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Pre -Employment Medical Exam

Laboratory

What Does a Pre-Employment Medical Exam Typically Include?

What Does a Pre-Employment Medical Exam Typically Include?
The specific tests and evaluations can vary significantly depending on the job's requirements, industry regulations, and the employer's policies. However, common components often include:


1.    Medical History Review: The healthcare provider will ask detailed questions about your past illnesses, surgeries, injuries, chronic conditions, current medications (prescription and over-the-counter), allergies, and family medical history. It's important to be honest and thorough.


2.    Physical Examination: This is a general assessment of your overall health and usually includes: 

  • Vital Signs: Measurement of blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature.

  • Height and Weight: To calculate Body Mass Index (BMI).

  • General Appearance: Observation for any unusual bruising, swelling, or other signs of underlying conditions.

  • Systems Review: Listening to your heart and lungs, checking reflexes, assessing range of motion, and examining your abdomen, ears, eyes, nose, throat, neck, skin, and lymph nodes.

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3.    Vision and Hearing Tests: 

  • Vision: Often involves a standard eye chart (Snellen chart) to check visual acuity. Depending on the job, tests for depth perception, color vision, and peripheral vision may also be included.

  • Hearing: An audiometry test may be performed to assess your ability to hear different frequencies, especially for jobs in noisy environments or those requiring good auditory communication.


4.    Drug and Alcohol Screening: This is a very common component. It usually involves a urine or blood sample to test for illegal substances and sometimes alcohol.


5.    Laboratory Tests: 

  • Blood Tests: May include a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP - to check kidney and liver function, blood sugar, etc.), lipid panel (cholesterol), and sometimes tests for infectious diseases (e.g., Hepatitis, HIV) depending on the job.

  • Urinalysis: To screen for kidney or bladder disorders, diabetes, and drug use.


6.    Physical Abilities Assessment (Functional Capacity Exam): For physically demanding roles, this evaluates your ability to perform specific job tasks. It might include: 

  • Lifting and carrying

  • Pushing and pulling

  • Bending, stooping, squatting

  • Standing or sitting for prolonged periods

  • Grip strength

  • Balance and coordination


7.    Immunization Status/Titers: Especially in healthcare settings, employers may require proof of immunity to certain infectious diseases (e.g., measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, hepatitis B) or require specific vaccinations.


8.    Tuberculosis (TB) Testing: A skin test (PPD) or blood test (e.g., Quantiferon-TB Gold) may be required.


9.    Specialized Tests (Job-Specific): 

  • Pulmonary Function Tests (PFTs): To assess lung capacity and function, often required for jobs involving respirators or exposure to dust/fumes.

  • EKG (Electrocardiogram) or Cardiac Stress Test: For jobs with significant physical demands or certain safety-critical roles.

  • X-rays: In some cases, a chest X-ray might be ordered.

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