The "At Risk" Assessment Protocol
A Systemic Approach to Fitness for Duty Evaluation

Although it is difficult to "predict" violent or hostile behavior, there are methods to determine the "at risk-ability" of an individual. Taking a clinical as well as a consultative approach, COMPASS has developed a procedure that looks at both the individual as well as his/her workplace culture.

In addition, it is designed to utilize questionnaires and psychological tests as an adjunct to a comprehensive, structured interview. This protocol is designed for clinicians from all disciplines wishing to receive training in the administration of the ARAP as a means to assess fitness for duty. For non-psychologists, COMPASS will arrange a consultation relationship to facilitate the receipt of information derived from the psychological tests. The protocol includes:

• The Management Intake Worksheet, designed to gather referral data in a clear and concise manner from supervisory personnel;
• The initial phone contact, focused on allaying anxiety and apprehension on the part of the "evaluatee;"
• The first session, used for completion of questionnaires and psychological test(s);
• The second session, completion of a structured interview utilizing the results of the tests and questionnaires;
• Management consultation- a key to the successful resolution of the situation;
• Report writing strategies- reports should be written with the specific recipient in mind, avoiding clinical labels and interpretation whenever possible;
• and Transitional strategies to help the evaluatee return to the workplace.

COMPASS offers a one day training program which covers:

• Utilization of the COMPASS Personal History Checklist and standardized psychological tests;
• Strategies to gain "evaluatee" compliance;
• Clinical risk factors;
• assessment of management style and workplace toxicity; report writing;
• Management consultation & coaching;
• Post-evaluation defusing of the "evaluatee" confidentiality issues;
• Strategies for transitioning the "evaluatee" to the workplace and the workplace to the "evaluatee"

This program is for experienced clinicians from all disciplines. The prerequisite to this program is "Workplace Hostility: Myth & Reality (one day program). The program is limited to a small group and will utilize group discussion, case review and roleplaying. Each participant will receive a comprehensive "At Risk" Assessment Workbook.

Pre-Employment Screening

As work has become increasingly more demanding, the workplace increasingly more diversified and the concern around personal safety increasingly more pronounced, there is greater focus with respect to how individuals will "fit" within the organizational culture. With greater frequency companies are choosing to do pre-employment screening of potential hires as part of the interviewing/hiring process.

With the advent of standardized psychological and personality screening instruments that utilize computer scoring, psychologist are able to "turn around" information about a potential candidate in a relatively short amount of time. COMPASS works with an organization and will customize the screening instruments in order to provide relevant data to the work organization.

The procedure is standardized and the administration of these instruments may even be done by HR personnel and the results sent to the COMPASS office via fax. Scoring, interpretation and feedback is returned within 48 hours.

Many public safety departments (police and fire) have been doing pre-employment screening for some time as the type of work involved in these professions often place personnel in very stressful situations.

COMPASS has been providing pre-employment screening of public safety candidates for more than fifteen years to the following municipalities: Marlboro, Framingham, Hudson, Hopkinton, Weston, Massachusetts. The protocol used by COMPASS has been approved by the Department of Personnel Administration (DPA).

For more information regarding specific information about methodology, rates, etc. please feel free to contact Dr. Lewis at (800) 649-6228 or by email at glewis@geraldlewis.com.