Firefighters, police officers, healthcare workers, and other positions that are highly intensive often require a pre-employment physical exam. The results of an exam can reveal whether a candidate is physically and mentally capable of the tasks required on a job. Before your appointment, there are several things you should know.

Some physically demanding jobs may require a pre-employment physical exam. To determine if a potential new worker is healthy, employers can make it mandatory for them to receive a medical evaluation. An exam’s results will ensure that someone is capable of the tasks that a job entails. Just like an interview reveals a candidate’s personality and skillset, a physical is important as it will reveal their ability to carry out certain responsibilities.

Physicals tend to be required for firefighters, police officers, construction workers, truck drivers, healthcare workers, and other highly intensive positions, as stamina plays a key part in each. However, there are some things you should know before scheduling a pre-employment physical.

Disabilities

Candidates should know that an employer can only mandate a pre-employment exam if a job offer has been made. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), an employer cannot require that you disclose a disability before being hired. Although you should be honest throughout the hiring process regarding if you believe you are capable of the responsibilities that a position entails, you do not have to communicate any medically diagnosed learning, physical, or mental disadvantages.

For that reason, a pre-employment physical cannot be used by a potential employer to determine if a candidate has disabilities that conflict with the duties they’re expected to perform on a job. When an employer discriminates against a candidate based on a disability, there are a number of legal routes the candidate can take in response. While there is still the possibility that you can fail certain aspects of a physical exam, there are a few ways you can prepare beforehand.

 

Preparation

Although you won’t be able to completely alter your diet and compensate for a lack of exercise in the time leading up to an exam, some preparation is suggested. A physical will involve a drug test, which will reveal whether you have recently been under the influence of any substances.

Regardless of whether marijuana is legal where you live, it’s recommended to abstain before your appointment. According to Medical News Today, detection times of cannabis, other drugs, and alcohol can vary based on the frequency with which they are used. Marijuana can be found in urine tests anywhere from two days after usage, to more than a month, depending on whether you smoke once a week, or multiple times throughout the day. Alcohol tends to be detectable within a 12-hour timeframe.

The Exam

Pre-employment physicals evaluate respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and neurological health, lymph nodes, and more. An exam will test your vision and hearing. It will check your height and weight, along with vital signs including blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature. This allows an employer to know the baseline status of a potential employee’s health. An examiner will evaluate organs, such as the liver, bowels, heart, and lungs.

During the physical, you will be asked about any medication you are currently taking, past surgeries or other operations, vaccination status, allergies, and family medical history. This includes COVID-19 vaccination status, which many employers are still requiring for workers. Paperwork from an employer might also be relevant to submit, along with your driver’s license or another valid form of identification.

As a part of the physical examination process, you will be evaluated based on your mental health. The psychological component of a physical can be particularly relevant for high-stress work atmospheres, like those experienced by firefighters, police officers, healthcare workers, or others. Lifestyle choices including diet and exercise, as well as family medical history, can still play a part in this aspect of a pre-employment physical.

A physical will adhere to standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), as outlined by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). This pertains to privacy, security, and the breach notification rule, which are components of a candidate’s medical confidentiality.

 

Failing Results

It can be in both your and an employer’s best interest to determine before a job begins whether you are physically capable of the tasks at hand. It might protect you depending on your health, and it might protect them as a means of finding the right candidate.

Failing physical results can be due to a failed drug test, hearing or vision issues, or another medical issue that has been diagnosed. While you might be determined as generally healthy, an employer can have specific criteria that you do not meet.

In this case, an employer is legally able to rescind the original job offer, while providing evidence that you cannot carry out expected tasks, due to either health or safety reasons. They can also take this action if they are unable to support or accommodate any health issues you might have.

Even if certain things might end up being outside your control, it can be helpful to feel prepared ahead of a medical exam. When applying for highly intensive positions, it is most beneficial to be aware of the legal limitations an employer must abide by.

Top Takeaways

What jobs require a pre-employment physical and what should you know about them?

  • Pre-employment physicals cannot be required unless a job offer is made
  • Pre-employment physicals cannot be used by an employer to discriminate against a potential worker due to a disability
  • Doctors will likely conduct a drug test and evaluate organ health, allergies, vaccination status, family medical history, and more
  • An employer can legally rescind a job offer if they believe you are unable to carry out relevant responsibilities due to health or safety reasons