Medical screenings catch potential medical issues before a candidate ever steps foot on a project site, saving organizations costs in the long run. On top of that, government bodies often require screenings for certain types of work performed by their employees or the employees of their contractors.
Medical screenings are always a good idea and are frequently required because they can reduce cost and recordables for any future project. However, coordinating them for candidates is a time-consuming and tedious process that can cause employers unnecessary frustration while managing the administrative paperwork and navigating HIPAA regulations. This is particularly true when applicants are sourced from across the U.S., and even more so when they’re international.
At Remote Medical International, we offer two primary types of screening coordination, each with their own pros and cons. Home of record screening coordination and batch processing screening coordination are available for processing candidates across the U.S. and the globe.
Home of Record Screenings
Home of record screenings take place at, or near, where a job candidate lives. Doing medical screenings at a candidate’s home of record is generally the best option when hiring is sporadic. The candidate can attend appointments in their city and save the hiring company the cost of travel expenses, should the candidate not pass the exam. Whether you are hiring expatriates or local nationals for a project, one of the unique complexities of the screening process is that candidates often no longer live at the address human resources has on file for them. This can slow down the process, as medical screening coordinators need to verify a candidate’s current address before scheduling any appointments.
Another thing to keep in mind is that it’s often difficult to schedule home of record screenings for candidates who live in rural areas or have limited time availability for appointments. These candidates may still have to travel several hours to reach a clinic that offers the necessary exams in the required timeframe. This is especially true for screening standards that require multiple exams, such as the Department of Defense MOD 13 standard, which requires physical and dental exams, lab work, and vaccines.
This process for screenings is much easier to implement by working with a screening provider that has an established network of clinics. Without a trusted network, the quality of screenings may not be consistent, and coordinating appointments can be significantly more time-consuming.
Pros:
- Cost-effective when intermittently hiring candidates
- Receive personal service from a medical screening coordinator
Cons:
- Difficult to schedule for candidates in remote areas
- Less control over the consistency of clinics
- Longer processing time
Batch Processing Screenings
Batch processing screenings send job candidates to one location to complete most, or all, of their medical screenings. Additionally, these screenings are often all completed in one day.
There are two primary types of batch processing screenings. The first is a hybrid, where dental exams and lab work are performed at the candidate’s home of record and other exams performed at the batch processing location. The second is a standard, where all necessary exams performed at the batch processing location. Hybrid exams are often preferred as a cost-saving measure, as candidates are only sent to the batch processing site once they pass their dental exam and lab work.
One of the benefits of this system is the consistency of using the same clinics for every candidate. On top of that, the process is almost completely identical for every candidate, saving time for the hiring company, clinics, and medical screening coordinators.
The batch processing system is ideal for projects with one job site that is recruiting employees from a relatively small area. Batch processing clinics can even be set up on the project site, which works well when a project is hiring a high number of employees at the same time.
Pros:
- Less processing time
- Most or all appointments are done in one day
Cons:
- More expensive due to candidate travel
- Abnormal screening results can also increase costs
Both home of record and batch processing screenings are great options, and the best option really comes down to the logistics of each individual government project. When choosing between home of record or batch processing screenings, keep these four things in mind:
- Location of project
- Location of job candidates
- Frequency of hiring
- Number and type of required screenings
If you’re in need of medical screening services and are considering home of record or batch processing options, Remote Medical International can help! Contact us today to learn more about which options best suit your needs.
