[LanaBanana]

Can someone tell me what is generally involved in a pre-employment physical at hospitals for a CNA? I know there will be drug screening and TB testing. I have fibromyalgia but it is under control and am under regular chiropractic treatment. What would preclude you from employment? My physical is scheduled for Friday and I'm going to go by tomorrow to pick up the history paperwork to have it filled out. Thanks!

[Holly27]

For me it was
TB Test
Drug Screen
Paperwork Basically like the kind you fill out at the doctors office
and fitted for a TB mask.
I thought more would be involved, but that was it.

[LanaBanana]

Originally Posted by Holly27

For me it was
TB Test
Drug Screen
Paperwork Basically like the kind you fill out at the doctors office
and fitted for a TB mask.
I thought more would be involved, but that was it.

That's it? They told me to expect to be there 2-3 hours !

[froggg123]

I had a couple they both did a...
TB test
Blood taken for titers (Rubella and Hep B immunities)
fit tested (for TB mask)
really quick physical by MD or NP (really quick -less then 5 minutes) it was basically walk in a straight line, hold your hands to your side read this eye chart.
drug test
and paperwork, the wait in the waiting room was longer LOL

[rach_nc_03]

Hi LanaBanana! Did you decide on your shoes yet?

As for pre-employment physicals, they're generally pretty rudimentary, but I've heard of a scant few cases where they actually get into assessing one's ability to perform specific job functions- lifting, for example. I took a seminar called "Legal Compliance in Human Resources" last year, and found out that companies sometimes will develop comprehensive screening requirements to avoid potential lawsuits under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Let's say, for example, that I am an amputee with only one hand, and I apply for a job where I'm required to lift and carry heavy objects frequently. By law, the employer can NOT ask a disabled person if he/she can perform certain job functions, unless the applicant volunteers that information. They can ask them to demonstrate *how* they would perform such functions, but only if they require that of EVERY applicant.

My understanding is that this type of system is rare- at this seminar, an HR person from a police department said they used such a process because there had been injuries to some officers because one guy wasn't able to do something and didn't disclose it in his interview.

Probably more info than you wanted, but I thought it was interesting when I learned about it. Basically be prepared to demonstrate you can perform whatever physical functions the job requires- although it's highly unlikely you'll have to do that.

[LanaBanana]

Originally Posted by rach_nc_03

Hi LanaBanana! Did you decide on your shoes yet?

Thanks for the info. Yes, I actually got a pair of MBTs. So far I love them, although I haven't spent any long days in them yet - just wearing them around like they suggest to get used to them.

[catlady]

I went for a pre-employment physical recently and yes, it took two hours. It included testing by a PT to see if I could physically meet the demands of the job, including lifting and carrying 50 pound weights.

I didn't go to work there, although I passed the physical. The place I ended up going just went through a brief questionnaire about my ability to do my job, and reviewed my immunizations/TB testing. Took five minutes.

[MIA-RN1]

Originally Posted by LanaBanana

Can someone tell me what is generally involved in a pre-employment physical at hospitals for a CNA? I know there will be drug screening and TB testing. I have fibromyalgia but it is under control and am under regular chiropractic treatment. What would preclude you from employment? My physical is scheduled for Friday and I'm going to go by tomorrow to pick up the history paperwork to have it filled out. Thanks!

I did NOT disclose my fibromyalgia to either school or my employer. I figure that as long as its under control (it is, I've had it for around 15 years now and I know what to do) they don't need to know.
I don't know specifically for CNA but I know that everywhere is different. For my current job, it was the most bizarre physical ever. I got blood work of course, TB stuff was deferred d/t my hx of conversion/treatment. But then the NP spent all this time talking about anxiety, IBS, and zoloft and how they are connected and she had me do some weird stretching exercises. I have no idea why--stress relief? Anyway, I did end up with a sore neck but it wasn't so bad. That was it. Very very odd.
My exam for a tech job in a different hospital was a total physical, completely normal stuff including romberg testing and cranial nerve testing.
Oh, and both physicals involved being fitted for TB mask as well, which is cool. You put on a TB mask and then a plastic hood and they spray scented stuff into the hood to see if you can smell it.