Frequently Asked Questions
Pre-Employment medical assessments review a candidate’s medical history and their capability to meet the requirements of the role, including physical and psychological requirements. Pre-employment assessments help employers review potential employees and their suitability for the role they are applying for.
What else do I need to know about Pre-employment assessments? Below are some frequently asked questions.
What do I need to do prior to my appointment?
You will receive a pre-employment questionnaire to be completed, and potentially any other paperwork requested, as instructed at the time of booking. The clinician will go through your paperwork prior to commencing your pre-employment assessment.
What do I need to wear?
A physical Pre-Employment assessment will involve physical activities such as moving and stepping. It is recommended that you wear closed in shoes (ideally trainers or joggers, preferably no thongs, sandals, or open toe shoes). We also recommend loose comfortable clothing that facilitate ease of movement.
Will I have to provide consent prior to my appointment?
At Recovery Partners, we ask for your consent to participate. We collect, store, use and disclose information to the employer for the sole purpose of the pre-employment assessment. This includes:
- Carrying out a review of your disclosed medical history
- Assessing your health status by completing a range of assessments.
- Reporting the results of the assessment to our client (The employer).
Please be advised that the participation in all assessments and disclosure of health-related information is at your discretion. If you choose not to proceed with assessments or disclose specific health related information while completing the assessments, we will advise your employer accordingly.
Why is the clinician asking me about my medical history?
We need to ensure that we get an accurate snapshot of your health status. Questions asked may include information disclosed in your pre-employment questionnaire. Examples of questions could include potential injuries, treatment plans and any medication you are on which may impact you while completing the pre-employment assessment?
Do I need to fast before my assessment?
No, the assessment does not require you to fast before. The only requirement is that you do not have coffee or other caffeinated products before the assessment.
Why can’t I have caffeine or a drink containing caffeine prior to my assessment?
Caffeine can cause a temporary increase in heart rate and blood pressure which can be noticed up to 4 hours post intake. Due to heart rate and blood pressure being one of the items we will be measuring. We recommend that you go without items that contain caffeine such as Tea/Coffee/Energy and Pre-workout drinks prior to your assessment.
I have had a high blood pressure reading. Why do I need to obtain a clearance letter from my doctor?
During our pre-employment assessments, subject to the role being applied for, we may engage in physical assessments that will put pressure on your cardiovascular system. We request a clearance letter to ensure, you the candidate can proceed safely during the assessment and to rule out any underlying potential risk factors.
What kind of tests make up a pre-employment assessment?
The kind of tests is dependent on the role being applied for and may involve a general medical history, physiological assessments, functional tests, and range of motion tests. Some examples of assessment types:
- Audiometry testing (hearing testing)
- Vision Testing (eyesight)
- Urinalysis (Drug testing)
- Alcohol Breath test
- Lifting capacity tests
Will I have to pay for my assessment?
This is dependent on the employer and the agreement with them. We will advise you accordingly at time of booking.
Why can’t the clinician tell me if I have passes or failed?
A medical assessment is not something you pass or fail. The result of the assessments will be given a risk rating and passed on to the client (prospective employer). Even if there are risks identified, many roles can have modifications made to ensure the inherent components of the role can be done safely. Recovery Partners does not have any role in the decision-making process when hiring a potential candidate and this remains at the discretion of the employer.
Can I request a copy of my results?
We are unable to provide a copy of your results, but this can be requested from your potential employer.
Disclaimer – these articles are provided to supply general safety information to people responsible for OHS in their organisation. They are general in nature and do not substitute for legal and/or professional advice. We always suggest that organisations obtain information specific to their needs. Additional information can be found at https://www.safeworkaustralia.gov.au/Â