Pre-Employment Screening to Recruit the Right Candidate [2021 UAE Guide]
To recruit a 100% perfect employee is nearly impossible whereas applicants that may somehow clear initial screening procedure come out to be the most troublesome during employment screening. Other than behavioural, there’re certain medical issues that may hamper an individual’s ability to perform his/her job accurately.
The coming of global pandemic gave way to remote hiring which complicated the procedure further but, it may vary from one industry to another. In fact, industries that went completely remote or among the first to experience digital platforms changed their recruitment policies from scratch to ensure onboarding the right candidate.
The new pre-employment tests and procedures are being accepted by industries of all nature and sizes. Whether your purpose includes medical test for visa in Abu Dhabi or anything else, explore all you should know about pre-employment essentials to consider for the rest of the year 2021.
Basic Pre-Employment Examination
Spirometry:
Spirometry tests are performed to detect the possibility of lung-related diseases like asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). During the test, candidate is asked to blow into a mouth organ (spirette) which gives the reading of the lung functionality.
Audiometry:
Audiometry or hearing tests can identify any issue with the specimen’s hearing such as mild, moderate or severe loss of hearing ability. A candidate is exposed to various frequencies, pitches and sounds during the test.
Vision/Visual:
To assess applicant’s colour perception, visual acuity, and general eyesight, vision tests are also conducted by companies before hiring a potential talent.
Drug & Alcohol Screening:
Many companies also conduct drug/substance abuse and alcohol screening by different methods. These may take place within an office under the supervision of a medical professional for immediate results whereas more accurate and in-detailed tests are performed in a hospital’s lab or clinic.
Also note that the above highlight only the basic screening process whereas the list of pre-employment tests varies per industry and overall nature of the job. Let’s look further into the procedure and find out how companies are benefiting from pre-employment screening as well as future possibilities.
Medical/Health History
The medical practitioner(s) will assess the candidate by probing into their past and present medical history which unfolds overall health, possible injuries, disabilities, vaccination, lifestyle, health and fitness habits. Candidates should honestly respond to each query in order to endure their own safety during work. That said, any false information or hiding something deliberately can compromise safety of yours as well as the workplace (should there be any serious health anomaly or perhaps a transmutable disease).
Pre-Employment Medical Screening – Preparation Requisites
Preparing for the session will surely help applicants to come prepared thereby avoiding last-minute hassle and inconvenience. Here’s what to do:
- On-time arrival
- Carry a valid photo ID, driver’s license and/or passport
- Bring corrective glasses (with prescription if you wear any)
- If you’ve asthma or any breathing issue, bring along inhaler or bronchodilator
- Avoid making loud noises OR speaking loudly
- Avoid smoking and caffeine
Functional Assessments
Also termed as pre-employment physical examination conducted by a certified physiologist, occupational therapist or physiotherapist in a specialised environment to identify the right fit. Like the name says, these functional examinations determine physical stamina required to perform the job being hired for. Range of motion, gripping strength, lifting and load carrying capacity, positional/area-based tolerances as well as cardiovascular aptness etc; all are carefully analysed.
As a Job Application Status
Undoubtedly, pre-employment health assessment is important but let alone it won’t decide should a candidate be hired or rejected as it’s only one section of the entire recruitment procedure. Your employer is the only authority to decide about an applicant’s hiring or rejection.
Health Risk Factors
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there’re more or less eight factors posing health risks. During pre-employment assessment, you’re likely to be questioned on the following:
- Smoking and drinking
- Poor diet and obesity
- Less of physical activities and/or exercises
- High blood pressure and sugar
- High cholesterol
Why opt for Assessment in the First Place?
As said earlier that the assessment procedure varies from an industry to another, basic purpose of all is pretty much the same. Let’s assume that you’re on your way to a visa medical centre in Abu Dhabi for employment, your assessment would decide on the following:
- Establish a firm ground about an applicant’s ability to meet physical requirements
- Analyse overall health of the staff at appropriate or timely intervals especially if nature of the job would expose an individual to a hazardous environment.
- Analyse if the employee is able to return to work from an extended leave post injury or any other unlikely situation
- Carefully recognise health condition of the staff including disabilities, injuries and illnesses, taking advance steps to ensure they can continue employment.
- Determine long-term effect when an individual is exposed to hazardous substances/environment.
Common FAQs
What to Do if I’ve experienced an injury or illness earlier?
Licensed medical practitioner will carefully evaluate any injury as well as risks associated with it that may hamper your performance at the workplace. It’s necessary for you to answer all the questions being asked by the professional about the past medical record.
Do you need to bring any paperwork or document at the appointment?
You should bring any of your photo ID that can be the National ID card, driver’s license or passport. All documents must have a validity of more than six months. If you’re using any medicine or wearing any medical/health related gadget or accessory such as eye glass or contact lens, also bring doctor’s prescribed receipt.
Is there any dress code when taking pre-employment health test?
Candidates are encouraged to dress in loose clothes for the convenience of various medical tests. There isn’t any particular dress code though. Also, ensure no part of the body is visible except for the face.
What Else to Consider for My Medical Test?
- It may take one-to-two hours for the pre-employment test to complete. However, this may vary from one industry or nature of job to another.
- A proper gown or clinical garb is provided to the candidate before the test begins.
- With audiometry or visual assessment, there aren’t any counter effects.
- Keep yourself calm before and during the procedure.
All the above information is sure to help you with the pre-employment screening preparation and other essential requisites.