Occupational Therapy Services

ORGOC's team of Occupational Therapists (O.T.)provides a wide range of services in each of our program areas. With Neuro-Recovery Services (NRS), 2 of our O.T.s have specialized training in brain and spinal injury and provide case management and therapeutic services to out clients. Where appropriate, the O.T. will also provide training for the client's caregivers, be it family or our own resource aides.

Throughout the country, ORGOC's team of O.T.s and Kinesiologists provides ergonomic assessments for all our clients, whether it's for one of or Disability Management companies or Insurance Companies. Ergonomic assessments are not only an effective tool when returning employees to the worksite, they are extremely beneficial in keeping individuals on the job.

Workplace Health and Safety is another task that our O.T.s and Kinesiologists perform. These highly skilled and professional team members will provide education and assessment in the workplace. They will make recommendations for ergonomic change as well as injury and illness prevention strategies. Of primary importance is the ability of our team to perform Physical Demands Analyses (PDA) of occupations. The PDA is a document which provides objective information regarding the physical and often cognitive demands of a given position within an organization. These are useful both for the employer and the insurance company in returning individuals to employment, either accommodated, modified or regular duties. Many physicians appreciate such documentation when assessing their patients' functional ability to return to work.

The O.T.s also provide reconditioning programs, Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE) and Work Hardening Programs. Once a PDA is completed it becomes necessary to determine an individual's ability to perform the duties of the given position. The FCE is the process and document that will determine this. The 2 documents will determine the return to work program most suitable for the client. In some cases, where an individuals functional capacity does not match the physical requirements of the position our staff are able to provide a program to enhance the physical abilities. While a case manager will be able to work with the OT in modifying duties or determining alternate positions to accommodate disabled clients, the OT and/or kinesiologist can design, implement and monitor a work hardening and/or reconditioning program that increase physical functioning. The work hardening programs are designed to simulate, in a clinical setting, the individuals work demands. The program has the client work under the supervision of our staff performing exercises on a gradually increasing basis until they are able to meet the requirements of the position or have reached a maximum functional ability.

At ORGOC we practice a team approach. Our O.T.s and Kinesioloigists will occasionally also act as the case manager or will work in conjunction with either a Disability Case Manager, Return to Work Coordinator or a Vocational Rehabilitation Consultant.