Injury and Ability Management

Total Physiotherapy works alongside businesses to help with employment management from Pre-Employment and Suitability for Work Screening specific to job suitability, to Workplace Ergonomic Assessments, and Post Injury Return to Work Planning.

We work with businesses to define the physical demands of jobs. Physical Demands Analysis (PDA) tools provide an objective and standardized baseline measure of the physical requirements of a specific job.

Suitability for Work Screening tools and Post Injury Return to Work Assessment tools can then be developed to be specific to the physical demands of the job.

Total Physiotherapy offers training to Medical Doctors, Physiotherapists, Occupational Nurses and Paramedics, and On-Site First Aid on how to use the Return to Work tools we develop.

For more information on our Industry Support Services please email industry.enquiry@totalphysio.ca.

Video TeleHealth Consultation Services
Total Physiotherapy has been providing video-link TeleHealth physiotherapy consultations to industry workers since March 2016.

Currently consults can be provided by Zoom, jane.app, Duo, FaceTime, Teams or WhatsApp.

To request an information package on our Video TeleHealth services please email info@totalphysio.ca.
Return to Work Planning
A Return to Work (RTW) Plan has two components: the workplace and the worker.

A Workplace Assessment is the first step in Return to Work Planning. The physiotherapist visits the workplace while it is operating normally and with the worker in attendance. An objective visual assessment is completed while the worker undertakes the various tasks of the job. A Workplace Assessment is not required if a Physical Demands Analysis is available for the job being considered.

The RTW Plan provides a schedule for the return to work with prescribed and recommended limitations. The plan includes a review of the workplace including a description of what the job is and how the job is done and how this relates to the worker's limitations and abilities.

Return to Work planning often follows a Work Conditioning and Occupational Functional Rehabilitation program.

For more information contact info@totalphysio.ca.
Physical Demands Analysis (PDA)
This is a standardized and objective tool that establishes the physical demands of a specific job. The assessment is completed at the job site with the work operating as normal.

The Physical Demands Analysis provides a vital tool in establishing baselines to provide the framework for Return to Work Planning, undertaking worker Functional Capacity Evaluations, assessing job and worker suitability, and assisting local healthcare professionals in focusing worker rehabilitation.

The Physical Demands Analysis tool includes a breakdown of the physical demands of the job, a summary of job requirements and a short video of the job being done. The tool uses standardized terms from the Dictionary of Occupational Titles and the National Occupational Classifications.

The Physical Demands Analysis is a required element for an effective Pre Employment and Suitability for Work Screen, Functional Capacity Evaluation, Work Conditioning and Rehabilitation Program and Return to Work Planning.

This tool can also be called a Critical Demands Analysis or a Job Demands Analysis.

For more information contact info@totalphysio.ca.
Suitability for Work Screening
This screening can be completed as part of a pre-employment process to assist in making new hiring decisions, or where workers are required to show levels of ability prior to returning to work following an injury or illness.

Screening packages can be customised to the industry and the job. A screening package can include physical assessment of fitness to do the job, medical screen, point of care drug screen and point of care alcohol screen, or a combination of services to meet your needs.

Screening is completed in a clinical setting. The physical assessment looks at the person's physical status including strength and any physical issues that could affect their ability to do the job. Recommendations may be provided to the candidate at the time of assessment for specific exercises. If areas of concern are raised during the medical screen the candidate is encouraged to consult with their family doctor.

Drug screening and alcohol screening is done in a secure clinical setting by DATAC Certified specimen collectors.

A summary report is provided to the requestor following the assessment.

Total Physiotherapy can help you to improve your pre-employment screening by working with you to develop assessment tools to match the physical demands of jobs in your company. The Pre Employment Assessment tool is most effective if a Physical Demands Analysis has been completed for the job the candidate is being considered for.

For more information contact info@totalphysio.ca.
Work Conditioning and Occupational Functional Rehabilitation
An assessment is completed to assess a worker's current physical status. This assessment establishes a baseline for the development of a rehabilitation program or to assess ability to return to work after an injury or illness.

Work Conditioning and Occupational Rehab programs are tailored to the worker and their specific requirements as assessed. The program may include working with a Physiotherapist, Kinesiologist or Exercise Therapist in a gym setting, swimming pool, or in a simulated workplace setting.

Programs includes physical conditioning, focused strengthening, safe lifting and carrying techniques, and preventative stretching. Emphasis is put on functional activities relevant to the worker's occupation.

On completion of the program a Discharge Summary Report will include a review of the worker's current status and recommendations for suitability for return to work. Following the completion of the program a Return to Work Plan Assessment is usual.

This program is most effective if a Physical Demands Analysis has been completed for the job or jobs being considered for the worker.

For more information contact info@totalphysio.ca.
Ergonomic Consulting
Ergonomics deals with the design of the workplace to maximise productivity by reducing worker discomfort and fatigue. Because physiotherapists are knowledgeable in the areas of anatomy, physiology and psychology, they are well equipped to perform ergonomic consulting in the workplace.

We offer the following ergonomic assessment services:

Workplace Ergonomic Assessment

A workplace ergonomic assessment is completed at the worksite. The worksite must be operating normally for the assessment to be effective.

This assessment will look for ergonomic concerns for the average worker that could result in injury due to repetitive or awkward movements or vibration. This is not a safety assessment, however any dangers identified will be highlighted. Standardized and informal assessment measures are used.

The report will include a summary of each component of the workplace that was assessed and recommendations for any modifications to the workplace or changes to techniques. Exercises tailored to the workplace are included in an on-line accessible program. Video or still shot footage may be included if it is warranted.

Worker Specific Ergonomic Assessment

If ergonomic concerns have been identified relating to a particular worker in a field or factory workplace a more worker-specific ergonomic assessment can be completed.

The assessment is completed at the worksite. The worksite must be operating normally and the worker involved must be present for the assessment to be effective. The worker is observed doing their job. The workplace is assessed for any ergonomic concerns. A brief history is taken from the worker of what they do in a normal day, any relevant medical history and current physical issues.

The report includes recommendations to make the workplace more ergonomically correct for the worker. Exercises tailored to the worker are included in an on-line accessible program. Video or still shot footage may be included if it is warranted.

Office Ergonomic Assessment

The worker is observed in their office setting. A brief history is taken from the worker of what they do in a normal day, any relevant medical history and current physical issues.

An objective assessment of the worker's posture and regular working activities is carried out. The office workplace is assessed including the furniture, lighting and other environment factors. The physiotherapist considers the layout of the furniture as it relates to the work done. Simple adjustments may be made immediately with the worker's acceptance.

The report includes recommendations to make the workplace more ergonomically correct for the worker. Exercises tailored to the worker are included in an on-line accessible program.

For more information contact info@totalphysio.ca.
Drug Screening & Alcohol Screening
Our office is DATAC Certified as specimen collectors for point of care drug screening and alcohol screening. All drug and alcohol screening is done in a secure clinical environment.

In-clinic drug screening can be done with 10-panel or 12-panels drug screening test. Samples can be Laboratory Test certified on request.

Alcohol screening is done either with a DOT approved saliva screening test or with a BACTrack Breathalyzer.

Screening results are provided in writing to the requestor within 24 hours of the screening appointment. At-the-time verbal interim results by phone can be provided.

For more information contact info@totalphysio.ca.
Worker Education Seminars
Total Physiotherapy develops and presents industry specific worker education seminars and packages.

Job specific risks are identified and a prevention package put together, including preventative stretches and strengthening, early identification of a problem, and self treatment protocols.

Packages are available on-line for workers to view and access as required.

Group presentations on different health and safety topics are available and can be tailored to industry specific audiences. Presentations can be done on-site if required.

For more information contact info@totalphysio.ca.
Medical Doctor Support Services
Total Physiotherapy has partnered with a team of Medical Doctors to provide Video Telehealth services to our industry clients.

In 2020 this service helped tree planting in Canada go ahead in the face of the COVID19 pandemic by allowing planters to receive in-camp medical doctor advice. We helped to keep planters out of emergency departments for non-emergency issues and we helped keep planters planting.

While the immediate use of this initiative in 2020 was to support the tree planting industry, these services have been extended to other industries working in remote locations of British Columbia. For more information on how we can provide medical doctor support to your workers and medical oversight to your company please email matau.solutions@gmail.com.

Company resource portal

Documents and videos for your workers