Occupational Health

How An Occupational Medicine Specialist Can Help You

Occupational medicine specialists help people in a variety of ways. Specially trained in injury treatment and prevention, performance improvement, and employment physicals, these providers help develop safe and productive work environments and improve a person’s ability to function in their daily life.

Here are more facts about occupational medicine that you should know.

Occupational Medicine Specialists Perform Physical Exams

Whether you work for the Department of Transportation (DOT) or a school, hospital, childcare center, or in another demanding environment, many companies require physical assessments as a condition of employment. In some cases, physicals need to be done on an annual or biannual basis.

Performed and documented by occupational health specialists, these detailed assessments reveal if an employee is physically, mentally, and emotionally capable of performing their job tasks safely and effectively. This ensures that the job will be done well without an unusually higher risk of injury or mistakes. Physicals are an excellent way to improve safety in workspaces, as well as catch and treat health conditions early on.

Occupational Medicine Specialists Provide Drug Screenings, Vaccines, and Lab Tests

Drug screenings are a very common test that millions of people take every year. They ensure that an individual is not taking illegal substances and can be trusted as a law-abiding and drug-free member of society.

Employers require drug screenings in many situations, such as:

  • Before an offer of employment is issued
  • After an accident, illness, or injury
  • Randomly throughout the course of employment
  • As a follow-up to employment suspension and requirement for a return to work

Occupational medicine clinics also administer TB testing and vaccines against tetanus, measles, hepatitis B, influenza, and more, as needed. These are to protect employees and customers alike.

Occupational Medicine Specialists Provide Care For Work-Related Injuries

These health providers are experts in the workers’ compensation process. From initial exams to treatment and continuing care of workplace injuries, occupational medicine specialist follow patients through their return to work. Plus, they help with the complex deadlines and paperwork requirements of workers’ comp injury claims. Frankly, their expertise benefits both employees and employers, as they provide safe and efficient ways to treat patients and prevent future injuries.

Convenient, Comprehensive Care From Your Occupational Medicine Specialist in King, NC

To fully recover from a workplace-related injury or condition or to receive the assessment you need for employment, please see one of our occupational health providers. Board-certified emergency medicine physician, Dr. Samir Patel, heads the professional team at our walk-in clinic.

At our clinic in King, NC, patients can come seven days a week without an appointment. We have on-site X-ray and lab testing, as well as stabilization services for injuries such as strains, sprains, burns, lacerations, and more. Plus, wait times are far shorter than at your local hospital emergency room. Costs are lower, as well.

So, if health, safety, job performance, and injury prevention are your priorities, we at Cardinal Urgent Care can help seven days a week. We look forward to helping you!

The Importance of a Pre-Employment Drug Test

Drug tests have become increasingly commonplace in the business world as companies attempt to create a drug-free workplace, avoid potential legal liability, and improve productivity. There are several reasons why an employer might require a pre-employment drug test. If you are an employer, weigh the pros and cons of drug testing before making a decision. After all, the most vital is ensuring the employees are productive and safe.

Let’s talk about the importance of a pre-employment drug test and where you can go to get this test done in King, NC.

The Importance of a Pre-Employment Drug Test

Many companies now require applicants to take a pre-employment drug test. Drug testing helps identify potential employees who may use drugs that could impact their job performance or create safety hazards.

Drug testing can also help employers identify potential substance abuse problems among employees. That allows them to get the help they need before it affects their job performance.

Here are some reasons why pre-employment drug tests are essential:

1. To Ensure a Safe Workplace

The number one priority for any business is to create a safe work environment. Drug use can lead to accidents and injuries on the job, which puts employees and customers at risk. By requiring a pre-employment drug test, companies can make sure that their employees are not putting others in danger.

2. To Avoid Potential Legal Liability

The company becomes liable if an employee sustains an injury while working. There are also legal repercussions if the employee was under drug influence during the accident. By requiring a drug test, companies can avoid this potential legal liability.

3. To Improve Productivity

Employees who use drugs may be more likely to call in sick, show up late, or have job accidents. That can lead to lost productivity and higher insurance rates. Companies can weed out employees likely to cause these problems by requiring a drug test.

4. To Send a Message That Drug Use Is Not Tolerated

Companies requiring drug tests send a strong message to their employees that they don’t tolerate drug use. That can help to create a drug-free workplace. It may also discourage employees from using drugs in the first place.

5. To Save Money

In addition to the cost of lost productivity, companies have to spend money on possible future damage control. Companies can save money in the long run by requiring a drug test.

6. To Safeguard the Well-Being of Employees

Lastly, employers are responsible for safeguarding their employees’ well-being. Drug use can lead to health problems. Companies want to avoid potential risks to their employees’ health and safety.

Nowadays, workplaces don’t focus on productivity and output alone. Employers now take care of their employee’s safety, health, and happiness. Pre-employment drug tests have become a staple in many companies to help achieve this goal.

Conducting Pre-Employment Drug Tests

Reputable clinics can help employers and employees with their pre-employment drug testing needs. They have the experience and expertise to ensure that the process is correct and efficient.

Employers should consult with a reputable clinic to determine what type of drug test is best for their business. The most common drug test type is a urine test, but there are also blood, hair follicle, and saliva tests.

The employer must decide on the type of drug test. Then they will need to provide the clinic with a list of the drugs they want to screen. The most common substances to test for are:

  • Amphetamines
  • Cocaine
  • Opiates
  • Phencyclidine (PCP), and
  • THC (marijuana)

Afterward, the clinic will provide the employer with a list of the employees who need to undergo the test. The employees must provide urine, blood, hair, or saliva samples. Those will go to a laboratory for analysis.

The drug test results will be confidential and only shared with the employer. The clinic can also assist in interpreting the results of the drug test.

Pre-Employment Drug Test in King, NC

Are you looking for a pre-employment drug test in King, NC? You can trust Cardinal Urgent Care. Our expert providers are excited to give you the comprehensive and compassionate care you deserve. You may call our friendly staff at (336) 983-9111 to learn about our many services. You may also fill out our convenient appointment request form to book a consultation.

We look forward to serving you!

 

How to Find a Good Occupational Health Clinic?

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think about your health until something goes wrong. And even then, it’s often difficult to know where to turn for help. You might go to your regular doctor, but if the problem is work-related, they might not have the right expertise or knowledge to treat you. That’s where occupational health and medicine come in.

Let’s talk about what occupational health clinics are, the benefits of using an occupational health clinic, and where you can find a good clinic in NC.

What Are Occupational Health Clinics and What Do They Offer?

Occupational health clinics offer various services to help employees stay healthy and safe on the job. Services provided by occupational health clinics vary depending on the clinic but can include physical exams, drug screenings, mental health services, and ergonomic assessments. Some clinics also offer wellness programs and educational workshops on topics like safety in the workplace.

Occupational health care clinics offer employment-related screening, including but not limited to:

  • DOT physicals
  • Drug screen collections
  • TB testing
  • Blood tests
  • Vaccines, such as chickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, etc.

The Benefits of Using an Occupational Health Clinic

There are many benefits to using an occupational health clinic, both for employees and employers. Employees can get the care they need to stay healthy and productive on the job, and employers can promote a workplace safety culture. The specific benefits include:

  • Offer convenient and accessible care for employees.
  • Save employers money on workers’ compensation costs.
  • Improve employee morale and productivity.

How to Find a Good Occupational Health Clinic?

When looking for a good occupational health clinic, it is crucial to consider the providers’ experience, hours of operation, and services offered. You should also make sure that the clinic is conveniently located and that it accepts your insurance. Here are some tips on how to find a good occupational health clinic:

  1. Check the credentials of the providers at the clinic. Make sure that they have experience treating occupational injuries and illnesses. Cardinal Urgent Care providers cover every aspect of healthcare – we have a doctor, physician assistant, and family nurse practitioner on staff who have years of experience treating worker’s compensation patients and performing occupational health screenings.
  2. Find out what hours the clinic is open. You should be able to get care when you need it, without taking time off from work.
  3. Make sure that the clinic offers the services you need. If you have a specific concern, such as a TB test or specific vaccines, make sure that the clinic offers that service.

Occupational Medicine at Cardinal Urgent Care

If you are looking for a medical provider with occupational health experience or need treatment after a workplace injury, don’t hesitate to contact Cardinal Urgent Care today. We are proud to offer occupational medicine as one of our important healthcare services. We provide all the occupational medicine services mentioned above, and Dr. Samir Patel, MD, Julie Gupton, PA-C, and Abigail Rooks, FNP-C founded Cardinal Urgent Care with the express interest in offering urgent care and occupational medicine.

We are open 7 days a week, from 8 am-8 pm Mon-Fri and from 9 am-5 pm Saturdays and Sundays. Walk-ins are always welcome, or you set up an appointment and cut down on waiting room time by calling us at 336-983-9111 or scheduling an appointment here.