Medically reviewed by the clinical team at Immediate Care Center of Westmont · Published July 23, 2026 · Last reviewed July 23, 2026
At Immediate Care Center of Westmont, our walk-in clinic helps local employers and job seekers across DuPage County complete pre-employment physicals quickly and accurately. With two Westmont locations serving Downers Grove, Hinsdale, Oak Brook, Darien, Clarendon Hills, Willowbrook, La Grange, and Villa Park, we handle occupational medicine every day — including pre-employment exams and non-DOT drug testing. If you have a new job offer that is contingent on passing a physical, this guide explains exactly what a pre-employment physical typically includes so you can walk in prepared.
A pre-employment physical is a health screening an employer requires before you start a new role. Its purpose is not to judge your overall lifestyle or to disqualify you for minor issues. Instead, it confirms that you are medically able to perform the essential functions of the specific job safely — for you, your coworkers, and the public. Employers commonly request these exams for roles that involve lifting, driving company vehicles, operating machinery, working around chemicals, or providing patient care.
The exact components vary based on the job, the employer’s policy, and any industry regulations that apply. A warehouse role and an office role may both require a physical, but the warehouse exam may add a lifting or musculoskeletal assessment. Because the content is tailored, it is always a good idea to bring the paperwork or checklist your employer provided so the clinician completes exactly what is required.
Please note: Immediate Care Center of Westmont provides non-DOT occupational exams and drug testing only. We do not perform DOT, CDL, or FMCSA physicals or DOT-regulated drug testing. If your employer specifically requires a federally regulated DOT physical, you will need a DOT-certified examiner elsewhere.
While every exam is customized, most pre-employment physicals draw from a common set of components. A clinician typically inspects, listens to, and evaluates the body’s major systems — a standard clinical approach described by the MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Here is what you can generally expect.
You will complete a health questionnaire covering past illnesses, surgeries, current medications, allergies, and any ongoing conditions. Be honest and thorough. A well-managed chronic condition rarely stops you from being cleared, but withholding information can create problems later. This is also the moment to disclose any prescription medications, which matters if a drug screen is part of the exam.
Expect measurement of your blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature. These baseline readings help the clinician gauge your general cardiovascular and overall health on the day of the exam.
Basic body measurements are recorded. For most jobs these are informational; for physically demanding roles they may help contextualize a functional assessment.
Many employers request a basic vision test, and some — especially for roles involving driving, machinery, or loud environments — add a hearing screening. These confirm you can safely see and hear well enough to perform job duties.
The clinician performs a general exam that may include listening to your heart and lungs, checking your abdomen, evaluating your skin, testing reflexes and range of motion, and assessing your musculoskeletal system. For labor-intensive jobs, this often includes a closer look at your back, joints, and mobility.
Many employers pair the physical with a workplace drug screen. This is usually a urine test, and the panel is chosen by the employer. Our non-DOT drug testing service covers common workplace panels. If you take prescription medication, disclose it at the time of testing so a valid prescription can be documented.
Because we keep lab and imaging under one roof, many employees can complete their exam and required testing in a single visit rather than being sent to multiple facilities. That convenience matters when a start date is close and paperwork needs to be turned around quickly. Keep in mind that not every exam includes every item listed above — the final checklist is driven entirely by the employer’s requirements and the demands of the specific role, so two people applying to different jobs may have very different visits.
A little preparation makes the visit faster and reduces the chance of a repeat trip:
Routine preventive checkups follow a similar framework of history, vitals, and a physical exam; the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus Health Checkup resource offers helpful background on what these evaluations involve.
Most pre-employment physicals end with one of a few outcomes: cleared to work, cleared with accommodations, or a request for follow-up before a decision is made. Being asked for follow-up is not the same as being denied — it often simply means the clinician wants a specialist’s note, a repeat reading, or documentation of a prescription. Many common, well-controlled conditions do not stand in the way of clearance. To learn more about the factors that can affect an outcome, see our related guide on what can disqualify you from a pre-employment physical.
A pre-employment physical is a routine, low-risk visit. However, if you are ever experiencing chest pain, difficulty breathing, sudden weakness or numbness, fainting, or another sudden severe symptom, this is a medical emergency — call 911 immediately rather than waiting for a scheduled exam.
Most exams take roughly 30 to 60 minutes, depending on how many components the employer requires and whether a drug screen or labs are included. As a walk-in clinic, we work to keep visits efficient, though wait times vary with volume.
No. Immediate Care Center of Westmont is a walk-in urgent care, so you can come in during open hours. You can also use our online check-in to save time before you arrive.
Only if your employer requests one. When it does, we perform non-DOT workplace drug screening. Remember to disclose any prescription medications at the time of testing.
Costs depend on the specific tests your employer requires and how billing is arranged. We do not publish a single flat price here because packages differ. For current details, please visit our cost and insurance page or call us directly.
Ready to complete your exam? Immediate Care Center of Westmont offers walk-in occupational medicine services at two convenient Westmont locations for employers and employees throughout DuPage County. We are open Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 6 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Walk in, check in online, or call us at (630) 324-6825 with questions about your required tests. Bring your employer’s paperwork and we will take care of the rest.
This page is for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911.
Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
