Corporate Occupational Health Services

Physician-led workplace health programs for Maryland businesses — from pre-employment physicals and OSHA surveillance to workers’ comp care and on-site wellness.

Dr. Efraim Kessous, MPH is a board-certified Occupational Medicine physician partnering with businesses across Maryland to deliver comprehensive occupational health and workplace wellness programs. Our services follow OSHA medical surveillance standards and are fully tailored to your industry’s requirements.

Corporate Occupational Health Programs

Montgomery Medical Clinic offers a complete suite of employer-focused occupational health services. Each program is customized to your workforce, industry hazards, and regulatory obligations.

Pre-Employment

Fit-for-Duty Physicals

Thorough pre-hire examinations and drug testing that ensure new team members are ready for the demands of their specific roles — so every employee is safe and fit for duty from day one.

Respirator Fit Testing Audiometric Testing Lift & Strength Drug Testing
Workplace Injury

Workers’ Compensation

Compassionate care for on-the-job injuries with a clear clinical path to recovery, following Maryland WCC guidelines.

Injury Evaluation Treatment Plans Follow-Up Care
On-Site Services

Corporate Wellness Days

Bring healthcare directly to your workplace with seasonal flu shots, health screenings, and quick check-ups — keeping your team healthy with minimal time away from work.

Flu Shot Clinics Blood Pressure Biometric Screening
Recovery

Return-to-Work Evaluations

Comprehensive evaluations confirming employees are physically ready to resume their duties after illness or injury, with clear documented clearance aligned with job requirements.

Functional Capacity Medical Clearance Work Restrictions
Compliance & Prevention

OSHA Surveillance & Vaccinations

OSHA-compliant surveillance protocols and CDC-recommended vaccinations for corporate, laboratory, and pharmaceutical environments with biological or chemical hazards.

Hepatitis B Tdap & Flu TB Screening Bloodborne Pathogens
Why Choose Us

Physician-Led, Business-Ready

Flexible scheduling for teams of any size, clear and timely reporting for HR and insurers, and a single physician-led point of contact for all your workforce health needs.

Pre-Employment & Fit-for-Duty Physicals

A pre-employment physical is more than a formality — it’s the foundation of a safe workplace. Dr. Kessous designs each examination protocol around the physical and cognitive demands of the specific role, ensuring workers are genuinely ready for duty from their very first day.

What’s Included in a Standard Pre-Employment Physical

Medical history & medication review
Vital signs (BP, HR, height, weight, BMI)
Distance & near vision (OD, OS, OU)
Color vision (Ishihara plates)
Depth perception assessment
Audiometric hearing test
Urinalysis (glucose, protein, blood)
Musculoskeletal & shoulder ROM
Repetitive motion & grip tests

Role-Specific Add-On Components

Test / Evaluation Who Typically Requires It Standard Reference
Respirator Fit Test (QLFT/QNFT) Workers required to wear tight-fitting respirators (N95, half-face, full-face) 29 CFR 1910.134
30 / 50 lb Lift Test Warehouse, construction, healthcare, field service, and any physically demanding role Job-specific functional capacity
Audiometric (Baseline) Test Employees who will be exposed to occupational noise at or above 85 dBA TWA 29 CFR 1910.95
TB Screening (TST / IGRA) Healthcare workers, laboratory staff, correctional facilities, childcare workers CDC & OSHA guidelines
Visual Field Assessment Drivers, forklift operators, security personnel, first responders Role-specific requirement
Repetitive Motion (Tinel / Phalen / Finkelstein) Manufacturing, assembly, data entry, and other repetitive hand/wrist roles NIOSH ergonomic guidance
Drug Screen (5, 10, or 16 panel) Most employers; panel selected based on industry, role, and employer drug-free workplace policy Employer drug-free workplace policy
Spirometry (Pulmonary Function Test) Employees with potential respiratory hazard exposure; respirator users with medical concerns 29 CFR 1910.134

We work with your HR or EHS team to define the appropriate testing protocol for each job category. All results are documented in a structured report formatted for your records management system.

What Employers Should Send Us

To build the right protocol, share the employee’s job description, any known physical demands analysis (PDA), and your industry’s applicable OSHA standards. This allows Dr. Kessous to ensure the exam is both medically appropriate and legally defensible.

OSHA Medical Surveillance Programs

OSHA requires medical surveillance for employees exposed to specific hazards above action levels or permissible exposure limits (PELs). These programs are distinct from pre-employment physicals — they are ongoing, triggered by exposure, and mandated by specific OSHA standards. Dr. Kessous designs and administers surveillance programs that keep your business in full compliance.

Screening vs. Surveillance: An Important Distinction

Medical screening is a one-time clinical event focused on individual diagnosis — like a pre-employment exam. Medical surveillance is an ongoing program designed to detect population-level trends in health outcomes related to workplace exposures, identify early signs of occupational disease, and eliminate underlying hazards. Both are important; only surveillance is mandated by OSHA exposure standards.

29 CFR 1910.134

Respiratory Protection Program

Mandatory medical evaluation (questionnaire) before respirator use, with physician follow-up if indicated. Includes baseline and annual fit testing for tight-fitting facepieces. Covers N95, half-face, full-face respirators, and supplied-air respirators (SCBA).

29 CFR 1910.95

Hearing Conservation Program

Baseline audiogram at hire (within 6 months of first exposure), annual audiograms for employees exposed to ≥85 dBA 8-hr TWA, and Standard Threshold Shift (STS) evaluation and notification. Covers manufacturing, construction, and industrial environments.

29 CFR 1910.1030

Bloodborne Pathogens

Post-exposure evaluation and follow-up after potential exposure incidents. Hepatitis B vaccination and titer verification for employees with occupational exposure risk. Confidential medical records maintained per OSHA requirements. Required for healthcare, laboratory, and first-responder workforces.

29 CFR 1910.1200 / Specific Standards

Chemical & Hazardous Substance Exposure

Medical surveillance for employees exposed to hazardous chemicals including lead, asbestos, benzene, formaldehyde, ethylene oxide, and others with specific OSHA standards. Includes exposure history review, targeted physical exam, and required biological monitoring labs.

NIOSH / General Industry

Ergonomic & Musculoskeletal Surveillance

Periodic evaluation of employees in high-repetition, high-force, or awkward-posture roles. Tinel, Phalen, and Finkelstein tests for cumulative trauma disorder detection. Early-intervention programs reduce lost work days and workers’ compensation costs.

CDC / OSHA Joint Guidelines

TB Surveillance (Healthcare & High-Risk Settings)

Baseline TB testing at hire with periodic testing based on risk classification. IGRA (QuantiFERON-Gold) or TST (tuberculin skin test) per CDC guidelines. Required for healthcare workers, laboratory personnel, correctional staff, and shelter/social service workers.

OSHA Documentation & Record-Keeping

All medical surveillance records are maintained in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.1020 (Access to Employee Exposure and Medical Records). Records must be preserved for the duration of employment plus 30 years for most hazardous substance exposure records. We provide employers with appropriately formatted documentation while maintaining individual employee privacy.

Diagnostic Testing Capabilities

All diagnostic tests are performed on-site by trained staff under physician supervision. Results are delivered in structured reports formatted for HR, safety officers, and insurers.

Test What It Measures Typical Use
Audiometric Exam
500–8,000 Hz bilateral
Hearing thresholds across speech and high frequencies; detects noise-induced hearing loss and STS Pre-employment baseline; annual OSHA surveillance; post-exposure evaluation
Respirator Fit Test
QLFT & QNFT
Adequacy of respirator seal; verifies facepiece selection and donning technique Required before initial respirator use; annually thereafter; after significant weight change or facial surgery
Vision Testing
Distance, Near, Color, Depth, Field
Distance acuity (20/20 standard), near acuity, color discrimination (Ishihara), depth perception (Sheppard/Fry), peripheral visual field Pre-employment; driver physicals; safety-sensitive roles; forklift and equipment operators
30 / 50 lb Lift Test Functional capacity for sustained lifting at specified weights; posture and technique observed Pre-employment for physically demanding roles; return-to-work clearance
Repetitive Motion Tests
Tinel, Phalen, Finkelstein
Carpal tunnel syndrome indicators (Tinel, Phalen) and De Quervain tenosynovitis (Finkelstein) Pre-employment for repetitive-motion roles; ergonomic surveillance; return-to-work
Shoulder Range of Motion Active ROM in all planes; identifies restrictions relevant to overhead or reaching tasks Pre-employment; return-to-work after upper extremity injury
Reach Test Functional reaching ability (Trial 1 & 2); relevant for shelf-stocking, maintenance, and overhead work Pre-employment; return-to-work evaluations
Urinalysis
Glucose, Protein, Blood
Renal function indicators, metabolic screening; chain-of-custody specimen for drug testing Standard component of pre-employment and OSHA physicals
TB Testing (TST / IGRA) Latent or active tuberculosis infection; IGRA (QuantiFERON-Gold) preferred for BCG-vaccinated individuals Healthcare workers; laboratory staff; correctional and shelter employees; annual surveillance
Visual Field Testing Peripheral and central visual field integrity; relevant for driving and safety-sensitive roles Commercial driver physicals; security and law enforcement; forklift operators

Structured Reporting for Employers

Every exam generates a standardized report that includes vital signs, individual test results with reference ranges, pass/fail or normal/abnormal designations, work restriction recommendations if applicable, and physician signature. Reports are formatted for direct intake into HR information systems or insurer case management portals.

Drug Testing Panels

We offer employer-grade drug testing with full chain-of-custody procedures for general employment screening. Panels are available for pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion testing programs.

5-Panel Screen

Standard workplace panel covering the most commonly tested substances in employment drug screening programs.

Marijuana (THC) Cocaine Opiates Amphetamines PCP

10-Panel Screen

Expanded panel covering additional prescription and illicit substances commonly tested in safety-sensitive roles.

Marijuana (THC) Cocaine Opiates Amphetamines PCP Benzodiazepines Barbiturates Methadone Propoxyphene Methaqualone

16-Panel Screen

Our most comprehensive panel, covering modern synthetic opioids and prescription medications increasingly encountered in workplace testing programs.

Marijuana (THC) Cocaine Opiates Amphetamines PCP Benzodiazepines Barbiturates Methadone Oxycodone / Oxymorphone Tramadol Fentanyl Buprenorphine Meperidine Methaqualone Propoxyphene Alcohol

Testing Types We Perform

Pre-Employment

Conducted before a job offer is finalized or before start date. A negative result is a condition of hire.

Random

Unannounced testing selected by computer-generated random process for ongoing workforce deterrence programs.

Post-Accident

After a workplace injury or near-miss incident, as required by employer policy or safety program guidelines.

Reasonable Suspicion

When a trained supervisor observes specific signs and symptoms of impairment consistent with substance use.

Workers’ Compensation & Return-to-Work

Workplace injuries disrupt operations and affect both the employee and the organization. Our goal is a safe, medically guided return to full function — with documentation structured to support smooth processing by HR, insurers, and the Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC).

Workplace Injury Care

1

Initial Injury Evaluation

Comprehensive assessment of the injury mechanism, anatomy affected, and functional limitations. Imaging orders placed when clinically indicated.

2

Diagnosis & Treatment Plan

Clear ICD-10 coded diagnosis and a documented treatment plan including medications, physical therapy referrals, and specialist coordination if needed.

3

Work Status Documentation

Written work status notes specifying full duty, modified duty, or temporary total disability — updated at each visit and formatted for insurer case management.

4

Ongoing Follow-Up

Regular progress evaluations to assess recovery, adjust treatment, and identify obstacles to return. Direct communication with HR and case managers.

5

Maryland WCC Compliance

All documentation formatted for Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission requirements, reducing administrative burden on your team.

Return-to-Work Evaluations

1

Medical Record Review

Review of treatment records, imaging, specialist notes, and any functional capacity evaluation (FCE) results to establish current medical status.

2

Functional Capacity Assessment

Targeted physical examination including strength, ROM, endurance, and job-task simulation (lifting, reaching, gripping) matched to the employee’s job description.

3

Work Restriction Determination

Clear, specific restrictions (e.g., “no lifting >20 lbs,” “no overhead work,” “limited standing to 4 hours/day”) aligned with the employee’s job demands.

4

Medical Clearance Letter

Written clearance documenting the physician’s determination that the employee can safely return, with or without restrictions. Appropriate for employer, insurer, and legal purposes.

5

Modified Duty Planning

Guidance to HR on structuring modified-duty assignments that comply with restrictions while keeping the employee productively engaged during recovery.

Common Occupational Injuries We Treat

Sprains & strains
Back & neck injuries
Lacerations & wounds
Fractures (non-surgical)
Repetitive motion injuries
Chemical exposures
Eye injuries
Noise-induced hearing loss

On-Site Corporate Wellness Programs

Healthy employees are more productive, miss fewer days, and cost less to insure. Our corporate wellness days bring preventive healthcare directly to your workplace, minimizing disruption and maximizing participation.

Vaccination

Seasonal Flu Shot Clinics

On-site administration of seasonal influenza vaccines for your entire workforce. We handle scheduling, consenting, and documentation. Available September through March. Accommodates large teams efficiently.

Screening

Biometric Screenings

Rapid point-of-care measurement of key health indicators: blood pressure, BMI, cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL), fasting glucose, and waist circumference. Results are provided immediately with aggregate population reports available.

Cardiovascular

Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular Checks

Hypertension is the “silent killer” — millions of Americans are unaware they have it. Rapid blood pressure checks with physician-guided interpretation identify employees who need follow-up before serious events occur.

Infectious Disease

TB & Infectious Disease Screening

On-site TB testing (TST placement and reading, or blood draw for IGRA) for healthcare and high-risk workforces. Supports annual healthcare worker health programs and new-employee clearance requirements.

Education

Health Education & Counseling

Brief physician-led health counseling for employees with identified risk factors. Covers nutrition, physical activity, stress management, and medication adherence. Connects at-risk employees with appropriate follow-up resources.

Logistics

Flexible Scheduling for Any Team Size

We schedule wellness events around your work shifts and operational calendar. Whether you have 10 employees or 500, we adapt to your workflow. Single-day events or multi-day rotations are both available.

Occupational Vaccinations

OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) requires employers to offer Hepatitis B vaccination to all employees with occupational exposure risk at no cost. Beyond compliance, CDC-recommended vaccines protect your workforce against preventable disease and reduce absenteeism.

Vaccine Who It’s For Schedule / Notes
Influenza (Flu) All employees; especially healthcare workers, food handlers, and those in congregate settings Annual; September–March. Available for on-site clinic delivery.
Hepatitis B (HepB) Healthcare workers, laboratory staff, first responders, and any employee with potential blood/body fluid exposure 3-dose series (0, 1, 6 months). Titer verification recommended 1–2 months after series completion. Mandated by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030.
Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) All employees who have not received a Tdap booster as an adult; especially construction workers, healthcare personnel, and those working with infants One-time Tdap booster; Td booster every 10 years thereafter. Per ACIP adult immunization schedule.
Hepatitis A (HepA) Food service workers; employees traveling internationally; those working in sanitation or wastewater 2-dose series (0, 6–18 months). Per ACIP recommendations for occupational risk groups.
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) Healthcare workers; laboratory staff; employees born after 1957 without documented immunity 2-dose series if no documented prior vaccination or immunity. Titer check first to confirm non-immune status.
Varicella (Chickenpox) Healthcare workers and employees without documented immunity or prior disease 2-dose series for susceptible adults. Pre-vaccination titer check recommended.
Meningococcal Laboratory personnel working with Neisseria meningitidis; military personnel; college employees in dormitory settings Per ACIP occupational and exposure guidelines. Booster at 5 years if continued risk.
Rabies (Pre-Exposure) Veterinary staff, wildlife biologists, animal control officers, laboratory workers handling rabies virus 3-dose pre-exposure series (0, 7, 21–28 days); titer checks per exposure risk level.

ACIP-Based Vaccination Guidance

All vaccine recommendations follow the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) guidelines adopted by the CDC. ACIP recommendations become official CDC policy and inform OSHA compliance requirements for occupationally exposed workers. We stay current with ACIP updates to ensure your program reflects the latest evidence. For detailed schedules, see the CDC ACIP Recommendations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to common questions from HR managers, safety officers, and business owners exploring occupational health programs.

What is included in a pre-employment physical?

Our pre-employment physicals include a complete medical history review, vital signs (height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, BMI), vision testing (distance, near, color, depth perception), hearing test, urinalysis, and musculoskeletal evaluation. Additional components — respirator fit testing, color vision testing, lift testing, pulmonary function tests, drug screening — are added based on the specific job requirements you provide. We work with your HR or EHS team to define the right protocol for each job category before testing begins.

What OSHA surveillance programs do you support?

We support surveillance programs for respiratory hazard exposure (29 CFR 1910.134), occupational noise (29 CFR 1910.95), bloodborne pathogens (29 CFR 1910.1030), and chemical/hazardous substance exposures under specific OSHA standards. We also support TB surveillance for healthcare and high-risk workforces and ergonomic/musculoskeletal surveillance for repetitive-motion environments. Each program includes the required initial and periodic medical evaluations, documentation, and employee notification components.

What is a respirator fit test and how often is it required?

A respirator fit test verifies that a specific respirator model forms an adequate seal on an individual employee’s face, as required by OSHA 29 CFR 1910.134. Any employee required to wear a tight-fitting facepiece respirator — including N95 filtering facepieces, half-face respirators, and full-face respirators — must be fit tested before initial use and annually thereafter. A new fit test is also required whenever the employee reports that the seal may have been compromised (e.g., significant weight change, facial surgery, or dental changes).

We perform both qualitative (QLFT) fit tests (using a test agent such as saccharin or BitrexTM) and quantitative (QNFT) fit tests using a PortaCount instrument. Each employee also receives a medical evaluation questionnaire before fit testing to ensure there are no contraindications to respirator use.

Do you handle workers’ compensation cases?

Yes. We evaluate and treat occupational injuries and illnesses, provide ICD-10 coded diagnoses, document work status at each visit (full duty, modified duty, or temporary total disability), and coordinate with specialists as needed. All reports are formatted for Maryland Workers’ Compensation Commission (WCC) requirements and structured for prompt processing by HR and insurer case managers. We communicate directly with case managers to minimize administrative delays.

What drug panels do you offer?

We offer 5-panel, 10-panel, and 16-panel urine drug screens for general employment screening. We perform pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable-suspicion testing. All specimens are collected with full chain-of-custody procedures. Results are reported to employers within standard laboratory turnaround times.

Can you come to our workplace for wellness events?

Yes. We coordinate on-site corporate wellness days including seasonal flu shot clinics, blood pressure screenings, biometric screenings (BMI, cholesterol, glucose), and TB testing. On-site services reduce time away from work and dramatically increase employee participation compared to off-site programs. We accommodate teams of all sizes and can schedule around your work shifts and operational calendar. Call (301) 208-2273 to discuss an on-site event.

How do I set up a corporate account for ongoing occupational health services?

Call our office at (301) 208-2273 or request a consultation online. Dr. Kessous will review your industry, workforce size, applicable OSHA standards, and any existing occupational health program to build a tailored service agreement. We offer flexible scheduling, clear turnaround times for reports, and a single physician-led point of contact so your HR team always knows exactly who to call.

What is the difference between medical screening and medical surveillance?

These terms are often used interchangeably, but they describe distinct concepts. Medical screening is a one-time clinical event focused on identifying conditions in an individual — for example, a pre-employment physical or a pre-placement exam. Its purpose is individual diagnosis and clinical care.

Medical surveillance is an ongoing program applied to a group of workers exposed to specific hazards. Its purpose is to detect population-level trends, identify early signs of occupational disease before they become disabling, and eliminate or control the underlying workplace hazards driving those trends. OSHA’s medical surveillance requirements are largely clinically focused but exist within this prevention-oriented framework.

Ready to Build Your Corporate Health Program?

Dr. Kessous works directly with your HR and safety teams to design a program that fits your industry, workforce, and budget. One call is all it takes to get started.