Getting hired isn’t just about your resume. Companies want to know you can actually do the job. That’s why they send you for a pre-employment physical. It’s a straightforward check: are you healthy enough, strong enough, and safe enough to work? Show up ready, and you’ll get through it without surprises.

What Happens at the Exam

Pre-employment physicals don’t leave much to chance. The process covers every angle that matters for workplace safety and performance. Here’s what you’ll face:

• Medical history review: past injuries, chronic conditions, and current medications
• Vital signs: blood pressure, heart rate, temperature
• Vision check: distance and near vision, sometimes color vision
• Hearing test: clarity and range
• Mobility and strength: lifting, bending, reaching, grip strength
• Drug screening: urine, and sometimes blood or hair
• TB testing: required for some jobs
• Immunization record check: proof of vaccines for workplace safety

Every step follows a strict protocol. Professional physical exams don’t cut corners. The examiner checks, records, and verifies. No guessing. No shortcuts. When you choose our pre-employment physicals, you can expect a process that’s thorough and efficient, designed to meet employer requirements and keep candidates moving forward.

Why Medical History Matters

Past injuries and ongoing treatments don’t stay hidden. The examiner asks, and you answer. Bring a full list of your medications. List every surgery, every chronic issue, every allergy. This isn’t about matching or failing. It’s about matching your real abilities to the job’s demands. Some roles need full mobility. Others require sharp vision or hearing. The examiner looks for anything that could put you, or your coworkers, at risk.

You need your shot records for many jobs. Healthcare workers, food staff, and anyone working with the public must show current vaccinations. Don't try to remember - bring your actual records. Our immunization team checks your records and tells you exactly what shots you need for your job. We make it clear and simple.

Inside the Physical Assessment

Physical exams test what your body can actually do. You'll move, stretch, and lift weights to show you can handle the job's tasks. The examiner watches how you move - any signs of pain or stiffness matter. They'll check basic health markers too: your heart, your breathing, your blood pressure.

Every number gets written down. High blood pressure? It's noted. Fast heartbeat? That goes in the file. While it's not a full medical exam, our standardized physical testing spots problems that could affect job performance. At Midlands Exams & Drug Screening, Inc, we follow strict testing rules. Each person gets the same fair, thorough check.

Drug Screening and Additional Tests

Most jobs test for drugs - it's just part of getting hired. You'll give a urine sample, but some jobs want more. If you work in transport, healthcare, or safety jobs, expect blood or hair tests too. Someone watches the whole thing to make sure it's done right. Our workplace drug screening looks for the usual drugs. Simple fact: fail the test, lose the job.

Some jobs need extra health checks. Blood tests can show hidden health problems like diabetes, liver issues, or infections. If you work in schools or hospitals, you'll often need a TB test too. The examiner follows what each employer wants - nothing extra, nothing missing. We keep your information private and handle each test carefully, so you can focus on your next career step.

What to Bring and How to Prepare

Preparation makes the process smoother. Don’t show up empty-handed. Bring:

• Government-issued photo ID
• List of current medications (with dosages)
• Immunization records
• Corrective lenses or hearing aids, if you use them
• Any required forms from your employer

Wear comfortable clothes. You’ll move, stretch, and sometimes lift. Skip heavy meals and caffeine before the exam, as both can affect blood pressure and heart rate. Arrive early. Rushing in late raises stress and throws off your numbers.

What Employers Look For

Employers want proof you can handle the job. They look for:

• Physical ability: can you lift, bend, and move as needed?
• Stamina: can you handle a full shift without fatigue?
• Clear vision and hearing: especially for safety-sensitive roles
• Stable vital signs: no uncontrolled high blood pressure or heart issues
• Drug-free status: no recent substance use
• Up-to-date immunizations: no risk to coworkers or the public

Failing one part doesn’t always mean losing the job. Sometimes, employers offer accommodations. But honesty matters. Hiding a condition or skipping medication can backfire. The examiner’s job is to document, not to judge.

After the Exam

Results move fast. Most employers get a report within a day or two. If you pass, you move forward. If there’s a problem, the employer decides what comes next. Sometimes, you’ll need a follow-up with your own doctor. Sometimes, the job offer gets pulled. The process is clear, direct, and leaves little room for surprises.

Schedule Your Pre Employment Physical in Columbia Today

Call Midlands Exams & Drug Screening, Inc at 803-790-2045 or contact us to complete your pre-employment physical exam requirements.