Pre-employment physical

BBP42 · Nov 12, 2017

Never had that include anything so intimate. The last one I had, at an occupational health chain, asked basic medical history questions, I had to lift a weight equal to the listed requirement of the job I was applying for, walk a treadmill for 10 minutes and have vitals taken. They did a drug test at the same time, which is probably why they want the meds, because if you test positive for anything controlled they want to see the label from the prescription that matches it.

roser13, ASN, RN · Nov 13, 2017

There's nothing "strange" about an employment physical requesting your medications. If any issues were ever to arise during your employment regarding prescription drug use, it is in your best interests to have a baseline prescribed drug list on your chart.

KRVRN, BSN, RN · Nov 13, 2017

It's very basic. Are you basically able to see, hear, walk, stand, use your hands and arms in full ROM, etc. They might check if you're color blind. If you can't do any of those they might explore what accomodations you'll need. They'll probably drug test you which is why they want to know your medications.

Sour Lemon · Nov 13, 2017

Never had that include anything so intimate. The last one I had, at an occupational health chain, asked basic medical history questions, I had to lift a weight equal to the listed requirement of the job I was applying for, walk a treadmill for 10 minutes and have vitals taken. They did a drug test at the same time, which is probably why they want the meds, because if you test positive for anything controlled they want to see the label from the prescription that matches it.

Most of mine were very basic, but one was similar to what's described above. I had to push and pull weights, walk up and down stairs, carry a heavy box, squeeze some things that measured my grip, etc. I've never had to get naked, though. That would be ...odd.

barnchic422 · Nov 13, 2017

Thanks for the help everyone... Here's to hoping lol

MunoRN, RN · Nov 13, 2017

It's generally pretty basic. An independent testing facility may ask for proof of prescribed medications, although as a direct care nurse your employer is also allowed to ask what medications you take, so long as they are asking after the initial job offer.

BBP42 · Nov 13, 2017

I do not believe the medication list is passed on to the employer. The paperwork that went to my employer did not contain any private medical information, just basically: physical "pass" PPD "0 mm" and drug screen "negative". I was not taking any medications that affect drug screening, but I have read elsewhere that if you test positive for something, and have a prescription for said drug that the result was considered negative and that is all the employer would see. However, I have no personal knowledge that this is true.

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Nov 14, 2017

I only ever had them when I worked in hospitals (once as an aide during school and once as an RN) and they involved basic past medical history, vaccine titers, PPDs, and raising my arms above my head/bending over. There is literally 0 reason for a pre-employment physical to involve a pap and I would very seriously question an employer who required one...