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Question about working while taking pain medications



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Nov 04, 2005 12:54 PM

Question about working while taking pain medications


Hello everyone.

I wasn't sure where to ask this question, so I hope I am in the right place.

I recently became a Certified Phlebotomist and I am now job hunting. I am also a chronic pain patient, and I take 10mg of Oxycontin tid and 7.5/325 oxycodone PRN for breakthrough pain.

Beofre I entered the medical field, I had many jobs that required drug testing prior to being hired, and I always brought my medication bottles with me, and I was always considered to pass the drug test.

My question relates to drug testing when working in the medical field. When I go for my pre-employment drug test, and bring my prescription bottles as usual, will my employer still consider the test to be negative?

As I have read from your previous discussions here, some states/employers believe that any nurse who is taking pain medication is impaired.

I am just wondering if anyone here knows whether the same applies for other people in the medical field - specifically phlebotomists.

I did my enitre schooling and clinical internship while taking my pain medications. None of my instructors knew of my medical problems or my medications, and I received outstanding evaluations and outstanding letters of recommendation.

Anyway, I am just looking for advice, opinions, and information regarding narcotic medication usage while working in a medical setting.

If it makes any difference, I have not applied to work in any hospitals because that type of work would be to body intensive for me. All the phlebotomy jobs I have applied for are in outpatient labs or are in a doctors office.

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can offer.


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