5 Things a DOT Physical Tests

nurse taking a blood pressure readingIf you wish to drive a commercial vehicle for a living, you will be required to receive a DOT exam periodically. To obtain a commercial driving license, you will be required to pass this exam first. The DOT exam is designed to measure a person’s general health to ensure that nothing will negatively impact their ability to drive the vehicle.

Vision – Commercial drivers are required to have 20/40 vision with or without glasses or contact lenses.

Drug Use – The use of drugs while operating a vehicle can severely impair your ability to drive. The DOT physical uses a urine test to make sure that commercial drivers are not using controlled substances.

Hearing – The Department of Transportation requires drivers to have good hearing. To pass a DOT exam, you must be able to hear a forced whisper with one ear from a distance of five feet without the use of a hearing aid. If you only wear a hearing aid in one ear, you can still pass the DOT exam.

Neurological Screening – If you have epilepsy or a history of seizures, you will be disqualified from receiving a CDL. This policy is in place to ensure that commercial drivers do not endanger the safety of others and themselves should they experience a seizure on the road.

Cardiovascular Screening – Good heart health is also required to pass the DOT exam. Blood pressure readings are used to assess your risk. Drivers who have diagnosed heart conditions are asked to bring a letter from their cardiologist that outlines their medical history and heart medications they are taking.

The DOT physical must be completed by a qualified examiner, like the staff at Pinnacle Medical Management. When you need a DOT physical in Corpus Christi, TX, Houston, Dallas, or San Antonio, contact Pinnacle Medical Management. We have four convenient locations to serve our customers.

The Importance of the Pre-Employment Drug Test

job candidates waiting for interviewAs an employer, you have many responsibilities from ensuring that your candidates have the qualifications they need to perform the job well to make sure that their goals and aspirations are in line with your company’s goals and culture. You are also responsible for ensuring that all of your employees are drug-free.

Drugs Can Compromise Your Business

People who use drugs can become so consumed by their addiction that they begin ignoring everyday responsibilities – like their job. Drugs can severely impact cognitive abilities, which can negatively affect employees’ job performance. Eventually, all of the negative impacts add up and can actually harm your bottom line. You may think one bad egg can’t ruin your image, but you have to remember that each employee is a representative of your business, and if customers or colleagues notice that this employee is not performing to the standard it can harm your brand image.

In addition, if you are hiring for a job that requires the use of heavy machinery, specialized equipment, or is in a healthcare setting, an employee being under the influence on the job can result in serious injury to the employee and others.

What Can You Do About Employee Drug Use?

As an employer, you have the right to request a pre-employment drug test. At Pinnacle Medical Management, we provide drug screening in Houston, Corpus Christi, Dallas, and San Antonio so that you know you are hiring a person you can trust. Contact us today to learn more.

Welcome to the Pinnacle Medical Management Blog

Pinnacle Medical Management LogoWhen you need medical testing services like physicals, DOT exams, DNA testing, alcohol testing, and drug testing in Houston, TX, Corpus Christi, Dallas, and San Antonio, you can count on Pinnacle Medical Management. We specialize in a comprehensive range of testing services to help you maintain compliance and reduce your risk of liability. Whether you need pre-employment drug testing, a paternity test, or a student-athlete physical, our facilities are prepared to assist you.

In this blog, we will discuss a wide variety of topics related to medical testing that we feel will be interesting and informative for our customers. Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your health and your business – and that is what we aim to provide with this blog. If you are an employer, the parent of a student-athlete, or anyone who will use medical testing services in the future, you should subscribe. We will be publishing new content regularly, so you should subscribe.

Pinnacle Medical Management proudly serves the state of Texas for all of your medical testing needs. We have locations in Houston, Corpus Christi, Dallas, and San Antonio. We make it convenient to manage your data online with our Pinnacle Anytime online service. Contact us today to learn more about our services.