.
The problem with trusting that your employees will fall into the third category is that if they don’t, the cost to the company can be substantial. Not even the best test can eliminate all injuries but if we can help reduce the frequency and severity of injuries then the cost saving for your company can be substantial.
Post Offer Testing Benefits Your Company
Our expertise and competitive pricing have made Great Northern the leading clinic in helping companies and workers navigate work related injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Post offer testing is all about saving the company money and making your employees safer. This is done by screening for applicants that have a greater than average risk of being injured on the job. One of three things happen when an employee is hired for a job that they are physically unable to do:
They get injured
This drives the company’s workers compensation premiums up and the employee has their life disrupted by a potentially life altering injury.
They quit
They realize they can’t do the job – leaving the company with the cost of recruiting and re-training a new employee.
They get lucky
They manage to get stronger and are able to adapt to the requirements of the job without being injured in the process.
The problem with trusting that your employees will fall into the third category is that if they don’t, the cost to the company can be substantial. Not even the best test can eliminate all injuries but if we can help reduce the frequency and severity of injuries then the cost saving for your company can be substantial.
Research Supports Post Offer Testing
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Workers’ compensation cost have increased at an alarming rate over the last 20 years. In Montana data from 2014 showed that the average medical cost per claim for lost time injuries was nearly $45,000 and the total cost was just over $80,000. (4, 7)
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Companies save $6-18 for every $1 spent on screening. (1, 2, 8)
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Employees that fail a post offer test are 30-40% more likely to be injured on the job than those that pass the test. (1, 3, 5, 6)
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There is a 20% increase in employee retention among those who pass the test compared to those who fail. (1, 5)
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Post offer testing that include only strength testing are not effective at predicting injury or severity of injury. (3)
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Functional testing that is paired with the demands of the job is effective at reducing frequency and severity of work related injury. In addition the the amount of lost time from work is also significantly reduced. For example the incidents of lower back injuries were reduced from 33% to just 3% among those who passed the test. (3, 6, 8)
Rehabilitation of Work-Related Injuries
Our team of expert physical therapist have received advanced training in treating occupational injuries. Our expertise has made Great Northern the leading clinic in helping workers return to work. Our goal is to help our patients return to work as fast a possible while minimizing the risk of re-injury. Great Northern is committed to helping our patients reach full recovery and to prevent development of long term pain and disability from work related injuries. Following successful rehabilitation patients will be put through a return to work physical ability test to make sure they are ready and capable of returning to work. This helps minimize the risk of re-injury and potential liability for aggravating a pre-existing injury.
One of the most important factors for optimal recovery from an injury is receiving prompt treatment. At Great Northern we are committed to getting you in for treatment within 1-2 days. We accept Workman’s Compensation insurance and our friendly staff will help you with any questions you may have regarding your insurance coverage.
Great Northern offers flexible hours ranging from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. We also work through the lunch hour to help minimize your time away from work.
We will provide personalized care with excellence, enthusiasm, and ethics
Our Expertise
Reviews
I have come to Great Northern off and on for several years but this past year I had two knee replacements 6 months apart and had many appointments during that time. My recovery was outstanding both times but I also appreciated the personal care and the way my sometimes-changing challenges were addressed. I thought there a great balance between understanding where I was at but pushing me to do a little better. I worked with Kara mostly over this past year but have also worked with James and a couple others. I think all the therapists were knowledgeable and helpful and I would definitely recommend them. As I age, I’m sure I will be back but I’m confident they will be there for me.
Cynthia
Patient
I had a wonderful experience working with Kate Dolan in 2021. I was experiencing urinary "urgency" and signed up for Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy with Kate. Kate is a fantastic teacher. Within a few sessions, I had no more episodes of "I'm going to pee my pants, now." As a bonus, Kate also helped me a lot with lifelong constipation issues. I really think every woman should do a few sessions of pelvic floor PT--you learn so much. At Great Northern, I've also had great experiences working with Christian Appel for my frozen shoulder and knee arthritis, and with Jim Sykes for bike fitting (a much-needed service in Bozeman). I will return to Great Northern for any PT needs in the future. (So many activities, so many joints, so many years behind me; the next injury can't be too far off, haha.)
Lisa
Patient
Bill
Patient
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