Pre-employment Health Screening Policy & Procedure

Statement

Pre-employment health screening is a procedure which assesses the fitness of an applicant’s declared health in relation to the role they are to undertake.

Procedure

All prospective employees must complete a pre-employment health questionnaire as part of the recruitment process.

The completed medical questionnaire will be assessed by an independent, confidential, qualified occupational health provider – Proactive Well Being.

Information contained in the health questionnaire and medical reports received are deemed highly confidential.

The information enables Proactive Well Being to assess the suitability of the agency workers’ fitness to carry out the specific work.

Managers only need to know whether a candidate is fit for the job or if modifications are required for the job.  However, in some cases it is preferable that the Manager knows about an illness or condition (such as epilepsy or diabetes) so that they can be aware of any consequences of the condition or make any relevant adjustments.

If a medical clearance is granted Proactive Well Being will issue a Fitness to Work Certificate which will be reviewed on either an annual, bi-annual, or 5-year basis.

Criteria for annual review: > 60 years old

                                        : a pre-existing health condition

Criteria for bi-annual review: < 60 years

                                        : no pre-existing health condition

Criteria for 5-year review:  Hepatitis B titre level

The Department of Health requires workers to be screened to establish that they have immunity against, and are not suffering from, certain infectious diseases.  This is in order to protect both the worker and the client.  A list of these are included in the application form.

Workers are obliged to notify Cavendish Homecare Professionals if they undergo surgery, develop a significant illness, become pregnant or have any other change in their health status.

Staff have personal responsibility for their own health and wellbeing and for taking advantage of the occupational health support offered by Proactive Well Being

Fitness Criteria

In order to undertake agency, work effectively it is essential that staff:

• have the health and wellbeing necessary to deal with the specific types of duties in which they are engaged
• are able to communicate effectively with patients and colleagues
• possess sound judgement and insight
• remain alert at all times
• can respond to clients’ needs rapidly and effectively
• do not constitute any risk to the health, safety or well-being of those in their care
• can, where disabilities exist, be enabled by reasonable adjustments to meet this criterion

Date: January 2024

Version: 8 (Review)

Source: Expert Care Manager