Welcome to the Industrial Rehabilitation Program, where we specialize in rehabilitating injured workers; each day workers take closer steps towards the ultimate goal of returning to work. Our exclusive commitment is to our workers and in so we have perfected the process in assisting them in returning to work it’s what we do and all we do at the Industrial Rehabilitation Program. A work-related injury can be difficult on the worker and the employer and at the Industrial Rehabilitation Program we understand and treat all aspects of workers’ compensation cases, the physical and the psychosocial. Our injured workers are comfortable knowing they are receiving job specific therapy and advice from professionals who treat similar cases and injuries. We understand that no two cases are exactly alike so each of our injured workers is treated with special care and attention to assist them towards recovery. Our process includes a sequence of steps which include therapies such as Work Conditioning or Work Hardening. Our focus is the one-on-one attention and professional care you receive and with the combine therapy, psychosocial and skill to lead our workers towards health and work. Employers, referral sources, and payers also know we have dedicated our services towards excellence by achieving a 3 year accreditation from CARF (The Commission on Accreditation Rehabilitation Facilities). Our dedication is helping our injured workers return to work as soon as possible and demonstrating additional assistance and education they can take towards their job to prevent injury.
Work Hardening
Our focus and goal at the Industrial Rehabilitation Program is to assist our workers achieve their job specifics and the physical demands of their job so they may return to work. A work hardening program simulates the job specifics of their work environment and assisting them to re-introduce the job specifics of their capabilities. A work hardening program typically begins with an initial assessment, Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) to gather base-line data about an individual’s physical and endurance abilities. The physical abilities are then compared to the required physical demands of the job to determine program goals and estimated duration of the program. Based on the FCE recommendation and assessment, will determine entry to program care. A report is completed after the initial assessment outlining findings of the evaluation and goals of the program. Once program care has begun weekly assessment progress reports will be provided to the referral source and payer. The worker may start off attending daily for 4 hours and progressing to 7 hours per day, 5 days a week; a work hardening program typically last 4 to 8 weeks depending on the needs of the worker. Each week the worker will see an increase with their program activities and understands and agrees that the ultimate goal is reaching their program goals and becoming a step closer to returning to work. The worker goes through a series of work simulation tasks, conditioning exercises, and cardiovascular exercises designed to improve work specific tolerances. Each worker has an individualized treatment plan and tailored to the worker. At the Industrial Rehabilitation Program we understand that there are several psychosocial factors involved in transitioning back into the work environment. So that our work hardening workers are prepared for all aspects of their return to work both physically and mentally a licensed Psychologist assists with any stress factors.
Work Conditioning
During the course of recovery and diminished levels of activity, your body becomes weakened. Activities to which you were accustomed before your injury may now be difficult to perform. Working for an entire day may seem difficult, if not impossible. You may still be experiencing some pain and are not sure what activities you can safely perform. You may either be unable to return to your former employment or be required to return to a level of activity that is less strenuous than that of our previous employment requirements. A work conditioning program varies from a work hardening program in that our participants are beyond the initial acute stage of modalities and strengthening. A work conditioning program is an intensive conditioning and strengthening program with the emphasis on the physical capabilities that are required for work. Daily program typically are 4-7 hours in length over a 4 week period depending on the functional levels needed before full return to work. Some of the demographics treated at our center for the 2006 year were a total of 26 participants: 14 Work Hardening and 12 Work Conditioning. The average length of stay was 22 visits, with the average age of participant being 44.3. The most affected body region seen was the shoulder. Part of being a successful center with the main focus being returning injured workers’ back to work safely, has been formulating outcomes. Upon discharge 81% of participants returned to work, 97% were satisfied with the office staff, 98% with the Industrial Rehabilitation staff, 95% satisfied with Therapeutic treatment, 98% satisfied with the clinic area and 97% satisfied with our Behavioral Component category. These outcomes serve as a baseline to our team in determining our success. Our main focus is returning injured workers to a healthy and employable condition whereby they may successfully rejoin the workforce in the community. Here are some of our participants’ comments upon completion of program (s):
“very attentive with my situation” ~ M. Duque
“the program helped me meet my goals” ~ R. Lopez
“I don’t think I would have been able to return to work this early if it wasn’t for the program” ~ J.Lopez
Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE)
FCE's are intense evaluations that assess a patient’s flexibility, strength, endurance, and ability to perform a wide range of functional tasks. They are designed to find the safe limits of a patient’s abilities and compare those abilities with the requirements of their job to determine their return to work status.
Patients should wear loose comfortable clothing and sneakers for the FCE as they will be doing a wide range of tasks, including walking, lifting, standing, bending, reaching, etc. The evaluation is comprehensive and may last up to 4-5 hours. FCE’s may also be performed during and after the Work Hardening and Work Conditioning programs to determine current abilities and return to work status.
An FCE will assess needs for:
Program care for either work hardening or work conditioning
Intervention and treatment planning; further PT/OT needs
Job Placement following injury or illness
Recommendations for work modifications or determination of work ability
Useful in return to work/case closure
An FCE is defined as a systematic method of measuring an individual’s ability to perform meaningful tasks on a safe and dependable basis. The purpose is to collect information about the functional limitations of a person with medical impairment. A FCE is appropriate for a patient who has been off work with or without restrictions and ready to be released for full duty.
What to Expect
Upon completing a Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) and determining appropriate program care you will begin. A treatment plan is then developed exclusively for you and scheduled out for the duration of your stay. Upon completion of your program an exit FCE is scheduled and a follow-up visit with your physician to determine potential return to work.
Time and Duration of Treatment
Your doctor will prescribe both the frequency and duration of care. Most treatments are 5 days per week, extending over a period of 4 to 6 weeks. Most work hardening sessions will take 7 hours per day and work conditioning sessions 4 to 7 hours per day.
Attendance
Be prepared to stay for the length of time prescribed for either program to which you are assigned. Work hardening / conditioning commences at 7:30AM. Absences will only be excused if approved by the Programs Coordinator; more than 3 unexcused absences will be regarded as non-compliance and may result in discharge from the program. It is best to wear loose-fitting clothing and as your conditioning improves, you will be encouraged to wear clothing typically worn by you at your place of employment.
knowing they are receiving job specific therapy and advice from professionals who treat similar cases and injuries. We understand that no two cases are exactly alike so each of our injured workers is treated with special care and attention to assist them towards recovery. Our process includes a sequence of steps which include therapies such as Work Conditioning or Work Hardening. Our focus is the one-on-one attention and professional care you receive and with the combine therapy, psychosocial and skill to lead our workers towards health and work. Employers, referral sources, and payers also know we have dedicated our services towards excellence by achieving a 3 year accreditation from CARF (The Commission on Accreditation Rehabilitation Facilities). Our dedication is helping our injured workers return to work as soon as possible and demonstrating additional assistance and education they can take towards their job to prevent injury. 
conditioning program varies from a work hardening program in that our participants are beyond the initial acute stage of modalities and strengthening. A work conditioning program is an intensive conditioning and strengthening program with the emphasis on the physical capabilities that are required for work. Daily program typically are 4-7 hours in length over a 4 week period depending on the functional levels needed before full return to work. Some of the demographics treated at our center for the 2006 year were a total of 26 participants: 14 Work Hardening and 12 Work Conditioning. The average length of stay was 22 visits, with the average age of participant being 44.3. The most affected body region seen was the shoulder. Part of being a successful center with the main focus being returning injured workers’ back to work safely, has been formulating outcomes. Upon discharge 81% of participants returned to work, 97% were satisfied with the office staff, 98% with the Industrial Rehabilitation staff, 95% satisfied with Therapeutic treatment, 98% satisfied with the clinic area and 97% satisfied with our Behavioral Component category. These outcomes serve as a baseline to our team in determining our success. Our main focus is returning injured workers to a healthy and employable condition whereby they may successfully rejoin the workforce in the community. Here are some of our participants’ comments upon completion of program (s): 