(a) An applicant selected from the eligibility list shall receive a conditional offer of employment. The offer of employment shall be conditioned upon the conditional appointee undergoing a physical and psychological medical examination and a determination that the conditional appointee is capable of performing all the essential functions of the position. Physical medical examinations shall be under the direction of a physician or other qualified medical professional. Psychological medical examinations shall be under the direction of a psychiatrist or psychologist.

(b) The physician or other qualified medical professional and the psychiatrist or psychologist shall be appointed by council and shall render an opinion as to whether the conditional appointee has a physical or mental condition which calls into question the person's ability to perform all of the essential functions of the position for which the person was conditionally appointed.

(c) If the opinion rendered by the physician, other qualified medical professional, psychiatrist or psychologist calls into question the conditional appointee's ability to perform all essential functions of a position, a person designated by the appointing officer or body shall meet with the conditional appointee for the purpose of having one or more interactive discussions on whether the conditional appointee can, with or without reasonable accommodation, perform all of the essential functions of the position.

(d) If, at the conclusion of the interactive discussion under subsection (c), the appointing officer or body determines that the conditional appointee is not qualified, the appointing officer or body shall give written notice to the conditional appointee and the commission.

(e) Nothing in this act shall be construed to authorize physical or psychological medical examinations prior to conditional appointment.

(f) As used in this section, the following definitions shall apply:

“Medical examination” shall mean an examination, procedure, inquiry or test designed to obtain information about medical history or a physical or mental condition which might disqualify an applicant if it would prevent the applicant from performing, with or without a reasonable accommodation, all of the essential functions of the position.

“Physician” shall have the meaning given to it in 1 Pa.C.S. § 1991 (relating to definitions).

“Qualified medical professional” shall mean an individual, in collaboration with or under the supervision or direction of a physician, as may be required by law, who is licensed: