Can they rescind job offer due to this at employee physical?

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Can (and do) hospitals NOT hire you for being on a prescribed pain med, or benzo? I am not talking about "failing" a test...I mean if you are up front and honest with them that you take them, do they have the right to rescind a job offer?

And if one decided not to divulge this info, and not take said meds for a period of time before the test for it to not show up--how long would that have to be? A few days, weeks? I dont know which way to go with this one. Please advise. Thanks, guys.:uhoh3:

Specializes in neuro, ICU/CCU, tropical medicine.
Does anybody know how long such substances stay in your urine?

You might want to check the Americans with Disabilities Act - you might be able to sue if they don't hire you for that reason.

Typically, water soluable drugs like opiates and benzos are cleared in about 72 hours. Drink a lot of water.

Cannibis is fat soluble, so it sticks around for weeks. I've worked in placed where if they tested for weed they'd have to place half the nursing staff on probation - but you didn't hear that from me!

You might want to check with your local head shop - um, excuse me, smoking accessories shop - they'll know. They'll probably try to sell you something that's supposed to help you pass a pee test. Save your money.

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.
without offering medical advice, when i was doing employee drug collection as a certified screener (in the nuclear industry, i might add...), we asked for a list of rx's taken in last 30 days.

and--a "positive" screen is only positive after a certified medical review officer (md or do with specialized certification) has reviewed the actual results and talked to the employee. pcp and thc aside, there was never a problem if a rx could be provided, and hr rec's the screen as "negative":twocents:

thank you blueridge--- to be quite honest, i take a pain med prn for an issue, and quite frankly, it embarasses me, and dont want a future employer to know...*especially* because i have a prescription-i dont want to lose the job because they think i am unhealthy, you know? i probably dont even take it every 5 days or so, so i would be willing to not take it before the test....but then i run the risk of them finding out later, right?

agghhhh anyways, i am not talking about *any* illegal substances---just the rx in my name. thanks again!!!

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

So, in essence, what should I do? Divulge the PRN meds, a benzo and a pain med, and risk not being hired? Or, omit them, not take them for a week, so they wont show up?

I am really worried about not getting hired just based on having those meds prescribed.......its not an issue, I have valid RX's....I am just afraid of being judged. But, I need them once in a while....

What should I do? Anybody else in this situation, like, any hospital ever said " you dont pass the physical due to needing these meds"??????

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Specializes in Home Care, Hospice, OB.
so, in essence, what should i do? divulge the prn meds, a benzo and a pain med, and risk not being hired? or, omit them, not take them for a week, so they wont show up?

i am really worried about not getting hired just based on having those meds prescribed.......its not an issue, i have valid rx's....i am just afraid of being judged. but, i need them once in a while....

what should i do? anybody else in this situation, like, any hospital ever said " you dont pass the physical due to needing these meds"??????

i have passed several drug screens, including in the aformentioned very controlled industry (where a security clearance was required) with both hydrocodone and temazepam on board--just showed my bottles with my name from a real local pharmacy..end of story. i have a ruptured disc and an ankle (comminuted tib-fib fx, orif, ligament damage that can't be repaired) problem. i do not "abuse" any of these, but take them to control pain and sleep. i have been on so long i don't get drowsy from the vicodin, or any buzz at all. it just makes my pain go away so i can work. if this hospital feels that no one should ever need meds, you don't want to work there. [ok--if a 99 lb nurse who never toook an asa wanted to work after dental surgery on a narc, i'd be worried--but only because she is opiate naive and likely to be affected adversly by any new med of this class] please be upfront and honest--it's the other path that will land you in hot water..

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Specializes in Home Care, Hospice, OB.

ps-

if you don't fess up and test + later during a random or "for cause" screen, you could lose both job and lisence!!!

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Bordering on asking for legal advice which we can't give here. Morally the "right" thing would be to tell them and see how the cards fall. They are probably not concerned so much with an employee who takes meds as their health insurance company is thinking about how much more you will cost them in premiums, coverage and drug reimbursement.

Still I'd reveal. IMHO.

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

Blueridge--

Should I bring my bottles to the employee physical?

You can really lose your license for not admitting your on RX pain meds?

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Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

I guess I am more worried about having to put down the medications I am taking on the medical form I have to fill out for my employee physical. I know I will be in the clear for "passing"...just ....I have in my mind that they wont hire me due to the fact that I need these meds. I am paranoid, I guess. I will fully disclose.....

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.
Blueridge--

Should I bring my bottles to the employee physical?

You can really lose your license for not admitting your on RX pain meds?

Again. No legal advice here. Ask your carrier. That's what you pay them for.

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Specializes in Home Care, Hospice, OB.
blueridge--

should i bring my bottles to the employee physical?

you can really lose your license for not admitting your on rx pain meds?

see prn's post--but momma was right about honesty being the best policy!:saint:

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Psych.

You can do a search on the internet to see how long various meds stay in your system.

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Specializes in ob/gyn med /surg.

yes bring your bottles to the drug screen and be honest. after my little niece was raped , i was on xanax PRN and i also was taking lortab PRN for my foot when i was run over with a wheelchair , i took both bottles for a part time job i was applying for and had no problem being hired. i never heard if my drug screen was positive or not , i was hired... that was a few months ago ... always be honest

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