River Oaks Hospital has opened an occupational health and wellness clinic in Pearl just off Interstate 20 near the Jackson Airport. CarePlus Occupational Medicine Clinic represents River Oaks’ commitment to assist industries by providing comprehensive, convenient solutions for health care and human resource needs, explained Dennis Bruns, chief executive officer of River Oaks Hospital.
“Care Plus, staffed by a board-certified emergency medicine physician and an experienced nursing and support staff, can provide a broad range of pre-employment screening services, quickly treat workplace injuries and offer post-injury care,” said Bruns.
The clinic’s primary physician is Steven Chouteau, MD., an emergency medicine specialist with more than 30 years of experience in treating Jackson-area patients. Dr Chouteau is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine and has served as Flowood River Oaks and Crossgates River Oaks Emergency Departments Medical Directors. He has served as Chief of Staff for Crossgates River Oaks Hospital while serving as Director of Rankin County Emergency Response Team.
Services at CarePlus include pre-employment and DOT physical examinations; return to work and post-accident exams; workers’ compensation injury evaluation and treatment; drug and alcohol testing (DOT and non-DOT); breath alcohol testing; employee health and wellness programs; and annual employee health screenings.
Additional services available at the clinic include vision and audiology exams and independent medical exams.
“Waiting for pre-employment screening results can decrease productivity for employers,” Bruns said. “Additionally, employees may postpone treatment for job-related injuries due to the long waits for treatment at many clinics and emergency rooms. We offer convenient, comprehensive medical services designed to prohibit the potentially-negative effects of both of those scenarios.”
Bruns added the clinic’s goals are two-fold: assist employers with their pre-employment and human resources needs and help employees return to work as soon as it is medically appropriate while training them to prevent re-injury.
“As an employer, we understand how important it is for companies to protect the health, safety, and well-being of their employees,” Bruns said. “Therefore, we focus on helping companies minimize accidents and illnesses in order to maximize efficiency and productivity.”
Bruns said employees required to undergo annual exams to meet mandatory requirements or to gauge occupational stressors will benefit from seeing the same physician and staff. Employers can quickly compare annual test results when treatment or assessment is provided at one location by the same physician.
Unlike many clinics or hospitals, CarePlus patients are seen with minimal waiting time. Even more notable, care and treatment is provided in an illness-free environment. Test results are provided within minutes to both the employee and employer due to CarePlus’ innovative technology
CarePlus offers on-line record access, on-site X-ray and EKG services. When necessary, physical therapy, advanced diagnostic testing and hospitalization are readily available. Due to Chouteau’s relationship with Jackson-area hospitals, including River Oaks, patients can access medical services when those rare occasions conditions warrant specialists and hospital facilities rather than those of the clinic.
CarePlus is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. The clinic does accept appointments, but walk-ins are welcome.No doctor’s referral is necessary. For more information, contact CarePlus Occupational Medicine at 601-936-0669.
