Medical Guidelines

Despite the regulatory burdens and intricate legal technicalities that encompass the preplacement medical examination process under the ADA, it is important to recognize that medical screening plays an important role not only for the employer, currently employed workers, and the public, but for the individual candidates as well. The examination helps to ensure that:

• The individual's health and safety are not placed at risk or impaired as a result of employment in the new job.

   

• The individual is medically and emotionally able to perform the demands of the job.

   

• The employment of qualified persons with disabilities is facilitated by valid and reliable information concerning both the existing environmental hazards and the physical demands of the job.

   

• The public and currently employed workers are protected from medically incapable persons unable to perform the job.

   

• The employer's exposure to financial liability arising from medically identifiable deficiencies and improper job placement is minimized to the greatest extent feasible.

Because of these important objectives, employers have sought guidance in establishing medical screening criteria that are job-related. MED-TOX has developed medical screening guidelines that are consistent with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The guidelines take into account both the level of ability needed for minimally adequate job performance and the frequency of task performance. Guidelines cover the following areas:

• a. Dermatological System
  b. Ears, Nose, Mouth and Throat
  c. Hearing
  d. Eyes and Vision
  e. Cardio and peripheral vascular System
  f. Respiratory System
  g. Gastrointestinal System
  h. Genitourinary Tract
  i. Endocrine Metabolic and Nutritional Systems
  j. Neurologic System
  k. Musculoskeletal System
  l. Upper Extremities
  m. Hematopoietic System
  n. Cancer
  o. Infectious Disease

The MED-TOX medical guidelines comprise a set of protocols and decision rules for medical screening. Appropriate evaluation methods are provided when the jobs working condition or physical demand level could adversely affect an employee's health or safety, or result in unacceptable risk to other workers or the public. Notes suggesting various courses of action for appropriate evaluation and functional assessment are incorporated into the guidelines.