Medical visits
Useful information before your occupational health visit (PDF)
Occupational health monitoring
Click on each examination type to find out more.
Initial medical examination
Regardless of the type or duration of your contract, as an employed member of personnel (MPE), you must undergo an initial medical examination. This examination may also be prescribed for MPAt depending on exposure to risk or the functions performed.
This examination includes the following:
- An interview with a nurse, also including examinations such as blood tests (if requested during the appointment), urine test, vital signs (height, weight, blood pressure), vision test, etc.
- A consultation with the occupational health doctor
Additional examinations may be prescribed by the occupational health doctor based on the specific occupational risks to which you may be exposed.
At the end of this consultation, the schedule of periodic medical examinations will be established and may be adjusted based on events in your personal or professional life.
For this examination, it is imperative to bring your vaccination record or copies, as well as, if applicable, your corrective lenses.
Periodic medical examination
As an MPE or MPAt (depending on your exposure to risk), you will be called for a periodic medical examination according to the schedule established by the occupational physician, based on your exposure to risk or the functions performed.
This examination includes the following:
- An interview with a nurse, also including examinations such as blood tests (if requested during the appointment), urine test, vital signs (height, weight, blood pressure), vision test, etc.
- A consultation with the occupational health doctor
Additional examinations, such as specific biometrics, may be prescribed by the occupational health doctor based on the occupational risks to which you may be exposed.
For this examination, it is imperative to bring your vaccination record or copies, as well as, if applicable, your corrective lenses.
Return-to-work medical examination
As an MPE or MPAt (depending on your exposure to risk), a return-to-work medical examination is mandatory in the following cases (see the SRR):
- After an absence due to a work accident, commuting accident or occupational illness.
- After an absence if the medical certificate contains a reservation regarding your ability to work.
- After an absence of more than 21 days due to a non-occupational illness or accident.
For this examination, you must contact the medical service secretariat by:
Phone: +41 22 76 73186
Email: medical.service@cern.ch
to make an appointment, in accordance with the Staff Rules & Regulations, Chapter II – Section 4, Article 20.
To facilitate your return to work, it is possible to organise, in advance, a pre-return visit with the occupational health doctor. This meeting will allow for an assessment of the necessary adjustments, such as adaptations to your workstation, reorganisation of your schedule or identification of restrictions to be put in place, depending on your state of health and if necessary.
End-of-contract medical formalities
Before leaving CERN, as an MPE or MPAt (depending on your exposure to risk), you must complete the end-of-contract medical formalities, depending on your exposure to risk or the functions performed.
Failing this, the procedures relating to recognising a disability or an occupational illness or accident may be affected (because the Organization lacks evidence of the medical situation at the end of the contract).
For MPEs and MPAt who leave CERN at the end of a fixed-term contract and who have not been subject to enhanced individual medical monitoring, with medical examinations every two years at most, then the end-of-contract medical formalities consist of a health questionnaire. It is sent by the Medical Service secretariat and reviewed by the occupational physician. A medical examination may be organised, if necessary.
For MPEs and MPAt who leave CERN at the end of an indefinite contract or who have been subject to enhanced individual medical monitoring, with medical examinations every two years at most, then the end-of-contract medical formalities include a medical examination.
It includes the following:
- An interview with a nurse, also including examinations such as blood tests (if requested during the appointment), urine test, vital signs (height, weight, blood pressure), vision test, etc.:
- A consultation with the occupational health doctor
Additional examinations, such as specific biometrics, may be prescribed by the occupational health doctor based on the occupational risks to which you have been exposed or the functions performed.
For this examination, it is imperative to bring your vaccination record or copies, as well as, if applicable, your corrective lenses.
In the event of absence from this examination, the procedures related to the recognition of disability, illness or occupational accident could be affected, as the Organization does not have conclusive medical evidence at the time of termination of the contract.
For more details, consult the admin e-guide and the brochure “When you leave CERN“.
Other services
Click on each examination type to find out more.
Consultations on request:
As an MPE or MPAt (depending on your exposure to risk), you can request or be referred for a medical consultation with the occupational health doctor for work-related problems, both at your own request and at the request of your management or the occupational health doctor.
To book this examination, you can contact the medical service secretariat either by 📞Phone: +4122 76 73186 or 📧Email: medical.service@cern.ch to make an appointment.
Medical examination for duty travel abroad:
As an MPE or MPAt (depending on your exposure to risk), if you are planning an official trip to a country with endemic risk or if your health condition requires it, you must have a medical examination before your departure.
During this consultation, the occupational health doctor will assess your health to ensure that you are fit to travel and provide you with all prevention advice specific to your professional destination.
Before this examination, it is essential that you contact International SOS for preliminary advice and information, as indicated in the Admin e-guide. This step must be taken before consulting the CERN occupational health doctor.
If vaccination is necessary, it must be done at least 4 weeks before your departure. The necessary vaccines and medications will be prescribed to you at the end of the medical consultation by the occupational health doctor.
Vaccinations can be administered at the infirmary, except for yellow fever vaccination, which must be done at a reference vaccination center, such as the tropical and travel medicine service of the Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève (HUG).
To book this examination, you can contact the medical service secretariat either by 📞Phone: +4122 76 73186 or 📧Email: medical.service@cern.ch to make an appointment.
Specific Aptitude Medical Examination:
As an MPE or MPAt (depending on your exposure to risk), you can request a medical examination for specific aptitudes as required for professional activities involving particular risks, and requiring authorization (for example, work with lifting equipment, electrical authorization, etc.).
During this examination, the occupational health doctor assesses your aptitude to perform these specialized tasks and ensures that no medical contraindication compromises your ability to perform them safely.
To book this examination, you can contact the medical service secretariat either by 📞Phone: +4122 76 73186 or 📧Email: medical.service@cern.ch to make an appointment.
Workstation visit / ergonomic visit:
As an MPE or MPAt (depending on your exposure to risk), a workstation visit and/or ergonomic visit may be offered to you by the occupational health doctor following a medical examination, or by the nursing staff after care at the infirmary, if a work-related problem is identified or suspected.
The occupational health doctor or nurse will then conduct a study of your workstation, sometimes in collaboration with an HSE specialist, if specific measures are necessary.
At the end of this visit, the occupational health doctor will make recommendations to you, including advice and/or adaptations to your workstation to improve your comfort and well-being at work.
To book this examination, you can contact the medical service secretariat either by 📞Phone: +4122 76 73186 or 📧Email: medical.service@cern.ch to make an appointment.