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5 Reasons to See an Occupational Therapist

Occupational medicine is an important medical specialty that focuses on the unique health and wellness needs of workers. Most people think of occupational medicine in terms of workers’ compensation claims — but that’s just part of what they do.

At Triad Primary Care, our team offers comprehensive occupational medicine services for employees and employers, too. Here, learn five reasons to see a member of our occupational medicine specialty team:

1. Pre-employment physicals

Many companies require employees to have physical exams before being offered a job. These exams can be comprehensive, just like an annual physical exam, or they can be focused solely on aspects of health that may play a role in your workplace duties and the role you’re assigned.

Pre-employment physicals can help determine if you're fit enough to handle specific duties, like lifting heavy weights or standing or sitting for long periods of time. These physicals aim to protect you from potential injuries and protect the company from liability risks, as well. They can also determine if you might need accommodations to perform your duties.

2. Department of Transportation (DOT) physicals

DOT exams are required for commercial drivers to ensure you’re healthy enough to drive and able to protect yourself and other drivers on the road.  These exams must be completed regularly to help maintain your role as a commercial or high-capacity driver.

DOT physicals use a series of evaluations to ensure you can safely perform your duties, including eye exams, blood pressure evaluations, and other exams and assessments to check for underlying problems that could interfere with your duties or increase safety risks. 

In addition to performing the actual exam, our team can fill out the paperwork necessary for you to maintain your commercial driver’s license.

3. Employee drug testing

Many employers require drug testing before employment and during your term of employment, as well. These tests check for specific substances in your blood and other fluids — specifically, substances that could interfere with your ability to perform your job. 

In addition to your employer’s requirements, drug tests may be required to meet industry or government standards. Workers’ compensation exams may also require drug testing as part of the claims review process.

4. Workers' compensation evaluations

Workers’ compensation evaluations involve exams and assessments performed by occupational medicine specialists. A workers’ compensation exam plays a central role in helping you receive treatment and compensation following an injury at your workplace or during your job-related duties.

It helps assess the type and extent of your injuries and provides a record of the accident along with treatment recommendations. As part of the claims process, a workers’ compensation exam must be completed in a timely manner, so if you’ve been injured on the job, call us right away to learn how to schedule your exam.

5. Workplace accident prevention

You can’t completely eliminate the risk of workplace injuries. However, providers skilled in occupational medicine can help prevent them. 

Our team conducts in-depth workplace risk assessments designed to uncover potential risks to your physical health and your emotional health, too. By identifying possible hazards, our team makes recommendations to eliminate those risks and improve the overall health and wellness of workers, promoting greater wellness, performance, and productivity.

Healthy workers are our priority

Triad Primary Care is a leading provider of occupational medicine services and primary care services, too. If you have a health issue — whether or not it’s related to work — we can help. To learn more, request an appointment online or over the phone with Triad Primary Care today.

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