Multi - Day Situational Work Assessment (MSWA) / Comprehensive Employability Assessment
 

Purpose: Provided through RTW Integrated Health Management, this comprehensive service assesses the strengths and limitations of an individual relative to the cognitive, psychological and interpersonal demands of a given occupation or generally. It is designed especially to be used in conjunction with the Cognitive-Psychological Job Demands Analysis (CP-JDA). As examples, the MSWA is particularly relevant for the following types of disability/illness related concerns: brain impairment, psychological impairment, stress claims, chronic pain, Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue claims, etc. This service is applicable to any condition — physical, emotional and/or cognitive — which is felt to have a potentially significant impact on the individual’s thinking, cognitive, interpersonal and/or psychological processes and abilities. As a more comprehensive service relative to the Cognitive/Psychological Functional Ability Evaluation (CP-FAE), the MSWA may be used to address either the client’s capabilities relative to a specific occupation or to a range of occupations generally. Should a rating of psychological/ psychiatric disability relative to the American Medical Association’s Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment be required, this assessment is also appropriate to address many of the required domain areas, and especially that of work adaptation within the Mental/Behavioural sphere.

Features: A 2 to 3 day simulated work and standardized method-time-measurement (MTM) work sample assessment to address issues of cognitive efficiency, stamina, capacity, learning, reasoning, problem solving abilities, stress tolerance, behavioural control capacity, social interaction skills, and work traits of the client, relative to specific and general cognitive job demands. Neurological cases typically require a 3 day assessment, while others generally undergo a 2 day assessment.  The standardized assessment protocol of work samples is completed at the beginning of the first day and end of the last day, in order to consider: (1) stamina issues; and, (2) measured aptitude levels relative to minimum aptitude requirements for occupations being considered for the individual.  In certain situations in which the client is working or a work site is available, it may be possible to perform the evaluation at the place of employment.

Test Domains: The following areas are typically addressed in the course of this evaluation:
                                   Ψ Pragmatic verbal abilities
                                   Ψ Pragmatic numerical
                                   Ψ Occupational aptitudes
                                   Ψ Sustained concentration and activity persistence
                                   Ψ Attention/memory/learning
                                   Ψ Higher level cognitive abilities (problem solving, thinking, decision making)
                                   Ψ Work productivity, pace and stamina
                                   Ψ Social interaction
                                   Ψ Emotional/behavioural control
                                   Ψ Work related adaptation/stress tolerance
                                   Ψ Work traits

Benefits: Objective measurement of an individual’s current cognitive, psychological and social-interactional capacities relative to workplace demands (as measured by the CP-JDA). Important in income replacement disability benefit determination based upon claimant’s demonstrated functional cognitive abilities rather than subjective or medical opinion alone. It may also be combined with a psychological diagnostic assessment for purposes of diagnostic confirmation/clarification. If required, a wage loss comparison may also be included of the individual’s pre-condition wage relative to other occupations being considered (for further information see Post 104 Week Rebuttals: “Post-DAC DAC”).

Recommended Referral Time: Whenever concerns arise that an individual’s psychological, cognitive or medical status may be potentially interfering with his/her ability to perform specific or general cognitive, psychological, interpersonal and/or sedentary to light/moderate physical work demands.