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POETs in Physical Therapy

POET Physical Therapy Test

The POETs that occur in physical therapy have nothing to do with literature or rhyming. POET stands for post offer of employment testing or post offer employee testing. These tests are one of the most valuable injury prevention resources for both employees and their potential employers. This examination is given to a prospective employee to compare their physical capabilities to the physical demands required to perform the essential functions of the offered position. It ensures that an applicant is physically matched to the job they will perform, and is important for job success, injury prevention, and minimizing the associated costs with any chance of injury. The nice thing about a POET is that it truly benefits both the employee and employer.

More and more companies are using POETs. Companies don’t have to perform these tests for all of their jobs, but if they require a POET for a specific job then they need to test all applicants that apply for the specific job position. POETs are usually performed for jobs that require high physical demands or may be considered high risk occupations for injury. They can also be completed to get baseline data on an employee. Again they are used to safely match an applicant with the job being offered.

POETs occur after a conditional job offer has been made. They are usually performed at occupational health clinics, physical therapy clinics, or at the place of employment. Employers may have additional tests the employee must complete prior to employment (back ground check, drug test, and/or physical). Each POET is specific to the job and the employer. A formal job analysis will be performed; looking at heights of instruments and equipment, positions required for tasks, and the forces needed to grip, pinch, maneuver, push, pull, lift and/or carry to perform the job being analyzed. The heart rate is watched throughout the test for safety reasons; some companies may monitor an applicant’s blood pressure as well. An activity is usually performed at least 3 times so that companies can look at consistency and validity. It’s important that the applicant performs each test to their safe maximal effort. Realize that the employee normally will not be told if they pass or fail the test when the POET is completed. The clinician collects the data, and the employer or third party administrator analyze the data and compare it to the required physical demands. If the performed abilities don’t match the essential functions and physical demands, the job offer can be receded.

A POET shouldn’t scare any employee if they truly feel that they can perform the job they applied for, especially if they have already performed that type of work before. They should be relaxed, go in and perform the activities/tests to their best ability. Remember it’s just trying to ensure that an applicant is physically matched to the job they will perform, and is important to job success and injury prevention (keeping the employee safe).

About the Author - Laura

Laura was born and raised in Poway, CA, and is a southern California girl through and through. She went to college at Loyola Marymount University where she played basketball and rowed crew. She received her Physical Therapist Assistant degree from San Diego Mesa College, and she has been working as an outpatient, orthopedic PTA since 1996. She started her career in Los Angeles, CA, working for HealthSouth and Select Medical at the Kerlan Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic for 10 years. Laura came back home to San Diego in 2007, and has been working with ProActive Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine ever since. She works out of the Rancho Bernardo clinic as well as covering at all of the ProActive clinics. She ran the Aquatic Therapy Program at Kerlan Jobe for 9 years, and now has been in charge of the ProActive’s Aquatic Therapy in Rancho Bernardo. Her other career passion is working with Industrial Rehab and Worker Compensation patients. She has been performing Functional Capacity Evaluations (FCE) and POETS (Post Offer Employment Tests) for her entire career, and has worked with companies like Chevron, Union Pacific Railroad, American and Hawaiian Airlines, and Chrysler. She loves working with and helping people get back to what they want to do. . . walking their dog to playing pickle ball/tennis to going on a trip with their grandchildren. She enjoys walking/hiking with her dogs on her spare time.