Many employers ask us what happens in a pre-employment medical and whether it actually provides useful data. Most have used generic checks in the past – a quick tick-and-flick that tells you almost nothing about whether someone can handle the physical demands of the job.
That’s where Proper Physio comes in. Here is what a diagnostic-first functional assessment looks like instead.
It starts with the role, not a generic template
Before we assess anyone, we need to understand what the job actually demands. Is it repetitive lifting? Overhead work? Long periods on their feet? Confined spaces? A pre-employment functional assessment is only useful if it measures against the real physical requirements of the role, not a generic checklist. That’s why we ask for a short role description upfront, so the 60 minutes are spent testing what actually matters.
The assessment itself: 60 minutes, hands-on
Once the candidate arrives, one of our AHPRA-registered physiotherapists runs through a structured, physio-led musculoskeletal screen. Because real results take real skill, we don’t rely on self-reported questionnaires. Depending on the role, this covers:
- Lifting capacity, tested against realistic job loads
- Joint range of motion and functional movement
- Grip strength and physical endurance
- Cardiovascular fitness, where the role demands sustained physical output
None of this is guesswork. It is observed, measured, and recorded by a clinician who understands how movement and physical load work together.
Drug and alcohol screening, if required
For roles where testing is required, we also run AS/NZS compliant drug and alcohol screening with full chain-of-custody documentation, ensuring the result holds up to regulatory scrutiny.
What you get at the end
You don’t get a stack of raw, confusing data to interpret yourself. You get a clear pass, fail, or risk-rated report built around the specific role, making your hiring decision straightforward. If a risk is flagged, the report explains exactly what it is and why – no vague impressions or sugar-coated answers.
How it fits into your hiring timeline
This isn’t designed to slow your process down. Appointments take 60 minutes, and reports are turned around quickly so your recruitment keeps moving. For businesses requiring reliable pre-employment screening Perth wide, our clinics in Applecross, Mandurah, and Thornlie make onboarding seamless.
Worth doing once, not every time you’re unsure
Once you’ve seen what a proper assessment tells you, it’s hard to go back to generic checklists. Employers who build this into onboarding as standard tend to see far fewer early lost-time injuries, because they aren’t finding out the hard way that a candidate wasn’t a physical match for the job.
If you’d like to see how this works for your next intake, get in touch with your nearest Enhance Physiotherapy clinic today.
