Work Physical

What is a work physical?

A work physical is a medical exam required by your employer. The primary goal is to be sure you can safely carry out your job duties without putting yourself or others at risk of injury. However, you might need to schedule a work physical for one or more of several reasons.

Your employer could request a physical as part of your pre-employment assessment or as a regular evaluation throughout your employment.

You might need a DOT (Department of Transportation) physical to get or renew a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Your employer can require a work physical to comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations.

What should I expect during a work physical?

Your work physical is similar to an annual checkup but focuses on health concerns relevant to your job.

Your Cermak Immediate Care provider will do the following:

• Review your personal medical history
• Review your family’s health history
• Learn about the medications you’re taking
• Check vital signs (blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature)
• Complete a physical exam (checking heart, lungs, abdomen, eyes, ears, nose, throat, and skin)
• Complete a neurological exam (brain and muscle function, balance, and reflexes)
• Run blood and urine tests (complete blood count [CBC], kidney and liver function tests, and others)
• Assess fitness and function (strength, flexibility, endurance, and mobility)
• Verify immunizations and vaccinations (and give you shots if you’re not up to date)
• Perform substance abuse screening
• Do other job-specific evaluations (lung capacity, functional movement assessment, ergonomic assessments, and others)

Your provider can do many other assessments, depending on the demands of your job. For example, they could check vision and hearing or assess for movement disorders, sleep apnea, and other issues.

What happens after a work physical?

Your Cermak Immediate Care provider discusses your exam results. They might not have a complete evaluation at that point if they’re running lab tests. However, with their on-site lab, your results won’t take long.

If your provider discovers any health problems that could affect your employment, they will discuss them with you. They also recommend treatments for dealing with the issue and preparing you to meet your job requirements.

If you pass the work physical, your provider completes the medical clearance certificate for your employer.

Do you need a work physical or have questions about what to expect? The experienced Cermak Immediate Care team is here to help. Call the nearest office or request an appointment online. They also welcome walk-ins.