Purpose
Pre-placement evaluations explore the physical demands and environmental hazards of an applicant’s proposed position. They are vital to ensure the safety of employees and the patients and/or animals they encounter.
Eligibility
Preplacement evaluations are provided for onboarding federal employees or fellows if any of the following applies to them:
- Works with infectious agents,
- Works with highly toxic agents,
- Works with human or nonhuman primate body fluids,
- Works in areas that patients may visit,
- Works in areas housing or visited by animals used in research,
- Works in Building 10,
- Works as a firefighter or police officer,
- Works in areas with potential exposure to noises above 85dB or louder during an eight-hour workday, or
- Works in areas with potential exposure to significant concentrations of airborne asbestos.
To initiate this evaluation, an Administrative Officer or Supervisor must submit the Request for Medical Determination and Report of Findings (750-2) and the Medical Qualification Determination Questionnaire (750-3). Once received by OMS, a staff member will contact the employee.
What Happens During the Appointment
During the evaluation, OMS staff provide work-related health and safety advice, offer appropriate vaccines, and enroll the individual in applicable OMS surveillance programs. They will also review the individual's personal medical and immunization history.
This service is provided year-round, by appointment only. Prospective employees may schedule their evaluations at our main NIH campus, at one of our satellite campuses (depending upon work location), or set up a virtual meeting (an in-person follow-up appointment may be necessary).
