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Surgical employment and HCV
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.
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.
We are not doctors here on this forum. It seems to me that with all of the evidence you have that you have been cured of the virus, this may be a case of discrimination. I would consult an attorney.
All the best to you.
Nan
All the best to you.
Nan
Where do you live? If you live in the United States I would find this talk about the employment nurses claim that Hepatitis C can come back at anytime strange. I know a nurse who had applied at hospital and they did indeed test her for a viral load due to the fact she was Hep C positive. I would expect that this would happen due to the fact it is a hospital. Before you start calling attorneys and thinking this might be a career stopper....call the place where your employment health exam and ask if this is the reason your not starting orientation. I would find it very strange that this is the reason your being denied employment.
You have been dealing with this for many years. Is this a new profession?
Medical professionals no this isn't a career killer. Maybe a concern due to high risk if you work surgery and had Chronic Hep C. They could find this risky. But as you say...you don't have hep C.
You have been dealing with this for many years. Is this a new profession?
Medical professionals no this isn't a career killer. Maybe a concern due to high risk if you work surgery and had Chronic Hep C. They could find this risky. But as you say...you don't have hep C.
FYI: My nurse friend was hired because she had no viral load. I don't think this is the reason your not starting orientation. They just might be waiting for
all your paperwork. Something very typical in large institutions.
all your paperwork. Something very typical in large institutions.
I live in Florida. I was even issued a parking decal and was scheduled to start orientation on 4/28. The employee health nurse and her boss informed me that I could not show up for orientation on 4/25, the Friday before orientation. Getting very anxious and I cannot understand why a positive HCV antibody with three RNA QA's that have come back as "non-detectable" is holding me back from I job a truly want. One major note, I have assisted at this institution for the past 15 years as aprivate contractor.
They only tested for the antibody because I am honest and answer the healthcare questionaire that asked if I had any of the following diseases in the past? HBV, HCV, or HIV. I said yes to HCV with a letter from my gastro stating I am cured.
They only tested for the antibody because I am honest and answer the healthcare questionaire that asked if I had any of the following diseases in the past? HBV, HCV, or HIV. I said yes to HCV with a letter from my gastro stating I am cured.
I live in Florida. I was even issued a parking decal and was scheduled to start orientation on 4/28. The employee health nurse and her boss informed me that I could not show up for orientation on 4/25, the Friday before orientation. Getting very anxious and I cannot understand why a positive HCV antibody with three RNA QA's that have come back as "non-detectable" is holding me back from I job a truly want. One major note, I have assisted at this institution for the past 15 years as aprivate contractor.
They only tested for the antibody because I am honest and answer the healthcare questionaire that asked if I had any of the following diseases in the past? HBV, HCV, or HIV. I said yes to HCV with a letter from my gastro stating I am cured.
They only tested for the antibody because I am honest and answer the healthcare questionaire that asked if I had any of the following diseases in the past? HBV, HCV, or HIV. I said yes to HCV with a letter from my gastro stating I am cured.
So you treated your hepatitis C 15 years ago before working at this hospital as a private contractor?
Far as I remember- the CDC regulation only applies to Hep. B. There is no regulation for Hep C as of yet. You can look it up on CDC web site. You should of not answer that question at all, just say no everywhere from now on- it is not anybody's business. I would really want to see them deny your employment based on this- have it in writing and take them in court. I know that idiot who was doing drugs and infected patients ruined it for others, but I do not see it to be legal to deny you position.
yes! And I have had the same gastro whom I have seen regularly who has stated in writing that I have been under his care for 15 years, virus is eradicated, that I am of no risk for transmission and should not be restricted from tasks. The hospital is evaluating this and have been so for 5 weeks and not even communicating with me. The OR director is just waiting and holding my postion until she heres from someone to tell her otherwise. I think they are either guinely trying to work this out, or they are running this through their legal system to see how to get out of hiring me. The OR and the surgeons really want me, but employee health is creating a big obstacle. My family and I are quite devastated, but holding on to our strong faith in the Lord to win this battle for us.
I dont know why you even want to work for the large hospital. What happened to your old job? Did you let it go? I would not recommend to be upset if they do not hire you. They fire people left and right- no appreciation for the talent or experience. Hospitals suck big time.
I see your point, however I will not reduce myself to lying on my healthcare questionaire. It asked "had" I have....., not "do" you have. The ADA states that lying on an application is not acceptable, however it also states that once a job has been offered and accepted, the burden is then on the employer to prove that I would pose a "direct" threat to myself, or others. How could I be a direct threat if I have NO virus? This nurse thinks it is in a dormant, resting, or remission state. She said there is no studies that show a complete cure and that it could come back at any moment. I am sort of in a catch 22. If my gastro says I am cured, then do I really have a disability that would be covered under the ADA (American Disabilities Act)?
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.
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.
Let us know what happens.
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
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.
Look at CDC web site. It used to say, no limitations for healthcare workers with hep C. Also you can search for Hep C cure definition.
Where disclosing you have or had hepatitis C would be important is if you are
putting someone in danger of being infected. I know this to be true with other types of employment. You could have said No to that question. You don't have to disclose if it has nothing to do with the job. In this case....it has nothing to do with the job you will be doing. That question doesn't apply to you. Your not putting anyone in danger. If you had hepatitis C and failed to use universal protections...there could be an issue.
Bottom line it's required to use universal protection in numerous professions.
Anyone who has taken a first aid class is taught these very basic requirements to protect yourself and others.
putting someone in danger of being infected. I know this to be true with other types of employment. You could have said No to that question. You don't have to disclose if it has nothing to do with the job. In this case....it has nothing to do with the job you will be doing. That question doesn't apply to you. Your not putting anyone in danger. If you had hepatitis C and failed to use universal protections...there could be an issue.
Bottom line it's required to use universal protection in numerous professions.
Anyone who has taken a first aid class is taught these very basic requirements to protect yourself and others.
You are being denied your livelihood. As i previously posted, you should consult an attorney for legal advice.
Nan
Nan
Yes, you are right. It does state that. Also, the SHEA website has guidelines that support me as well. The Society for Healthcare Epidemiolgy of America. They state that guidelines of restrictions should be imposed when you have a viral level greater than10(4) GE/ml. Less than that, no restrictions should be imposed. Again, I have NO level. But, this employee health nurse knows it all and will not listen to me. I have even printed out all of the info I could find and she thinks she knows more than research panels.
I may have to. Florida is a Work-at-will state which says either party can terminate for any reason. It is not a right-to-work state, like labor unions. I don't know much about law, but thjere are employment/discrimination attorneys everywhere down here. I am not a minority so I do not know how much weight a law suit would have. But, I suppose it is worth a try. I just want to work, not sue!
The problem is trustinjesus hasn't been hired yet. They were working as a contracted employee. Employment that the employer can terminate at will.
You might want to contact the American Civil Liberties Union before you start throwing your money at a discrimination/employment attorney. You may find out you don't have a case before. The issues are...you weren't an employee and your not disabled. Tough situation.
Best to you
Best to you
Could you name any major healthcare institutions who would hire surgical assistants/nurses who have had PAST HCV infections who are now considered cured with non-detectable RNA testing?
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