ABOUT PHYSICAL DEMANDS ANALYSIS (PDA)

Physical Demands Analysis (PDA) is a method by which trained professionals may identify a job's essential functions and measure those functions' physical demands.

We've recently updated our Intro to PDA Online course in a collaborative effort between two of our esteemed faculty members, Leslie A. Aldrich, ATC, CEAS, CFCE and Dr. Matt Jeffs, DPT, CHC, CEAS to help you lay the foundations for performing Physical Demands Analyses.

Essential Functions are the fundamental tasks involved in a job. PDA is a method to measure a job's material handling demands. Material handling is lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling. PDA is a method to measure a job's non-material handling demands as well: sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, squatting, kneeling, crawling, and climbing.

Why do Physical Demands Analysis? To form the foundation of a Post-Offer Employment Test. PDA allows employers to choose new-hire candidates who are strong enough, mobile enough, and fit enough for the job. PDA provides information to physicians or rehabilitation professionals so that they can set realistic return to work goals and terminate treatment at the appropriate time. PDA is also useful in increasing the employer's awareness of the physical demands involved in the jobs in their business and to assist in developing or modifying safety or ergonomics programs.

Also covered: When should a Physical Demands Analysis be done? Who can perform a Physical Demands Analysis? Where should a Physical Demands Analysis be done and How is a Physical Demands Analysis done?

The time frame for completing the online course is 30 days for each participant. 2 Contact Hours CE.

The Back School is unable to directly evaluate the proficiency of the student's job analysis skills in the field. TBS therefore cannot certify the accuracy of the Essential Functions or the physical demands measurements contained therein. Thus, TBS assumes no liability for the PDA's contents or the purposes for which the submitter or their associates or customers may be utilizing the document.

OBJECTIVES

  • Outline protocols for performing a job analysis.

  • Identify and confirm essential job functions.

  • Relate the elements necessary in an ADA- Compliant Job Analysis Report.

  • Produce a PDA Report.

  • Describe skills for marketing PDA services to employers.

PRE-REQUISITE SKILLS

  • Range of Motion Assessment

  • Ability to use a force gauge

  • Ability to read a tape measure

  • Basic Task Analysis Skills

This seminar will be helpful to any of the following who meet the prerequisites above.
OT's, PT's, CHT's, HR, Athletic Trainers, Industrial Hygienists, Claims Managers, COTA's, PTA's, RN's, Chiropractors, Safety Professionals, Risk Managers

*CEUs:

This course is currently pre-approved for Continuing Education CEs by the BOC and COPSKT. The Back School is also an AOTA Approved Provider (#4849) and is authorized to offer AOTA  3 contact hours for this class. AOTA Classification Codes: Category 1: Domain of OT & Category 2: Occupational Therapy Process. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA

This and many of our courses are currently or have in the past been pre-approved for continuing education credit by most state PT boards. Other specialities/professional disciplines should be able to submit for individual credit but it is important for you to contact your state licensing board or professional credentialing board for information regarding policies and the amount of continuing education credits allowed for online courses.

COURSE COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS

View the Workshop Presentation Modules. Take and pass a 30-question exam with a 90% correct score.

THESE COPYRIGHTED MATERIALS ARE FOR REGISTRANTS ONLY. BY REGISTERING YOURSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE FOR THIS COURSE YOU AGREE THAT YOU WILL NOT SHARE THESE MATERIALS WITH ANY THIRD PARTY.

REFUND POLICY

Refunds are not available for distance learning courses.

Testimonial

"Very well done."

S.A., LPTA, Cped, MBA, Carrollton, GA

Testimonial

"The content, information and format of the course was presented in an easy to view and also to understand way that allowed a sound basis for study and reference. I like how important processes and steps are listed and then explained in detail following an outline."

Z.B., ATC, Raleigh, NC

Leslie A. Aldrich, ATC, CEAS, CETS, PAVE

Leslie A. Aldrich, ATC, CEAS, CETS, PAVE

Leslie is the Director of Employer Services for BenchMark Rehab Partners, a nationwide physical therapy provider. Leslie is a Certified Athletic Trainer specializing in employment testing, ergonomics, employment and workers’ compensation regulations, emergency medical services, injury management, safety, and wellbeing programs. She has been the head athletic trainer for several college and high school level sports teams. Leslie completed all MSHA training and is a presenter of MSHA part 48 training.

Leslie is a certified provider with the leading employment testing system and has a certification as a physical ability validity evaluator (PAVE). She has been trained in several employment testing and functional capacity platforms.

Working with a variety of employers from coal mines and natural gas fields to food processing facilities and offices has allowed Leslie to develop a variety of professional skills with successful programs. A firm background in objective assessment as an athletic trainer combines well with Leslie’s passion for improving quality of life, leading to impactful onsite interventions.

MODULE 1: THE 5 W'S OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS ANALYSIS

  • The 5 W's of functional baseline testing (FBT)
  • What, why, who, when and where   
  • Employment standards requirement

MODULE 2: IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

  • Important definitions
  • Job purpose, essential functions, marginal functions
  • Manual material handling and non-material handling
  • Environmental considerations, cognitive/perceptual considerations, shift considerations
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE)

MODULE 3: PDA PROCEDURES

  • PDA procedures
  • Supervisor interview
  • Employee observations

MODULE 4: ANALYZING PDA DATA

  • Analyzing PDA data
  • Organizing the data 
  • Dictionary of occupational titles example (DOT)
  • Physical demand characteristics of work 
  • Frequency determinations 

MODULE 5: WRITING THE PDA REPORT

  • Writing the PDA report
  • Example Report- Mill Worker

MODULE 6: HOW TO GET STARTED

  • How to get started
  • Equipment needed to perform a PDA
  • Helpful web links

MODULE 7: MARKETING PDA SERVICES

  • Marketing PDA services to employers
  • Charging for PDAs
  • Bibliography