Are you an employer looking for ways to ensure that your staff members remain safe and healthy while at work? Then you may want to consider pre-employment health screening.
As a business trying to adapt to the ever-changing world, these biometric screenings are paramount if you want your team to be as productive, efficient, and, most importantly – safe. But first, let’s understand the importance of pre-employment health screening.
Importance Of Pre-Employment Health Screening
You may determine the general health of your staff by conducting a health screening with the help of a program that you implement. These examinations are essential in order to:
1. Foster The Health And Well-Being Of Your Staff
Productivity is increased, and overall healthcare expenses are reduced when an organization promotes an environment of health and wellness.
2. Improve Health And Safety Measures
Employees stand to benefit from early detection of dangerous ailments, which also has the potential to stop the transmission of disease.
3. Encourage A Healthy And Risk-Free Return To Work
After suffering an injury, an employee should undergo an occupational health screening to determine whether or not it is safe for the person to return to work.
Types of Pre- Employment Health Screening You Need To Know
We’ll now take a closer look at what is a health screening for employment so that you can make an informed decision when it comes time to hiring someone new.
1. Employment Physicals
Choosing between a DOT or a Non-DOT physical can be an important decision depending on the job you are applying for. A DOT physical is regulated by the US Department of Transportation rather than your employer.
This means that if you’re applying for a job requiring a DOT exam, your medical fitness must meet certain requirements before you can be given authorization to work. These requirements include providing evidence of good health with fewer than certain conditions and an overall working knowledge and understanding of what it means to pass the more rigorous DOT Physical Exam.
2. Antibody Tests
Finding out if a job applicant has antibodies against a disease is a preventative measure for both the individual and the community.
A good result indicates past exposure to the disease or immunity through vaccination. COVID-19, hepatitis A, B, and C, varicella (chicken pox), and measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) titers are all available. If a person has hepatitis B, our Hepatitis B surface antigen test will show positive for a specific protein.
3. Tuberculosis (TB) Testing
Our tuberculosis tests provide the most comprehensive diagnostic solutions available. The Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) skin test can be used to identify recent and long-term exposure to Tuberculosis.
PPD tests can be requested in addition to drug testing panels of 5 or 12 drugs. Furthermore, the Oxford T-SPOT blood test detects active Tuberculosis infection, while chest x-rays are a valuable tool for identifying infected spots in the lungs.
4. Mental Health/Stress Evaluations
Mental Health/Stress Evaluations are an integral part of many employers’ pre-employment occupational health screening packages. These evaluations can provide insight into the overall psychological well-being of potential employees, allowing employers to gain a better understanding of their attitude and dedication.
5. Respiratory Health Exams
Medical personnel and anyone who might come into touch with COVID-19 should get regular respiratory health exams since the advent of the coronavirus. Workers in potentially dangerous industries, such as aircraft production and oil refining, should also prioritize their respiratory health. Exams for respirators, pulmonary function tests, spirometry readings, electrocardiograms, and x-rays are all available at our facilities.
6. Vaccines For Serious Illness
Vaccinations shield new hires from potentially fatal diseases and stop them from spreading them to the rest of the office and customers. Our clinics provide a number of preventative measures, including vaccinations against diseases including hepatitis A and B, tetanus-diphtheria (TDAP), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), and varicella.
7. Drug Screening
Drug screening is an important component of pre-employment health screening for businesses. A company has the right to screen all potential employees and ensure that those entering their workforce are free from any substance use or abuse.
The most popular is urine analysis, which will provide insight into the individual’s recent drug usage. Other options include saliva testing, hair testing, and blood analysis. By utilizing any combination of these tests, employers can ensure any drug use by potential or current employees is caught early and dealt with accordingly.
8. Hearing And Vision Testing
When a worker’s and others’ safety is at stake owing to factors like poor eyesight or color blindness, it’s clear that good eyesight is crucial. Also, it is possible to find out how well a person hears at different frequencies by getting an audiogram done. A hearing loss audiogram can reveal varying degrees of impairment.
9. Urinalysis
Pre-employment health screenings are an important part of the hiring process for all companies. And one of the most common types of health tests conducted is a urinalysis.
This test looks for traces of specific proteins in an employee’s urine, which can help detect underlying health conditions and problems that could otherwise be missed. Not only does this screening help to identify any potential health issues before they become bigger problems, but it also helps companies ensure that they are taking necessary precautions to provide a safe work environment.
10. Biological Observations
Biological observations can be a great help to any company, especially when it comes to the safety of their employees.
Whether it’s drug testing, a physical exam, or immunization history interviews, this comprehensive list of screenings should be in place before any employee begins working. Biological observation also helps ensure occupational safety and guards against the further spreading of contagious illnesses in the workplace.
How Does Peopletrail Conduct Pre-Employment Health Screening?
Peopletrail’s pre-employment health screening provides employers with important information related to the prospective hire’s health status. We work with employers to create a custom package that utilizes data and analytics reports compiled from criminal databases, training modules, work history reports, and more.
Our services are fully compliant with state and federal guidelines. You can learn more about us as we help ensure your company remains safe for everyone involved.
Conclusion
Pre-employment health screenings are an important part of protecting your company and its employees.
By ensuring that all potential employees are screened for any health risks prior to hiring, you can avoid costly medical expenses down the road. We hope this article has been helpful in outlining the different types of pre-employment health screenings that your company can benefit from. Thank you for reading!