Less Worker’s Comp With The Right Hires
Chapter 6 of 'From Healthy Aides to Healthier Agency'
What is a Physical Abilities Test (PAT)?
A Physical Abilities Test (PAT) is a way for an employer to more effectively match workers to the physical demands and essential functions of a job. A PAT is a tailored exam, conducted by a Physical Therapist or medical professional, which reveals a prospective employee’s capacity to perform at specified physical demand levels.
Central to the Physical Abilities Test process is a review of the job description and if needed, an analysis of the worksite to review the physical demands and essential functions of the specific job classification.
PAT’s are most often administered to employees before they are placed in a physically demanding position, but many companies also choose to administer a PAT after an employee returns to work post-injury to determine if they are fit for duty.
The PAT was developed to include everyday physical tasks an employee might face while working. Things like lifting weights, standing and sitting repeatedly, pushing wheelchairs, and other such work related tasks can be included in the test to evaluate an employee’s readiness to work in physically intensive environments.
Is there a Physical Abilities Test specifically designed for home care workers?
PATs are always custom tailored to the job functions and skill requirements needed for a particular position. In the case of home care workers, the exam takes 15 minutes and the results are sent within 24 hours so you can be sure that this test won’t slow down your onboarding process and get home care workers placed quickly.
What are the risks of not doing a Physical Abilities Test?
Usually, however, placing the home care workers in an environment 
that is too physically demanding for them leads them to quit and find another case elsewhere.
This may sound harmless enough but when considering the costs associated with turnover you might want to reconsider.
It’s estimated to cost between $7,000 for each position left and hired for.
[edsanimate_start entry_animation_type= “fadeIn” entry_delay= “0” entry_duration= “.5” entry_timing= “linear” exit_animation_type= “” exit_delay= “” exit_duration= “” exit_timing= “” animation_repeat= “1” keep= “yes” animate_on= “scroll” scroll_offset= “75” custom_css_class= “”]
How are you ever going to successfully grow your agency if your workers’ comp premiums are constantly rising and you find yourself throwing money out of the window due to a bad hire?
It’s time to look at the bigger picture so you can carve yourself a nice piece of that $75 billion market everyone is always talking about.
As a business owner leading by example and looking to dominate the industry, you understand the cost of doing business the right way so it doesn’t come to haunt you later on. Suddenly spending a minute sum for a PAT instead of risking having to lose $7,000+ may seem like a good idea.
[edsanimate_end]
