Occupational Medicine at St. Joseph Health - Bryan, TX

Imaging is the use of technology to obtain images of inside the body. There are a variety of imaging technologies, such as ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT) scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Occupational Medicine, sometimes called Occupational Health, refers to physicians trained to diagnose and treat work-related injuries. Our occupational health and wellness services are available 24/7 to ensure your workplace is a safe and productive space for your employees.

A specialized test that assesses one’s ability to move quickly and change directions in response to a stimulus. Agility tests are a requirement for certain types of jobs to ensure the applicant can effectively perform the necessary tasks associated with the position.

Audiometry is a branch of audiology and the science of measuring hearing acuity for variations in sound intensity and pitch and for tonal purity.

Essential preventative care with just a prick of the finger, biometric screenings identify the levels of glucose (or blood sugar level) and lipids (HDL, LDL, and total cholesterol) in the blood to offer a detailed picture of the presence, progression, and severity of conditions like diabetes and heart disease.

Blood pressure is the force at which blood moves through the circulatory system, delivering oxygen and nutrients and to vital tissues and organs in the body. High blood pressure (or hypertension) can increase your chance for serious health conditions such as heart disease, a heart attack, or stroke, while low blood pressure can deprive the body of oxygen, resulting in damage to the heart or brain.

BMI (or body mass index) is the measurement of body fat in relation to a person’s height and weight. A BMI test can identify whether an individual is underweight, healthy weight, overweight, or obese.

Breath alcohol testing is used to determine how much alcohol is currently in the blood. The BAT is frequently used by employers, such as the Department of Transportation, as a pre-employment screening.

DOT drug screens — called such for the Department of Transportation’s requirements (e.g., for commercial drivers), but applicable for regulated, “safety-sensitive” workplaces — are urine tests that check for five classes of drugs: amphetamines and methamphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, opiates, and phencyclidine (PCP).

Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exams and drug screening are mandated tests for regulated, “safety sensitive” occupations such as commercial driving. The physical must be performed by a certified medical examiner and checks for physical, and mental/emotional wellness. The drug test checks for five classes of federally restricted drugs.

DOT physicals are required for commercial drivers by the Department of Transportation (and many other regulated workplaces), and must be performed by a certified medical examiner. Required every 24 months, DOT physicals thoroughly evaluate vision and hearing, as well as respiratory and heart health and any neurological or musculoskeletal conditions.

An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) records electrical signals from your heart to check for heart conditions.

Flu shots introduce parts of different flu viruses into the body and this causes the immune system to detect and destroy these viruses.

Hepatitis A and B are communicable liver diseases (“hepatitis” means inflammation of the liver). Although they have similar symptoms, they are caused by distinct viruses and have different transmission routes and durations of illness; Hep A is short-term, but Hep B can become chronic. There are vaccines to prevent both Hepatitis A and B.

Immunizations are shots that you receive to help protect you against viral and bacterial illnesses. In the U.S. and other developed countries, there are immunization schedules for children to ensure they are protected. Immunizations are also given to people before they travel to countries in which infectious disease is an issue.

Lab work involves the medical testing of patient samples. Tests are conducted on medical specimens such as blood, urine, and stool samples and samples of tissue for biopsy. The tests are run to obtain health information on the patient.

The MMR is a highly effective two-dose vaccine to prevent measles, mumps, and rubella. The CDC recommends children receive the first dose at 12- to 15-months-old, and the second dose at 4- to 6-years-old (or earlier). Adults not vaccinated as children should also receive the MMR vaccine.

Non-DOT drug screens are employer-mandated drug screens for industries not governed by the Department of Transportation. The drugs tested for are determined by individual employers, and may be the same five-drug panel as the DOT screens, or may screen for additional (up to 10) drugs.

Non-DOT physical exams and drug screening are used by employers not governed by the Department of Transportation to determine employee’s physical capability of performing the job. Non-DOT physicals consider factors like strength, range of motion, and cardiovascular and functional fitness. Non-DOT drug screening tests urine for five to 10 drugs.

On-the-job injury care is an important area of workplace medical care to mitigate injuries and expedite recovery. It involves employee evaluation, education, and coordinated-care treatment plans to help injured employees regain normal daily function as quickly and sustainably as safely possible.

A physical exam is a routine test a person undergoes to check their general health status. It is typically performed by a primary care physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner and includes checking vitals, such as a person's weight, blood pressure, lungs, heart, and reflexes, and blood tests to check for things such as cholesterol, iron, and blood sugar levels.

The PPD (purified protein derivative) skin test is a diagnostic tool to check for tuberculosis (TB), particularly latent (non-active) TB, as it can last for years in the body and become active at any time. The PPD/TB test requires two visits to the doctor’s office, first for the PPD injection, and then in 48 to 72 hours for examination of the injection site.

Respirator fit testing is required by the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) to be completed regularly in any work settings where employees are exposed to potentially harmful fumes, gases, or dusts. Respirators are tested for comfort and a tight fit without any leaks. The same make of respirator tested must be worn on-site.

Screenings are preventative diagnostic medical procedures to identify diseases and the likelihood of their development before symptoms are present, e.g., for diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and various cancers. Screening frequency and timeline vary by sex, age, and family history.

Spirometry testing, or pulmonary function testing (PFT), measures how well the lungs move air in and out, as well as how much air is in the lungs. Spirometry is used to diagnose, monitor changes in, and guide treatment of lung diseases.

The Tdap vaccine is named for/can prevent tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis. The CDC recommends every person more than 7-years-old receive the Tdap vaccine. The shot is ideally administered at 11- or 12-years-old, during each pregnancy, and as a booster every 10 years (five years in cases of exposure to tetanus).

Varicella (chickenpox) is an infectious viral disease causing itchy skin lesions and rash. Once infected, the virus stays in the body as a latent infection, preventing re-infection, but reactivation shows up as shingles. There is a vaccine to prevent varicella.

Vision testing (an eye exam) screens for eye diseases and any vision issues. An eye doctor conducts a series of tests designed to detect conditions such as amblyopia (lazy eye), strabismus (crossed eyes), myopia (nearsightedness), (hyperopia) farsightedness (hyperopia), colorblindness, and astigmatism.