Contact Hours:
30 hours (Lecture & Group Work)

Cost:
$1,450.00

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Schedule

Functional Capacity Evaluation Program

The Matheson FCE Certification Program takes place over 4 full days with 3 days of lecture combined with practice and documentation experience and culminates in students performing FCE’s in small groups with the clinical support of Internationally recognized instructors to help participants realize skills at a higher level.

The Matheson FCECP will teach participants how to be “Thinking Evaluators” using evaluation instruments that are peer reviewed and published, inexpensive, court tested, widely accepted in the field and backed by published and peer reviewed reliability and validity studies. Healthcare professionals in a variety of specialties are appropriate to train in FCE including but not limited to, Occupational and Physical Therapists and Assistants, Chiropractors, MD’s, RN’s, Athletic Trainers and Kinesiotherapists.

  • Students will be trained to plan, administer, and report an individualized FCE that meets the reliability and validity requirements and high standards of the practice hierarchy of industrial rehabilitation.
  • Students will replicate the FCE process via a hands-on case study practicum under the guidance of the instructor. Administration of the FCE protocol is followed by a write-up of test results. Presentation and critique of the FCE report completes the practicum day.

Our 40+year reputation in the industry has solidified our certifications as a designation of a highly skilled evaluators around the globe which is why we view certification and the associated designation as something to be earned through the development of skills and the mastery of processes and documentation. It is for this reason that Matheson does NOT designate individuals as certified just by attending a training course. The process of certification takes place following training with the completion of 10 assessments within a year from the training date. Extensions are available for those just getting started. Processes are discussed in training and available to Alumni on the website.

Learning Outcomes

Each of the twelve sections of the Matheson FCE Manual contain learning objectives as follows:

Chapter 1 – Introduction to FCE
1. Students will identify different types of FCE’s and how the Practice Hierarchy is used in the FCE process through classroom discussion and unit exercises.

Chapter 2 – FCE Preparation
1. Students will demonstrate comprehension of the FCE planning method through completion of Exercise #1 in the Documentation guide followed by instructor lead review and discussion.

Chapter 3 – Purpose of the FCE
1. Students will demonstrate their ability to determine the purpose of the FCE and the mechanisms to elicit this information through the FCE planning phase in preparation for FCE performance during the Practicum day.

Chapter 4 – Intake Interview
1. Students will identify key components of the intake interview process (to include the job demand and Functional Tolerance Interview) and perform an interview in small groups during this educational module. This will process will be planned and repeated as part of the FCE Plan during the FCE Practicum day.

Chapter 5 – Reliability of Pain and Disability Reports
1. Students will list 5 tests and tools used for RPDR testing, and will demonstrate administration during small group case study work during this teaching module. Additional assessment of their understanding and competence will take place during the FCE Practicum day.

Chapter 6 – Physical Effort
1. Students will list 5 tests and tools used for PE testing, and will demonstrate administration during small group case study work during this teaching module. Additional assessment of their understanding and competence will take place during the FCE Practicum day.

Chapter 7 – Musculo-skeletal Screening
1. Students will list contraindications for FCE testing and important MSS components for inclusion in the FCE during small group exercise and classroom discussion. Evidence of understanding of this concept is further supported in the FCE practicum planning and FCE performance on Practicum day.

Chapter 8 – Dexterity Testing
1. Students will administer dexterity tests using the appropriate protocol manual during the Dexterity Testing lab. The student will perform, analyze and score the dexterity tests performed during the FCE practicum on Practicum day.

Chapter 9 – Mobility Testing
1. Students will identify and perform a mobility test on a group member during the lecture module. The FCE plan for practicum day will include identification and administration of an appropriate test consistent with the goal of their case study

Chapter 10 – MET testing
1. Students will demonstrate their understanding of MET test administraton during the MET Testing lab. These skills are further supported in the FCE practicum planning and the FCE performance on Practicum day.

Chapter 11 – Material Handling
1. Students will correctly identify each of the 3 lift tests presented in the lecture module for material handling. This identification will be assessed through the critique of the students FCE plan related to their case study for the FCE Practicum day.

Chapter 12 – Work Simulation –
1. Students will develop a work simulation circuit consistent with the identified goals of their treatment plan for FCE case study. The work simulation circuit will be reviewed by the instructor and observed during the FCE practicum day.

Attainment of outcomes is assessed throughout the five-day course via participant instructor interaction, individual design of a comprehensive testing protocol based on a case study, participation in a full-day practicum, and group presentation on the final day of the program.

In order to enhance the learning experience, these learning tools will be used in the curriculum:

Case Study Practicum
Beginning on the first day of instruction, two case studies will be used to walk through the process of planning and administering a low-back focused evaluation and an upper extremity evaluation. At each step of the learning process decision making, data collection, interpretation and report writing will be emphasized.

Online Video
To reinforce the methodology and techniques learned throughout the course, video of the entire functional capacity evaluation process will be available through the Matheson web site. Students may visit the site to review evaluation tests and techniques at their own pace.

Report Template
In a further effort to support graduates, an FCE report template will be distributed to course participants.

Course Approvals

AOTA CEU’s awarded based upon completion of the course in its entirety.

 

Matheson Education and Training Solutions is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to offer continuing education for Certified Athletic Trainers.

 

 

 

 

Cancellation Policy
Matheson Education and Training Solutions LLC
166 South River Road Suite 240
Bedford, NH 03110
Phone: 1-800-443-7690 (Toll Free)
603-358-6525 (Int’l)
Fax: 603-358-0116
Email: info@roymatheson.com
www.roymatheson.com

Charles Alexander, OTR/L, CWCE, CEES 

Charles Alexander, OTR/L is a licensed Occupational Therapist in the state of Vermont and New York. He Graduated from Utica College in 2002 and has worked primarily in the arena of injury prevention, ergonomics, industrial rehabilitation and FCE. He is a Certified Ergonomic Evaluation Specialist (CEES) and has experience in both large and small business injury prevention efforts and ergonomics. His clinical focus has primarily been working with individuals who have work-related injuries. He works closely with several employers including (Green Mountain Power, Rhino Foods, Perigo, Twincraft, Velco, Bombardier Transportation, Volvo-Nova Bus, Mold-Rite Plastics and City of Burlington VT), in providing a mixture of onsite ergonomics, post offer/pre-employment testing, job analyses, and preventative programs that promote self-treatment and management. He is EPIC certified and is contracted in the legal arena as an expert witness.

 

Christina Howe, OTR, CWCE

As a consultant, Christina is involved in various areas of occupational rehabilitation for companies nationwide. She has specialized in OT for 24 of her 25 years in practice.

Ms. Howe has been passionate about the field of Occupational Rehabilitation for 34 of her 35 years in practice. Her experience includes starting, designing and running two Occupational Medicine and Rehabilitation facilities offering the full scope of practice from Occupational Medicine through to Physical and Occupational Therapy, FCE’s, work hardening/conditioning and ergonomics, job analysis and on-site preventative services.

An Instructor for Matheson for 25 years, she has trained thousands of professionals worldwide. As the lead instructor for the Matheson FCE Certification Program she has been instrumental in leading the curriculum development for the FCE Certification program in collaboration with a team of experts from the US and Canada. She is chair of the Matheson Certification Committee and continues in practice in Bedford, NH performing FCE’s for Medical-Legal and worker’s compensation cases.

As President of Matheson Ms. Howe looks forward to continuing the growth and development of the Matheson System while training high level Thinking Evaluators around the world. She continues her clinical practice in Bedford, NH performing ergonomic services for local companies and FCE’s for medical/legal and worker’s compensation cases.

 

Erica Galipeau, PT, CWCE, CEES

Erica is co-owner of Injury & Health Management Solutions Inc. (IHMS), near Burlington, Vermont. IHMS provides on-site services at such companies as Burton Snowboards, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Bombardier Transportation, Vermont Teddy Bear, Goodrich, and The Lane Press. These services include physical therapy, ergonomic evaluations, all levels of injury prevention and ergonomic training, direct problem solving of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), wellness, Post-Offer employment screenings, FCEs, ADA job analyses, and computer ergonomics.

Neil Taylor, OT, CWCE, CWcHP

Neil currently holds certifications through Matheson & Associates in Functional Capacity Evaluation & Ergonomic Evaluations, as well as a National Certification in Workers Compensation. He currently is registered as a Workers Compensation Healthcare Provider compensation certification in Delaware / Maryland. Neil has concentrated his practice as an Occupational Therapist since 1994 to the field of work injury with concentration on acute rehabilitation/ work conditioning, return to work programs, functional capacity evaluations and ergonomics. He daily works closely with all parties in the field of workers compensation including Physicians, Risk Managers, Employers, Attorneys, Occupational Medicine Physicians/ Nurses, Nurse Case Managers assisting in case resolution as needed.

 

Gerard Kerr, Reg OT (BC), CWCE

Gerard has over 25 years of experience in a wide variety of physical medicine, mental health, and vocational settings and has practiced in the South Pacific, Britain, and in North America. Today, he is a senior consultant occupational therapist and founding member of Progressive Rehab (Orion Health) in Vancouver, BC.

Day One

Orientation
8:30 – 9:00
Introduction to course

Philosophy
9:00 – 9:30
The Matheson Evaluation Philosophy and the Practice Hierarchy

FCE
9:30 – 10:00
Flow Chart and Video of FCE

BREAK
10:00 – 10:15

Documentation
10:15 – 10:45
Documentation Guidelines

FCE
10:45 – 11:15
Purpose and Preparation

FCE
11:15 – 12:00
Intake with Practicum

LUNCH
Noon – 1:00

RPDR
1:00 – 3:00
Matheson definition of RPDR. In-depth analysis of the “Objective Evaluation of Pain” during: Intake, Functional Tolerance Profile, Sorts, Pain Questionnaires and Musculoskeletal Evaluation and Rapid Movements Tests.

BREAK
3:00 – 3:15

RPDR Continues
3:15 – 5:00
RPDR with Practicum

Day Two

Questions
8:00 – 8:15
Questions

Physical Effort
8:15 – 10:00
Matheson definition of PE. In-depth analysis of: Competitive Test Performance ©, Maximum Voluntary Effort (or Isometric Grip) Testing, Rapid Exchange Grip Test Protocol, Bell Curve Analysis, Heart Rate Monitoring, Clinical Consistencies, Effort vs. RPDR.

BREAK
10:00 – 10:15

Physical Effort
10:15 – 11:00
Practicum

Dexterity Tools
11:00 – 12:00
Review of Purdue Pegboard and Complete Minnesota Dexterity.

LUNCH
12:00 – 1:00

Dexterity Tools
1:00 – 3:00
Testing – protocol, procedures and norms. Practicum.

BREAK
3:00 – 3:15

Mobility
3:15 – 5:00
In-Depth Review of Mobility Testing: Stooping, Crouching, Kneeling, Whole Body Range of Movement. (MTM)

Day 3

8:00 – 8:15 – Questions

8:15 – 9:00 – Mobility

9:00 – 9:30 – Bench

9:30 -10:00 – Mobility w/ Practicum

BREAK
10:00 – 10:15

10:15 – 11:00 – MET Testing w/ Practicum

11:00 – 12:00 – Lifting w/ Practicum

LUNCH
12:00 – 1:00

1:00 – 2:00 – Complete Lift Push, Pull, Carry

2:30 – 3:00 – Work Simulation w/ Practicum

BREAK
3:00 – 3:15

3:15 – 4:00 FCE How to Write a Summary

4:00 – 5:30 Practicum Preparation

End of Day

Day 4

8:00 – 5:00 – Practicum

 

 

 

“This Ergonomics Evaluation Certification Program is extremely valuable. Dr. LaCourse is an excellent instructor with years of hands-on experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in reducing cumulative trauma disorders.”

“Also, I just completed my very first FCE today……. And it was AWESOME!!! I could hear you talking in the back of my head the whole time! Very exciting!! Thanks for such a great learning experience!”

“I was so impressed with my entire Matheson experience.”

“As a provider of FCEs for 12-plus years, I have been through several training programs. I would recommend Matheson without reservation. Thanks to your training, my staff is the best prepared in my area. It has made a difference for my business and has set us ahead of our competition.”

“Far and away the best certification course I have attended in my seven-year professional career. The instructors are knowledgeable and apply all of the information to real-world scenarios. Thank you!”

This Ergonomics Evaluation Certification Program is extremely valuable. Dr. LaCourse is an excellent instructor with years of hands-on experience. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in reducing cumulative trauma disorders.”

“Of all the FCE training I have received, Matheson is the most evidence-based. I like that it is a battery of standardized tests, and not a standard battery of tests. It also requires thinking as an evaluator, unlike other programs that don’t allow you to consider any non-quantitative factors, which results in an opinion of functional capacity lacking in external validity. The Matheson FCE makes the most of what is available right now.”

“The Amended ADA Webinar was outstanding and I really appreciate your willingness to do them.  You have gotten to the heart of the matter in the “gray areas” that people have familiarity with, but are not comfortable discussing.  I treasure every one of these webinars.  They have helped me be a better evaluator and allowed me to speak intelligently to our employers and other referral sources.”

“I just wanted to e-mail you and let you know that I found this webinar to be extremely helpful to me in my position as an the on site PT manager. In my opinion your webinar provided excellent information about the ADA issues we may face and invaluable advice to avoid legal pitfalls related to our work site analysis and testing procedures.”

“We are utilizing the Matheson philosophy not only for Functional Capacity Evaluation, but also for the foundation of interdisciplinary treatment of chronic pain patients at our clinic in Waltham MA, Boston PainCare. The culture of function is throughout all of our departments, interventional, functional rehabilitation, medication management, sleep, and behavioral.
Spending the week training for FCEs in Keene, NH was very exciting as it allowed me to know that we are not only on the…”

The instructors did an excellent job of breaking down the complex concepts into the most simple and understandable pieces of information. My folders of countless papers from various sources, both online and off, have been consolidated into one well-laid out reference book!

Thank you for having the Essential Function Job Analysis course available. I have been doing job analyses and post offer test formulation at my company for 8 years now and this course taught me that we need to (and will) make some adjustments to our procedures to better defend any possible legal challenges. That means a great deal to me as a business owner.

“Your webinars have made me a better evaluator and allowed me to speak intelligently to our employers and other referral sources.”

Testimonials

Matheson Development