Job candidates may be required to undergo a variety of physical examinations and drug screenings to qualify for employment or retain a license. Westcare Clinics provides pre-employment physicals, DOT and CDL physical examinations, and pre-employment drug screenings. Patients may also be treated at the clinic for work-related injuries.
Pre-Employment Physical Examinations
Job candidates may be asked to pass a physical exam, either before an employer extends a job offer or during the interview process. Depending on the type of exam, the nature of the job, and other factors, prospective employers may have legal grounds to ask candidates to undergo a physical exam.
Pre-employment physical exams may test:
- Drug and alcohol use
- Physical ability
- Psychological health
- Physical strength
- Stamina
- Endurance
- Heart health
- Mental endurance under physical strain
Professions that may require job candidates to undergo physical examinations include:
- Police officers
- Firefighters
- Commercial and professional drivers
- Government employees
Westcare Clinics has a team of healthcare professionals qualified to perform a variety of pre-employment physical examinations.
DOT and CDL Physical Examinations
A Department of Transportation (DOT) examination includes the following components:
- Hearing test. The doctor will test the individual’s ability to hear varying levels of sound.
- Vision test. The individual will be tested to see if they have at least 20/40 vision in both eyes. If the individual wears prescription glasses, they will be tested while wearing them. The doctor may also test for color blindness with or without prescribed lenses.
- Urinalysis. The individual will provide a urine sample that will be tested for any irregularities or medical conditions that may hinder their ability to perform job duties.
- Blood pressure and pulse rate. This test will help determine if the individual is able to sit for many hours behind the wheel and if they have any heart health issues.
- Physical exam. The doctor will check the individual’s weight, lungs, mouth, throat, vascular system, varicose veins, skeletal system, neurological system, and history of vaccinations.
Pre-Employment Drug Screenings
Employers require drug tests for a variety of reasons, such as decreasing absenteeism and on-the-job accidents, increasing productivity, and reducing liability for the company.
Job candidates may be asked to take a variety of drug tests, such as urine drug screening, saliva drug screening, sweat drug screening, and hair, drug, or alcohol testing.
Employers may have legal grounds to require a drug test if:
- Workers’ jobs carry a high risk of injury to themselves or others
- Workers have been involved in an accident that suggests the possibility of drug use
- Workers are currently in or recently completed a rehabilitation program
- A worker’s manager or supervisor suspects them to be using drugs (based on signs of impairment, such as slurred speech or glassy eyes)
Treatment For Work-Related Injuries
Injured workers may receive soft tissue treatment that may include epidural injections (interlaminar and transforaminal), piriformis injection, sacroiliac joint injections, and trigger point injections. The goal of injections is to address tissue damage, ease pain, and support overall recovery. The type of injection the patient needs will depend on the location of the injury and its severity.
