Why It's More Important Than Ever to Conduct a Pre-Employment Medical Check
It is said that any organisation is only as strong as its best employees. This puts a considerable amount of pressure on those responsible for recruiting staff, as a bad decision could have significant repercussions for the business going forward. Consequently, it's even more important than ever to put any potential employee through a medical health check before confirming their position and if this is not something that you have done before, why should you consider it now?
What You Need to Look At
It doesn't matter whether a particular position can be classified as "manual" or sedentary, the fact remains that any employee needs to be free from certain conditions if they are going to be able to do that job properly. As the employer, you need to determine that they can perform all their tasks efficiently and safely, so that the risk of injury to themselves or others is minimised. In more challenging or executive positions, you need to ensure that the employee is able to perform at high levels, with stress an important consideration.
Standard Approach
You will be able to structure a medical test that is specific to the type of job or the needs of your own organisation. Typically, however, standard medical checks include a comprehensive questionnaire that can alert the doctor to the presence of other issues, before specific tests begin. Usually, a full cardiovascular exam will include blood pressure and heart health checks, while the weight, height and body mass index will be recorded. The doctor will give their opinion on the musculoskeletal efficiency and will usually check the respiratory system, reflexes and skin condition.
Other Checks
You may request that a full drug testing scan is performed for certain positions, especially if there is any previous history associated with the candidate. You may also need to check their vision and/or hearing, depending on what tasks they need to perform within their typical job function.
Covering Your Responsibilities
Remember, many positions involve interaction with the public and it's vital for your organisation to ensure that any employees are fully capable of doing so, while in turn presenting no health risks to others. This may be something that government regulations may mandate, or your insurance company may require you to be extra careful during the hiring process. As such, you should get in touch with your local medical centre to see how they can help you to set up a screening procedure that covers all risks and eventualities.