Pre-Employment Medicals
Pre-employment medicals are often very important for businesses and employees alike. Why?
Healthy workers = healthy organisations = healthy business performance
Evidence shows that investing in the health and safety of your employees can boost the health of your business. Building a team of healthy employees in a safe working environment can have a positive long-term impact on organisational success.
A pre-employment medical assessment screens individuals for factors that may limit their ability to safely perform their jobs and avoid injury. It is, therefore, often best for the employee and best for the business if pre-employment medicals are undertaken. It is a small investment that can minimise the risk of someone undertaking work when they are not fit to perform it. Further, a pre-employment medical examination can determine whether a prospective employee is capable of effectively performing specific tasks.
Many SmartClinics Medical Centres offer businesses a comprehensive health service that includes pre-employment medicals, injury management and managed rehabilitation, as well as back-to-work assessments for staff.
What does a pre-employment medical include?
All of the SmartClinics pre-employment medical examinations will generally include the following tests or assessments:
- Cardiovascular, central nervous system, respiratory and musculoskeletal examinations
- Body mass index (BMI)
- Urine analysis to diagnose any diabetic, kidney or bladder disorders
- Vision assessment, including colour blindness
In addition to the above standard inclusions, medical professionals conducting pre-employment medicals will often collect basic patient data. This includes height, weight, blood pressure and a general assessment of medical history to identify any risks to the patient’s health or their ability to perform the specified job.
Musculoskeletal Assessments
Musculoskeletal assessments are an essential part of all pre-medical examinations. The musculoskeletal assessment involves assessing the overall function and level of capability of a person’s musculoskeletal system. This generally includes their capacity for weight-bearing, lifting, range of movement and overall physical health. An examination of any pre-existing injuries may also be conducted to ensure they don’t affect job performance. The purpose of the musculoskeletal assessment is to provide the employer with a clear idea of the prospective employee’s capabilities and risk of injury on the job.
Musculoskeletal assessments are usually conducted by a physiotherapist or occupational therapist. We work with a number of allied health professionals who we can strongly recommend to conduct these assessments as part of pre-employment medical assessments.
Pre-Employment Medicals: Additional Options
In addition to the standard inclusions in a pre-employment medical, many of our clients choose to include additional tests and assessments in their pre-employment medical procedures. These tests are often conducted due to specific legal requirements or because the role that employees are being screened for involves tasks that need a certain level of capability to perform. Some of the additional options that can be included during a pre-employment medical exam include:
- Drug and Alcohol
- Audiometry
- Spirometry
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Vaccinations
- Pathology & X-ray
Drug and Alcohol Testing
Drug and alcohol tests are among the most commonly requested additions to our pre-employment medical screenings. These tests are usually conducted via a urine sample. Most employers request these to comply with legislation surrounding the standards for employees who are operating machinery or carrying out specific tasks in their jobs that require being sober.
Spirometry
Spirometry is often included in pre-employment medicals as a means of assessing the overall respiratory function and capacity of potential employees. A spirometry test is conducted using a spirometer, a machine that can provide a very accurate assessment of lung function. The test is straightforward, involving breathing into a mouthpiece at specific intervals. It should take about 15 minutes and may help identify any additional medical concerns, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Audiometry
Audiometry tests are an assessment of hearing capability. How an audiometry test is conducted will vary depending on the exam’s requirements. They can be conducted using dedicated equipment (such as a quiet room) or with simple tools such as tuning forks. Generally speaking, audiometry tests will involve measuring an individual’s ability to hear sounds at varying intensity and tone.
Electrocardiogram
An electrocardiogram (ECG) measures electrical activity in the heart. An ECG is usually conducted to determine whether a person’s heart is functioning correctly, or whether some abnormalities may be present. Employers request ECGs for a number of reasons, usually to determine that a person’s cardiac health is sufficient for the job duties they will be required to perform.
Get in Touch
If you would like to speak with us about pre-employment medicals or any of the services above, please contact your local SmartClinics Family Medical Centre and our friendly reception team will be happy to assist you.
Doctors Offering Pre-Employment Medicals
