Pre-Employment Physicals Questions and Answers

Express Healthcare offers pre-employment physicals. Make sure your employees can safely start or return to work. For more information, call us or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients from College Park MD, New Carrollton MD, Falls Church VA, Lakeland MD, Hollywood MD, Old Town MD, Acredale MD, and Riverdale Gardens MD.

Pre-Employment Physicals Near Me in College Park MD, New Carrollton MD, Falls Church VA, and Tyson Corner Vienna VA
Pre-Employment Physicals Near Me in College Park MD, New Carrollton MD, Falls Church VA, and Tyson Corner Vienna VA

As part of the application process or when returning to work after an illness or injury, pre-employment physicals ensure that prospective employees are in good health before committing to workplace duties. These are often performed to reduce sick days in the workplace, cutting back on healthcare costs. They test for common conditions that often result in missed work, such as musculoskeletal diseases.

What is included in a pre-employment physical exam?

There are many different types of pre-employment exams, including:

  • Drug and alcohol screening: These are common tests used to detect the presence of illicit substances or signs of substance abuse.
  • Physical ability exam: This may be performed for workers in manual labor or other physically demanding jobs.
  • Psychological exam: Psychological evaluations may be performed in high-stress jobs, to ensure prospective employees are able to handle the pressure.
  • Strength testing: This test is often performed for those whose work involves lifting heavy objects or repeatedly moving items.
  • Stamina testing: For jobs that require sustained activity for long periods, stamina tests may be used.
  • Endurance testing: If a job requires physical capabilities to be sustained for extended periods, endurance testing will likely be performed.
  • Heart health exam: As complications can arise, some jobs require workers to have good heart health and be free of conditions such as high blood pressure and heart problems.
  • Mental endurance testing: Employers must be sure that their employees have the mental capacity to perform their duties.

How long do pre-employment physicals take?

Although there are many different types of pre-employment physicals, on average it typically takes 45 minutes to an hour to complete. If several tests need to be performed, the physical can take much longer. If lab work is being performed, sometimes it can take hours or even days to receive results. Additionally, if lab tests are ordered, the physical can take longer than average. In cases that require thorough evaluation with multiple different tests, it may even be required to come in for more than one evaluation, although this is not very common. For an accurate estimation on how long your pre-employment physical will take, ask your examiner what tests are being performed and how long they usually take.

What is done during a physical exam?

During a pre-employment physical, the examiner will test the applicant's height, weight, vital signs, pulse and blood pressure. They may also perform a vision test or hearing exam. Employers are permitted to set fitness and health requirements for a job, and these requirements must be met before the hiring process can be completed. Common jobs that have specific health requirements include: law enforcement, firefighters, construction workers, factory workers and shipping departments. Common test factors include:

  • Stamina, strength and flexibility
  • Ability to lift a certain amount of weight
  • Muscular tension, endurance, and cardiovascular health
  • Balance and mental fortitude while performing physical labor

If your employees require a health screening before starting or returning to work, come to Express Healthcare for a pre-employment physical today. Our kind and compassionate professionals are experienced in performing pre-employment physicals and can help to make sure that everyone in the workplace is in good health. For more information on our pre-employment physicals, call our office and get in touch with a member of our specialist team. To book an appointment for a pre-employment physical, visit our website or speak with us over the phone today.

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