Business name: Columbia River Occupational Health.
Each week, The Columbian offers a brief snapshot of an interesting Clark County business. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.
Owner and medical director: Dr. Craig Thompson.
Clinic manager and marketing: Charise Brenes.
Address: 2621 N.E. 134th St., Suite 310, Vancouver.
What the business does: Columbia River Occupational Health serves regional employers in preventing illness and injury in the workplace. It also treats injured patients and helps those patients return to work. The company conducts fitness-for-duty evaluations to help workers return to work in a time-appropriate manner. Columbia River Occupational also provides training to address potential workplace hazards, reducing a company’s risk.
Some of the tests the occupational health firm offers include preplacement examinations, surveillance examinations, travel medicine, drug and alcohol testing, respirator certifications and audiograms. Thompson is one of a few senior aerospace medical examiners in the area qualified to perform airline first-, second- and third-class airmen exams.
Steps to build the business as the economy recovers: Clinic Manager Charise Brenes said the company offers a lot of support to its clients at no additional charge. It helps by determining what services clients need and by making an effort to be fair so it can retain clients. Brenes said she has increased marketing in the local business community to build the company’s customer base.
