Medical Evaluation Services

Physical Exams for Employment

The performance of physical exams as related to employment provide an important role in assuring fitness for duty, and in the management of workers’ compensation and disability claims. Occupational Health Services provides physical examination services to meet this need and in addition, we feature several examination protocols for workers in specialty occupations.

A Physical Examination Should Help Answer the Following Questions:

• What is the baseline condition of the employee prior to employment?
• Is the employee or candidate physically / functionally capable of performing the duties of the job?
• Are there any medical or physical conditions which require accommodation by the employer?
• Are there any conditions which disqualify the employee from performing their job due to a law or regulation?
• Is there any prior history of pre-existing injuries, workers’ compensation claims on record?
• On a periodic basis as may be required, does the employee continue to be medically qualified to perform their job?
• On a periodic basis, has the employee’s medical status changed as a result of working in a hazardous environment?

Examples of Baseline Physical Exam Components

• Complete Medical History (past, present, occupational history)
• Vision and hearing screening
• Vital signs
• Skin: assess for scars, prior surgeries, etc.
• Examination of major organ systems: heart, lungs, blood vessels, abdominal exam, etc.
• Muscular/joint function-strength, motion, balance, reflexes

Specific Occupations May Require Additional Testing

Commercial Drivers License Medical Exams

CDL Exams follow a specific protocol as defined by the Federal Department of Transportation. Most states have adopted Federal guidelines as well. Operators of trucks, heavy construction equipment, school buses, patient transport vans, and others are generally required to undergo the CDL Medical Exam in order to receive their actual Commercial Drivers License.

Healthcare/Public Service/EMS/Child Daycare Employees

These employees have direct physical contact with clients or with the public during the course of their duties. As such, these employees are at high risk for both transmitting as well as being exposed to a number of infections.

The following are generally included in screening:

• Tuberculosis Screening
• Hepatitis-B Screening and Vaccination

Food Handlers

With today’s concern over foodborne illness, it is essential to screen food handling employees for evidence of infections which might be transmitted to patrons and co-workers. The most common screens include the following:

• Stool cultures (salmonella, e-coli, and other intestinal organisims, etc.)
• Stool Parasites (organisms, larvae, eggs, etc.)
• Hepatitis-A

Respirator Wearers’ Medical Exams

Many occupations require the use of a respirator as personal protective equipment. Firefighters, painters, demolition employees, and others are required to wear respirators during the course of their jobs. Their jobs may be strenuous and involve other environmental factors, such as heat, cold, and confined space. As a result, the wearing of a respirator requires an exam that the wearer is medically fit to do so. In addition to a baseline physical, the following may also be required:

• Chest x-ray
• Spirometry (Pulmonary Function Test)
• Electrocardiogram
• Lab Tests

For more information about Occupational Health Services, call 561-263-5787.