DOT Physical Specialist
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Christos Doctors Inn Walk In Healthcare
Dermatologist & Family Medicine Physician located in Lauderdale Lakes, FL & Lauderhill, FL
Certain careers that require commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) or those considered “safety sensitive” require Department of Transport (DOT) physicals to ensure you’re fit and healthy enough to perform the duties of your job. Dr. Christopher Smith is a physician licensed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to provide DOT physicals at Christos Doctors Inn Walk In Health Care in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida. He maintains a current and detailed understanding of DOT regulations so he can quickly and accurately complete your physical paperwork. If you need a DOT physical, call or schedule an appointment online today.
DOT Physical Q & A
What is a DOT physical?
Some careers are considered to be “safety sensitive.” This means that what you do has an impact on not only your own personal safety but also the safety of the public. If your career is “safety sensitive” or if it requires a CDL, the DOT requires that you have a physical every two years to ensure you are fit and well enough to perform the duties of your job without putting public safety at risk.
What happens during a DOT physical?
A DOT physical is similar to what you experience at your routine annual physical with additional tests for vision and hearing. Dr. Smith begins your exam by checking your height, weight, and blood pressure. He takes blood and urine samples to check for conditions like high cholesterol and diabetes.
He listens to your heart and lungs and then looks into your eyes, ears, nose, and throat. He palpates your abdomen and lymph nodes and also checks for any musculoskeletal issues with your spine, arms, and legs.
Dr. Smith also checks your vision and hearing looking for signs of issues like glaucoma or macular degeneration and scarring or perforation of your eardrum. In terms of vision, you must have acuity of at least 20/40 with or without corrective lenses. You also need to be able to hear a forced whisper at a distance of 5 feet, with or without a hearing aid.
Does a DOT physical include a drug test?
The DOT doesn’t require a blood test, but your individual employer might. You can have your drug screening completed at the same time as your DOT physical and lab work.
What should I bring to a DOT physical?
You may need to bring a variety of documents and materials to your DOT physical, including a list of any medications you’re taking and your doctors’ names and addresses. You should also bring any eyeglasses, contact lenses, or hearing aids. If you have diabetes, Dr. Smith will need to see your most recent lab results from your hemoglobin A1C screening and your blood sugar log. If you have any heart issues, Dr. Smith will also need a letter from your cardiologist that outlines your medical history and current medications and clears you for work from a cardiology point of view.
If you need a DOT physical, call or schedule an appointment online today.
