A pre-placement health assessment, carried out by Occupational Health, assesses if you are medically fit to do the job.
The assessment is by questionnaire, and if necessary, a medical consultation. This checks your physical and mental ability to safely do the job.
You will be sent the form during the application process.
You should disclose any underlying health conditions. If you give false information your application may get rejected or your contract may be affected.
You must fill in all sections of the form. Return it to Occupational Health along with relevant immunisation information.
Attending the Occupational Health service
Assessing your fitness to do the job is usually based on your filled-in questionnaire.
Depending on your medical history, or the work you will be doing, you may get asked for a:
- GP report
- specialist report
- medical assessment from the occupational health doctor
When the criteria is met, a fitness to work certificate will be sent to your manager or HR.
Confidentiality
The fitness to work certificate will be sent to either your manager, HR, or the recruiting officer. The first section of the form shows who will receive it.
The certificate outlines your fitness for the role and includes any recommendations. No medical details are disclosed. Your medical information is kept confidential with Occupational Health.
Your data protection and occupational health
Doctors Integrated Management E-System (DIME)
Doctors can use the DIME database to share registration details, training, and employment history with prospective HSE employers.
Using the occupational health module in DIME, you can complete:
- employment history
- sickness absence
- health and ability declaration
Complete all mandatory sections and send to your Occupational Health department for verification.
As an NCHD, you can use the system to upload your immunisation documentation.
Only laboratory evidence and vaccinations performed in the Republic of Ireland or the United Kingdom are currently accepted.
For NCHD roles that require Exposure Prone Procedure (EPP) clearance, you may need additional blood tests and vaccinations. This may also be required for Interns.
NDTP Doctors Integrated Management E-System - more information and user guides.
Immunisation screening and vaccinations
Immunisation screening ensures you have adequate protection against certain infectious diseases. This is to safeguard your health and the health of service users.
Immunisation evidence is usually required for:
- BCG or evidence of immunity to Tuberculosis (TB)
- Hepatitis B antibodies
- Varicella
- Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)
Required immunisation screening and vaccinations
The required immunisation screening and vaccinations depends on your job.
Vaccination requirements are based on risk assessments.
These may differ based on the role. For example, a catering assistant in the canteen kitchen may not need vaccinations, but one on a ward may need them due to higher infection risk.
If your work duties change, you may need to complete a risk assessment. You can arrange vaccinations through Occupational Health.
Get further guidance on vaccinations in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland (chapter 4).
Getting your vaccinations
If you do not have the recommended vaccinations for your role, you can get them through Occupational Health. This can be done after you start working in the HSE.
After Occupational Health complete your vaccinations, an immunisation report is sent to you. Keep this report safe, as you will need it for future healthcare jobs.
Screening and pre-placement assessment
Prospective employees must submit evidence of previous immunisation. This will not hold up the pre-placement assessment process unless the post requires EPP certification. See exposure prone procedure (EPP).
Declining to get vaccinated
You can decline to get vaccinated. If you decline vaccination you must sign a declination form.
Depending on the risk to you and service users, you may be restricted from working in certain areas.
Getting vaccinated protects you and others around you.
Exposure prone procedure (EPP)
Exposure prone procedures (EPP) are tasks where an injury to the worker could expose a patient’s open tissues to the worker’s blood.
These procedures include times when a worker’s gloved hand inside a patient’s open body cavity or wound may touch:
- sharp instruments
- needle tips
- sharp tissues (spicules of bone or teeth)
This includes work where the hands or fingertips can’t always be seen, such as for surgeons, dentists, or midwives.
Exposure prone procedure (EPP) clearance
EPP healthcare workers must have one of the following:
- EPP certification
- evidence of relevant blood test results from an ‘Identified Validated Sample’ (IVS)
If you don't have either, you must attend Occupational Health for IVS blood tests.
Bring a passport or driver's licence for ID. This is needed to validate the blood sample. The clinician taking the blood will photocopy and sign your ID.
Your recruitment contact will tell you if your role needs EPP clearance. If it does, you cannot be certified fit for the job until your blood test results are available.
Related content
BBV Integrated Guidance Management - FAQs for Occupational Health (PDF, 120 KB, 6 pages)