An RTD assessment is a process to determine if employees in safety-sensitive roles are fit to return to work after medical leave. It ensures they are capable of safely performing their job duties.
Return-to-Duty / Fitness-for-Duty
Our Return-to-Duty and Fitness-for-Duty assessments determine whether an employee can safely return to their previous role or transition into a new one, along with any necessary accommodations to support their success on the job.
Examinetics Services
Getting employees back to work safely and compliantly is critical for both their well-being and your operations. Examinetics offers a comprehensive return-to-work solution that includes Return to Duty assessments for personal leave and Fitness for Duty evaluations following workplace concerns. Our clinical team engages directly with your employee to outline their responsibilities, clarify required documentation, and guide them through every step of the process.
We begin with a thorough review of medical history and any current treatment plans, then determine the appropriate clinical evaluation needed to assess job readiness. The result is a streamlined, professional process that protects your workforce, supports compliance, and minimizes downtime.
Return-to-Duty Evaluations
Support a safe, compliant, and confident return to work.
When employees return after injury, illness, or medical leave, employers need more than a sign-off; they need clarity and assurance. Our Return to Duty evaluations help ensure readiness while reducing the risk of re-injury and liability.
Return-to-Duty Testing Is Ideal:
- After surgery or medical leave
- Following rehabilitation or a light-duty assignment
- Post-treatment for substance abuse
- Upon medical clearance requiring further evaluation
A Trusted Path to Return Employees to Work
At Examinetics, we treat the return to duty process as a medical and operational decision, not just a formality. Our team partners with your HR and safety leaders to review each case carefully, match evaluations to job requirements, and deliver evidence-based decisions that prioritize safety and compliance.
We help you move from uncertainty to action, with structured oversight, clear documentation, and risk-reducing guidance every step of the way.
Custom Return-to-Duty Testing Includes:
- Phone consultation to review history and care plans
- Physical exams
- Physical ability and ergonomic assessments
- Functional capacity evaluations
- Mental health evaluations
- Drug and alcohol screenings
Program Benefits: Return to Work
Return-to-Duty (RTD) programs offer numerous benefits for both employers and employees following an employee’s absence due to a personal illness, injury, or other qualifying circumstances. A Return-to-Duty program creates a win-win situation: employers benefit from reduced costs and improved productivity, while employees experience financial stability, maintained skills, and a smoother recovery process.
Specifically, a well-designed return to duty process reduces workers’ compensation and staffing costs while supporting faster, safer recovery and stronger employee engagement. It benefits the employer, the recovering employee, co‑workers, and in regulated settings (DOT/FMCSA), also enhances public safety and compliance.
Examinetics can help you:
- Lower direct claim costs and premiums by shortening disability duration, cutting indemnity payments, identifying fraud, and improving experience modification rate (EMR).
- Reduce hiring and training costs by retaining experienced workers instead of replacing them during long absences.
- Increase overall productivity since skilled workers remain in the operation, and light‑duty tasks that were deferred can be completed.
- In safety-sensitive/DOT settings, structured RTD (with SAP oversight and testing) ensures that only rehabilitated and compliant employees return to safety-sensitive duties, thereby protecting both public and organizational safety.
- Improve morale, trust, and safety culture when employees see the company is committed to recovery, job security, and preventing future injuries.
DOT Return to Duty
Examinetics can guide you through the required path to resume work when a CDL driver who falls under DOT rules has a drug or alcohol violation. Our experts will support the DOT return-to-duty testing process and all follow-up requirements.
When the SAP return-to-duty process starts (Substance Abuse Professional), your employee completes education and/or treatment through a licensed substance abuse counselor. When the employee completes the substance abuse program, the next step is to have a negative return to duty drug test to be eligible for the follow-up program. Examinetics has many options for drug and alcohol testing to help maintain compliance with the DOT SAP return to duty process.
Additionally, we have expertise in the clearinghouse return-to-duty process. Specific to drug & alcohol testing and reporting for CDL drivers, we send results and coordinate with the clearinghouse to ensure all the documentation meets the requirements outlined by the counselor. We submit so that the clearinghouse records and employee status are current and up to date. We are your guide for the entire return to duty clearinghouse procedure.
Fit-for-Duty Exams
Make safe & informed decisions when employee capability is in question with Fit for Duty evaluations.
When medical, behavioral, or physical concerns arise on the job, a fitness for duty exam give you the tools to protect your workforce and comply with ADA, OSHA, and internal policies. These evaluations are critical in safety-sensitive roles or situations where performance or behavior has changed.
Fit-for-Duty Assessments Are Ideal:
- After behavioral or performance concerns are observed
- Following a medical condition that could affect job performance
- For safety-sensitive roles with regulatory oversight
- As part of periodic or post-incident assessments
Objective Insight When It Matters Most
Fit-for-Duty examination is about more than evaluating symptoms, it’s about ensuring an employee can safely and effectively perform their role without risk to themselves or others. Examinetics provides third-party, clinically guided evaluations that remove ambiguity and support confident, legally sound decisions.
We collaborate with your safety and HR teams to match evaluation criteria to essential job functions, support ADA compliance, and provide timely, actionable results, so you can address concerns head-on, without delay or uncertainty.
Fit-for-Duty Testing Services Include:
- Fit for Duty physical
- Cognitive and behavioral evaluations
- Substance abuse and return-to-work clearances
- Ergonomic analysis and functional testing
- Clinical consultation and documentation
Program Benefits: Fit for Duty
A Fitness-for-Duty (FFD) program offers several benefits to both employers and employees. It helps ensure a safe and healthy workplace and can help identify health issues early, leading to timely intervention. A fitness for duty policy also reduces liability for employers and aids in compliance with regulations.
Examinetics can help you:
- Reduce Workplace Injuries and Accidents
By assessing an employee’s physical and mental capacity, fit for duty exams can help identify potential risks and prevent accidents or injuries. - Mitigate Liability
Employers can demonstrate due diligence in prioritizing employee safety by conducting fitness for duty evaluations, potentially reducing their liability in the event of workplace accidents. - Ensure Compliance with Regulations
Many industries have specific regulations regarding fitness-for-duty requirements, and proper fit for duty evaluations help employers ensure compliance. - Reduce Costs
By identifying potential risks and addressing them early, fit for duty examinations can help reduce costs associated with employee turnover, injuries, and safety incidents. - Increase Productivity and Morale
A healthy and fit workforce tends to be more productive and efficient, contributing to a positive work environment.
Clarity. Compliance. Confidence
With Examinetics as your Return-to-Duty and Fit-for-Duty partner, you get more than evaluations.
You get a nationwide solution backed by medical expertise, consistent standards, and real-time insights.
The Examinetics Difference
We do more than evaluate; we design, deliver, and manage comprehensive programs customized to your needs.
We help you:
- Tailor programs to your specific job roles, environments, and organizational goals
- Meet ADA, EEOC, OSHA, and industry-specific regulations with confidence
- Ensure compliance across all sites—including union, state, and federal guidelines
- Align evaluation criteria to essential job functions for defensible decisions
We provide:
- National clinic network access & mobile delivery for scalable implementation
- Case-by-case clinical oversight to support consistent, expert-driven outcomes
- Staff training to ensure correct program administration
- Centralized digital platform to track trends, manage results, and reduce admin burden
We don’t just design—we deliver.
Why Examinetics?
- Clinically Guided Evaluations
Physical, mental, and behavioral - HR-Focused Support
Clear documentation, coordination, and communication - Policy & Protocol Alignment
ADA, OSHA, and company-specific standards - Complementary Services
Ergonomics, advocacy, and policy creation - Centralized Results
24/7 access through our secure client portal
Add-On Services:
- Patient Advocacy
Empathetic employee support during the process - HR & Safety Policy Development
Assistance in building clear, compliant protocols - Ergonomics Program
Evaluate risk, improve design, and prevent recurrence
FAQs
Return-to-duty testing is required when a regulated employee has violated a company or federal drug and alcohol policy. Employers must confirm the employee has completed the SAP program and passed a return-to-duty test before they are allowed to resume work.
Yes. Under DOT regulations, return-to-duty drug tests must be directly observed. Employers must work with a qualified provider to meet this requirement and ensure proper protocols are followed throughout the process.
A fitness for duty evaluation is a medical assessment used by employers to determine if an employee is physically and medically capable of performing essential job functions. It is commonly used after medical leave, injury, or behavioral concerns to support safety and compliance.
Most fit for duty exams include a medical history review, a physical exam, and additional evaluations based on job demands. These may include functional capacity testing, physical ability assessments, mental health evaluations, or a fit for duty drug test.
Yes. Employers may require a fitness for duty exam when there is a legitimate business need such as ensuring workplace safety or meeting DOT, OSHA, or ADA compliance requirements. These exams help confirm an employee’s readiness to work safely in their assigned role.