Pre-Employment Physicals

A pre-employment physical is a type of exam used to determine if you’re physically fit enough to perform certain on-the-job tasks and responsibilities.

In the United States, it’s against the law for an employer to require a medical exam before extending a job offer. However, employers can ask prospective employees to take a medical exam as long as all applicants must follow the same rules.

Many jobs require physical fitness as a prerequisite. For example, if you want to work as a firefighter or police officer, you must be able to carry equipment and work in physically demanding situations and environments.

A pre-employment physical features two separate components: drug and alcohol tests and physical ability tests.

First, Dr. Hamid draws a sample of your blood or asks you to provide urine for drug testing. Different employers test for different substances, but research suggests pre-employment drug testing decreases absenteeism, improves productivity, and prevents on-the-job accidents.

After completing your drug screening, Dr. Hamid conducts a series of physical ability tests. The type of tests Dr. Hamid recommends will depend on the type of position you’re applying for. Some common physical ability tests include cardiovascular fitness, balance, and mental fortitude.

If you have a chronic condition like hypertension, diabetes, or kidney disease, make sure to share this information with Dr. Hamid prior to the start of your pre-employment physical.

These conditions won’t necessarily disqualify you from getting a job, but they can worry potential employers. Dr. Hamid can work with you and make recommendations that improve your overall health and well-being.

Some pre-employment physicals require men and women to undergo additional screenings like sleep studies. For example, if you’re a commercial truck driver, your employer might want to know if you suffer from sleep apnea.

Dr. Hamid doesn’t do sleep studies at his office, but he can refer you to a sleep expert or other medical specialists in the area if necessary.

If you’ve been offered a new position but need a pre-employment physical to more forward, make an appointment at FH Medical Care today. Simply call the office or request an appointment online.