Fitness for Duty Evaluations

At Psychology Services of Alaska, we understand how important emotional and psychological well-being is in the workplace—especially in roles that carry significant responsibility and public safety implications.

A fitness for duty evaluation is a specialized assessment that helps determine if an employee is able to perform the duties of his/her job safely and efficiently. In certain safety-sensitive professions such as law enforcement, healthcare, and transportation, an employer will require an evaluation before an employee can return to work after experiencing an injury or illness that potentially affects their ability to perform their usual work duties.

In many ways, a fitness for duty evaluation is similar to other psychological and neuropsychological evaluations. It includes a diagnostic and history-taking interview, tests of brain-related functions, an overall assessment of psychological status, and, when indicated, a thorough review of relevant medical records.

One key difference is that this type of evaluation is paid for by the employer and is not covered by insurance. In addition, results from the evaluation are generally given directly to the employer and, in many cases, are not shared with the employee. Thus, a follow-up appointment with the neuropsychologist to discuss results is not typically scheduled.

We recognize that undergoing a fitness for duty evaluation can feel stressful or uncertain. That’s why we approach every evaluation with a friendly, collaborative tone. We communicate clearly with both the referring agency and the individual, ensuring that all parties understand the purpose and steps of the evaluation. Our process is guided by professional ethics and legal standards.

We recognize that undergoing a fitness for duty evaluation can feel stressful or uncertain. That’s why we approach every evaluation with a friendly, collaborative tone. We communicate clearly with both the referring agency and the individual, ensuring that all parties understand the purpose and steps of the evaluation. Our process is guided by professional ethics and legal standards.

A request for a fitness for duty evaluation must come directly from the employer, or an agency representing the employer. Typically, the employer will need to provide a written request specifying questions they would like the neuropsychologist to answer and a job description that outlines the duties and requirements of the position, and the employee will need provide relevant medical records. If you would like to request an evaluation, please contact us to learn more about our services and requirements for this type of assessment.