Problems in the use of transferable skill analysis software are worthy of discussion. "Garbage in-garbage out" impacts everyone who relies upon the analysis. A failure to correctly code a work history to DOT titles, or to ignore physical restrictions, can lead to erroneous transferable skill job listings.
Should we utilize an FCE or rely on the one or two sentences a busy orthopedic dictates in a report? Should we at least identify which opinion is being relied upon? Some might run a study based on a range of opinions.
Other problems may include:
1. Inadequately trained counselors using a transferable skills analysis done by someone else. The software is complex and has a learning curve which takes time to master. Larger companies may have one trained employee conducting the analysis and pass this along to a novice field counselor.
2. Assumptions used in running a TSA are not articulated in a report, making replication impossible.
3. Testing in vocational assessment is less frequently done. When performed it can serve as a check on the TSA process and allow for justified profile adjustments.
4. Some reports, represented as a TSA, are unfair to the injured worker. One example would be a construction laborer, coded for an "average range clerical aptitude" without justification (such as testing result). Most construction laborers have a "below average clerical aptitude". Another misuse can occur by upgrading verbal skills (reading, speaking, writing) without justification.
Both coding adjustments can result in misrepresenting post injury employability and identifying jobs which are not reasonable. This can result in a prolonged and likely unsuccessful job search.
There can be justifications for upgrading a transferable skill profile beyond that generated by a work history, but it seems incumbent on the vocational counselor to lay out the assumptions made in the report.
Few TSA reports show the methodology used. Many just provide a list of jobs. Current ethical codes do not directly offer guidelines for use.
I wonder what other forensic vocational counselors have seen and think about this.
------------------------------
Michael Mooney
Director
Return To Work, Inc.847-392-3325
Diplomate-American Board of Vocational Experts-Emeritus
------------------------------