Occupational health is a medical subspecialty that deals with maintaining the health and safety of workers. This covers everything from injury treatment and prevention to workspace ergonomics to the elimination of hazards to mental and physical well-being, so it benefits both employee and employer.
The approach to occupational health is both proactive and reactive, helping to keep people on the job and workplaces fully functional and safe. Let’s talk about how occupational health works, and where you can go in King for a DOT physical and a pre-employment drug test.
What Kinds of Injuries and Conditions Are Treated in Occupational Health?
Occupational health providers deal with a wide range of acute and chronic health conditions which happen on the job or are related to conditions in the workplace. Common workplace problems include:
- Slip-and-fall injuries
- Crush injuries
- Car accidents or accidents with moving machinery
- Lacerations (cuts)
- Bruises
- Repetitive-motion injuries, including carpal tunnel syndrome (in the wrist/hand)
- Lower-back pain
- Strains (stretching or tearing of a tendon or muscle)
- Sprains(stretching or tearing of a ligament)
- Fractures
- Burns and other heat-related injuries
- Hearing injury
- Vision injury
- Anxiety and stress-related issues
How Are Occupational Health Problems Assessed and Treated?
To diagnose and treat occupational health issues, your provider may utilize one or more of the following:
- Conducting full physical examinations, including DOT (Department of Transportation) physicals and workers’ compensation assessments and claims
- Digital X-rays
- EKG
- Blood work and urine tests, including pre-employment, random, and post-accident drug testing
- Rapid tests for COVID-19 infection, strep throat, mono, etc.
- Vaccines to prevent shingles, rubella, hepatitis B, etc.
Where Can Employees Go for Employment Assessments and Treatment?
A medical clinic that offers occupational health services understands the workers’ compensation process, and the medical staff can help determine whether a person is healthy enough to return to work after an injury. The clinic’s staff should also be able to help you complete a workers’ compensation claim.
A medical center that offers occupational health services will strive to help to:
- Reduce employee absenteeism
- Recommend how employers can avoid liabilities
- Suggest ways to work safely and efficiently, sometimes by modifying job tasks if necessary
Occupational health standards and practices help keep people on the job, keep employers compliant with laws and regulations, and reduce the incidence of injury, stress, and even death related to job conditions.
DOT Physicals and Pre-Employment Drug Testing in King, NC
Here at Cardinal Urgent Care, our professional medical team is headed by Dr. Samir Patel, a board-certified emergency medicine physician. We are dedicated to bringing accessible medical care to patients of all ages in the Triad area, and we also care for the needs of the valuable workers of our community.
If you’re in need of occupational medical services, we are available seven days a week. Feel free to call ahead to notify us of your pending arrival at (336) 983-9111.
You may request an appointment to schedule a physical exam or diagnostic test, or simply walk in anytime during our extended business hours. We look forward to serving you and your family!
