Patients: Preparing for your occupational health appointment

Your prospective employer can give you more information about the specific services they require. Generally, you will be asked to provide a complete health history and be evaluated by a medical provider. The health history forms can take 10-15 minutes to complete. The evaluation may include a vision screening, height, weight, blood pressure check, and pulse. You may be required to provide a urine sample, used to identify certain medical conditions (this is not the same as a sample provided for a drug screen). The evaluation can take 30-40 minutes to complete.

If you are also required to complete a Strength & Flexibility Test, this will be performed by a Physical Therapist after your medical evaluation. The physical therapist will have you perform certain physical skills that match those required in the job, such as lifting, reaching, bending, climbing. The test can take from 30-60 minutes to complete, depending on the company’s requirements. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes that allow you to perform physical tasks.

If the employer gave additional requirements, such as fit testing or immunization review, each of these components can take additional time.

Facial hair and stubble is not permitted when wearing, or being tested on, a tight fitting face mask. Facial hair will force the mask seal away from the face and allow contaminants into the mask, putting you at risk. We cannot proceed with a mask fitting if facial hair does not comply with these requirements.

Upon arrival, you will be required to show your photo ID. Billings Clinic Occupational Health follows DOT guidelines for urine specimen collection, even for testing not covered under DOT. A certified collector will walk you through the process. You will be asked to empty your pockets, remove jackets and hats, and leave your belongings outside of the restroom while you provide a urine sample. Once completed, the collector will seal and label the sample to send to the laboratory for testing to be completed.

Results are typically received within 48 hours. Occasionally, additional testing may be required and take additional time. The results are then reviewed by a Medical Review Officer (MRO) before being released to the company. In some instances, the MRO may reach out to you to verify prescriptions or other information before finalizing your results. Not all companies use us to process their results. In those cases, the laboratory will send the results to the specified MRO for that company.

Unfortunately, you cannot bring children with you. Many of our service areas only allow the patient and staff. Please make arrangements beforehand.

Please plan to arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment. For our downtown location, parking is available to the south and to the west of the building. There are designated Occupational Health spots available just south of the building entrance