Landing a new job is an amazing feeling, but learning that a pre-employment physical is required isn’t always as exciting. You might not like the idea of being in a waiting room with strangers who are coughing and feverish, especially when you’re about to start orientation and haven’t yet earned any sick days. How can you ensure you get the required pre-employment physical without it taking too long? Premium Urgent Care weighs in.
What Are Pre-Employment Physicals and Why Are They Required?
Pre-employment health exams are required for certain jobs to prove you’re physically and/or mentally capable of performing the necessary tasks. For example, an air traffic controller needs to be calm under pressure, have excellent vision and hearing, pass a drug screening, and have no history of heart disease.
Employers need to ensure they hire individuals who are physically and mentally able to handle the required work. You wouldn’t want a pilot with a history of fainting due to a condition like POTS, or a truck driver who is legally blind. This is the fundamental reason why pre-employment physicals are a requirement in many fields.
Legally, however, you cannot be asked to complete a physical before receiving a job offer. A conditional job offer must be in place before you undergo this medical exam. This is an ADA regulation that protects against discrimination. If an employer requires a pre-employment health screening, it must be a standard requirement for all new hires in that specific role. Furthermore, all health information collected during a pre-employment medical exam must be kept private following HIPAA rules.
A Step-by-Step Look at What Happens During Your Appointment
Knowing what to expect can make appointments feel faster because you’ll be more prepared. Here’s a quick guide to the typical steps involved in a work physical:
- Check Your Vital Signs
Before you see the doctor, a nurse will likely record your height, weight, pulse, and blood pressure. This allows the doctor to review these time-consuming checks immediately upon entering the examination room.
- Go Over Your Medical History
Be prepared to answer questions about your family’s health history, including any conditions like high blood pressure or depression that have affected multiple generations. Additionally, be ready to discuss your own medical history, including any medications you take, childhood and adult illnesses, and chronic health conditions.
- Undergo the Physical Examination
The physical exam is the next step. Your doctor will listen to your heart and lungs, check your eyes, nose, throat, and ears, and examine your skin for any unusual rashes or moles. The examination may also include checking your abdomen and reflexes.
Following this, your hearing and vision will be checked to ensure they meet the requirements for your job duties. For instance, a commercial truck driver must pass a specific vision exam to obtain a CDL.
If your job involves tasks like climbing in and out of sewers, you’ll need to demonstrate the necessary muscle mass and core strength to safely ascend and descend a ladder and handle tasks like removing manhole covers. Fitness tests might be required to verify your ability to meet the physical demands of the job.
- Updated Immunizations
The recommended schedule for boosters and vaccinations may have changed since your last doctor’s visit. For example, the shingles and pneumonia vaccines are generally recommended for adults 50 and older, while Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are recommended for many age groups.
If you haven’t had a tetanus shot in the past 10 years, you will likely need one. Your doctor will review your vaccination history and recommend any necessary updates, administering those required for your specific job.
- Collect Blood and Urine Samples
Blood and urine samples will be collected and sent to a laboratory for analysis. If your new job is in healthcare, you might be tested for less common diseases like tuberculosis. A urine drug test is also a common requirement after a job offer has been made.
Before You Go: Tips That Save You Time
How can you ensure your pre-employment health screening is smooth and efficient? Here are several things you can do to prepare and speed up the process:
1. Have Your Health History Ready to Share
Your health history is a crucial part of your pre-employment physical. Gather as much relevant information as possible. Be prepared to discuss any illnesses and chronic conditions that run in your family. If you have a history of depression or anxiety, it’s important to share this information. Similarly, if you have diabetes and require insulin, this is a vital part of your health history.
Bring your vaccination records with you if you have them. While most doctors can access this information in databases, it isn’t always complete. If you received a flu shot or COVID booster at a pharmacy that didn’t share the information with your primary doctor, you can provide it.
2. Take Photos or Write Down Info on Any Prescriptions You Take
If you take any prescription medications, take a clear photo of the bottle, ensuring the name of the drug and dosage are visible. If taking a photo isn’t possible, write down this information. The doctor needs to know what medications you are taking and the reasons for them.
3. Dress for the Exam
Save time by choosing appropriate attire for your appointment. Wear clothing that is easy to take off and put back on. Opt for a pullover instead of a dress shirt with numerous small buttons. You will likely need to change into a hospital gown, so easily removable clothing will simplify this process.
You will also need to remove your shoes before being weighed. Choose shoes that are easy to slip off. Boots that require significant effort to remove are not ideal.
4. Drink Enough Water Before You Arrive
If a urine test is required, ensure you are adequately hydrated to provide a sample. If you haven’t had anything to drink throughout the day, dehydration can make it difficult to produce a sample. Aim to drink a glass of water about an hour before your exam.
5. Fill Out Forms in Advance
Save time at the registration desk by checking the medical office’s website for any paperwork you can print and complete beforehand. Have these forms filled out and ready to hand to the registration team upon your arrival. Double-check your insurance information and be prepared to present your card. Premium Urgent Care conveniently offers online forms that you can print and bring with you.
6. Check In Online
Finally, Premium Urgent Care offers a significant time-saving option for your pre-employment medical exam: online check-in. By checking in online, you’ll already be on the patient list when you arrive.
Our goal is to get you in to see a doctor as quickly as possible so you can complete your physical and return to your day. While we cannot prevent emergency cases from being prioritized, online check-in ensures you are on the list before you even step through our doors. Take advantage of our “Online Check In” feature before you leave your home.