HEALTH SERVICES
Helping employers and employees maintain their health
At Whatcom Occupational Health, we understand the importance of maintaining optimal health in both personal and professional realms. That’s why we offer a comprehensive suite of health services designed to support individuals and employers in fostering a healthy, safe, and productive environment.
Our mission is to promote the well-being of individuals and businesses alike through a wide range of specialized medical services tailored to meet your unique needs.
Our dedicated team of medical professionals is here to provide expert care and guidance every step of the way. Whether you require routine physical examinations, specialized D.O.T. physicals, drug testing services, work-related injury assessments, or blood-borne pathogens testing, we’ve got you covered. With state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology, we ensure accurate diagnoses and effective treatments tailored to your specific requirements.
At Whatcom Occupational Health, your health and safety are our top priorities. We are committed to delivering prompt, efficient, and compassionate care to all our patients, helping you achieve and maintain optimal health outcomes.
Physical Exams Conducted By Experienced Professionals
Our Services Include
Physicals
We Provide multiple types of physicals to fit your needs as an employer. Below is a short list and definitions of each type.
Annual Executive: An annual executive physical is a comprehensive medical examination tailored for busy professionals, typically at the executive level of organizations. These examinations are designed to provide a thorough assessment of an individual’s health, focusing on preventive care, early detection of potential health issues, and overall well-being.
Preplacement: A pre-employment physical is a medical exam employers may require new hires to complete to ensure they’re physically or mentally capable of doing a job.
Yearly Physicals: A yearly physical, also known as an annual physical examination or employment physical, is a routine medical check-up that many employers require their employees to undergo on a yearly basis. The purpose of these physicals is to assess the overall health and fitness of employees, ensure they are physically capable of performing their job duties, and identify any potential health issues early on.
Medical Testing
When it comes to hazards in the employment fields, it can be risky, from asbestos and lead in the construction, to blood-borne pathogens in the lab, we test and exam for it all. Below is a short list of what we test for.
Blood-Borne Pathogens: Jobs often test for blood-borne pathogens for several reasons. Many include preventive measures, safety precautions, and legal compliance.
Audiometric Testing: Audiometric testing helps determine if there are any early indications of noise-induced hearing loss. Because occupational hearing loss happens gradually over time, workers often fail to notice changes in their hearing ability until a relatively large change occurs.
Quantitative Fit Testing: Quantitative fit testing may be used for any tight fitting facepiece respirator. It must be used when fit testing a full facepiece negative pressure respirator to obtain its assigned protection factor of 50 and allow it to be used in environments up to 50 times the PEL.
Asbestos & Lead Testing: Paints and other construction materials like plumbing pipes may contain lead, which is a toxin. Ingesting lead-based substances can lead to health issues, especially for younger children in their early developmental stages.
Case Management
Case management is a complex process that requires coordination, communication, and collaboration among various stakeholders. The goal is to facilitate timely and effective return to work (RTW), reduce disability costs, and improve employee satisfaction and productivity.
DOT Medical Certification
A DOT physical helps determine if a driver is physically, mentally, and emotionally fit to operate a CMV. If you are a commercial driver, you are a “safety-sensitive” employee.
FAA Examination Class
Pilots may apply for and be granted any class of airman medical certificate as long as the applicant meets the required medical standards for that class of medical certificate.
The type of medical certification required for each type of flying is determined by Flight Standards.
- First-Class – Airline Transport Pilot
- Second-Class – Commercial Pilot, Flight Engineer, Flight Navigator, Balloon Pilots exercising Commercial Pilot privileges, or Air Traffic Control Tower Operator (this category of air traffic controller does not include FAA employee air traffic control specialists).
- Third-Class – Private Pilot or Recreational Pilot
Exams
We offer a comprehensive list of exams for all employment types.
Respiratory Clearance: This medical evaluation should occur prior to the employee being allowed to wear a respirator. A respirator clearance only clears the employee to wear a respirator and the general type of respirator they can use.
Functional Capacities: A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) is a set of tests that are used to identify a person’s physical skills, functional capabilities, activity endurance, and work tolerances. The FCE is a 6-to-8-hour evaluation that is administered over two days by an occupational therapist or physical therapist.
Independent Medical Exams: Independent Medical Exams are examinations by a physician, other than the worker’s attending physician, at the request of the insurer. Generally, an insurer will schedule an IME to obtain an independent medical opinion to address a number of issues, including what caused your injury, treatment options, work restrictions, and medically stationary status.
Ergonomic Evaluations: This is an assessment of a worker at their workstation to ensure correct working postures and workstation set-up. A good ergonomic assessment is done to reduce a worker’s exposure to physical hazards such as uncomfortable posture from performing repetitive tasks.
Programs
When it come to employment programs, Whatcom Occupational Health is your go-to.
Employment Training: By providing employees with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed, medical staff training can help to boost confidence and improve patient outcomes.
Return-to-Work Programs: A Return-to-Work (RTW) Program provides a structured framework that supports your employees’ transition back to a normal or modified schedule following a workplace injury or illness. It offers clear but flexible procedures that can be easily adapted to the specific recovery needs of the injured worker.
Medical Surveillance (Toxic Exposure): Medical Surveillance is the systematic assessment of employees exposed or potentially exposed to occupational hazards. This assessment monitors individuals for adverse health effects and determines the effectiveness of exposure prevention strategies.
DOT/CDL Medical Exams
DOT/CDL MEDICAL EXAMS
Workplace Drug Testing and Alcohol Treatment Program
We offer Form Fox testing!
We offer after hours drug testing for an additional fee. Our after hours number is 360-303-8345
*$225.00 fee to call and utilize this after hours service
Sensitive Drug Testing
There are eye-opening statistics that reveal the nature and size of America’s problems with drug abuse in the workplace as well as the general population.
In short, people who are influenced by drugs and/or alcohol are absent, late, more frequently injured, and are sick more days than employees who don’t.
Clear Policies
These DOT regulations cover all transportation employers, safety-sensitive transportation employees, and service agents – roughly 10 million people.
Encompassed in 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 40, the Office of Drug & Alcohol Policy & Compliance (ODAPC) publishes, implements, and provides authoritative interpretations of these rules.
Provisions for Education & Training
Employers of safety-sensitive transportation employees play a vital role in ensuring the safety of their employees and the traveling public. Call Whatcom Occupational Health for professional medical services.
Drug And Alcohol Testing
The most common reasons for workplace drug testing are:
- To foster a safe and healthy work environment for employees and customers.
- To help the company benefit from Workers’ Compensation Premium Discount programs.
- To identify and disqualify candidates who use illegal drugs.
- To deter drug and/or alcohol abuse among the company’s current employees.
- To identify and appropriately refer current employees who have problems with drug and/or alcohol abuse.
- To comply with state and federal laws and regulations (i.e. the U.S. Department of Transportation’s rules for drug testing employees who fill certain safety-sensitive positions.)
- To promote employee and customer confidence in the company’s commitment to quality and safety
Protect Your Employees From Exposure to Blood-Borne Pathogens
Needlestick injuries and other sharp object-related injuries that expose workers to blood-borne pathogens continue to be an important public health concern. Workers in many different occupations are at risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens, including Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV / AIDS. First-aid team members, housekeeping personnel in some settings, nurses, and other health-care providers are examples of workers who may be at risk of exposure. Whatcom Occupational Health’s clinicians and doctors are skilled as first responders.
How Blood-Borne Pathogens Are Not Transmitted
- By touching an infected person
- Through coughing or sneezing
- By using the same equipment, materials, toilets, water fountains, or showers as an infected person
Get Timely Medical Treatment for Blood-Borne Diseases
Blood-borne pathogens are transmitted when contaminated blood or body fluids enter the body of another person. This can occur through a number of pathways such as an accidental puncture by a sharp object contaminated with the pathogen. “Sharps” include objects like:
- Needles
- Scalpels
- Broken glass
- Razor blades
- Open cuts or skin abrasions coming in contact with contaminated blood or bodily fluids
- Sexual contact
- Indirect transmission (a person touches dried or caked-on blood and then touches the eyes, mouth, nose or an open cut) (HBV only)
Immunizations and Specialty Testing
Immunizations and specialty testing give you, the employer, options when it comes to keeping your employees safe.
How to Plan for Fall and Winter Influenza Season
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Cross Train Your Staff
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Reduce Transmission
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Send The Sick Home
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Encourage Proper Hygiene
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Routinely Clean & Sanitize High Traffic Areas
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Do Not Share Employee Equipment
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Maintain Vaccinations or Get Vaccinated
Various Immunizations Available Are:
Give Exceptional Medical Care to Your Injured Employee
Whatcom Occupational Health’s goal is to provide treatment for work-related injuries and promote a healthy workforce, prevent illness, and work with employers on occupational hazards.
Workplace Injury Assessments