Surgical employment and HCV

[trustjesuscsfa]

Dear Dr,
I was treated 15 years ago for HCV and have had routine RNA tests which have come back non-detectable. I have had 3 RNA tests from 3 different labs over the past 6 months with the same results. I am a surgical assistant and have been offered a job, which I accepted from a very large hospital institution. I have now been waiting 6 weeks for them to decide on whether or not I am eligible to start orientation. The employee health nurse states that the virus could return at any moment, which I know is false. Is my 30 years experience as a surgical assistant over? This is devastating to me ans my family. I cannot seem to convince the decision makers that antibodies are not contagious. I was honest on my post offer healthcare questionaire because I had a letter from my gastro who stated I was cured and of no risk for transmission. Do not know what to do. Please help.  

[trustjesuscsfa]

No, I am not working! That is the huge problem for me. I shut down my business and anyway, once I exposed my PAST infection, they suspended my assisting privileges until things were settled on what they were going to do. Monday will be the 4th orientation I will be missing if I do not get an authorization this week. They only do orientations every two weeks.

[dontworry_behappy1]

It's not the policy at all hospitals.  I know this to be a fact.  

[trustjesuscsfa]

Does anyone know if this is the policy at ALL hospitals? Need to work to support my family. Does anyone have data that shows(from a reserch or reputable source) that HCV can be cured and eradicated as well as no risk of transmission? If so, please post such info. Thanks

[dontworry_behappy1]

Don't get discouraged.  They are holding your job.  If big university hospital don't think this is a big deal... I'm sure this one will come to the conclusion that it isn't.   I would ask what the policy is on hiring employees who have tested positive for hepatitis C is.  Also, Hepatitis C treatment has made huge advancements and a large population isn't aware of it.  I'm sure policy might have to be re-written in this hospital.  Sounds like you are still working at the hospital so HR is taking their time.  

Let us know what happens.  

[trustjesuscsfa]

....have I "had"?

[trustjesuscsfa]

I was dumped by United Health Care in November. I have no other choice and the surgeons and staff are wonderful. They made me a great offer that I was actually thrilled about. I could no longer survive in the managed care world. Thanks to Obamacare, the squeeze is being put on the managed care companies to severely restrict who they will pay. CSFA's, CSA's, and SA-C's are really feeling the squeeze. I may just have to learn how to drive a truck! Praying for a miracle right now, though. God is bigger and more powerful than some employee health nurse with a bad attitude.