Getting The Run Around With Traveling Company

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2005

Just because you had the varicella shot, does not mean that you are automatically protected against varicella. Many people require several doses to titer positive.

SierraC · Aug 16, 2005

Just because you had the varicella shot, does not mean that you are automatically protected against varicella. Many people require several doses to titer positive.

My husband who is a traveler RT went through something similar with his recruiter...he told her the company would have to pay for it if they wanted it...they set up the facility that he needed to be tested in and paid for it.

suzanne4, RN · Aug 16, 2005

Just because you get the injection, it doesn't mean that you get automatic immunity. That is what the agency is concerned with.

And many facilities will only accept ACLS from an AHA approved program. This is nothing new, it is well known. If you do a search on this site from about one year ago, you will see much documented about it.

caroladybelle, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2005

In addition, while the varicella titer might not be required upfront at other agencies, if you travel long enough, some assignment will eventially require it.

It is also a liability issue. Say you take an assignment a long distance from home. You get exposed to varicella by a patient contact. The facility deigns that you have to be off duty for 10-14 days because you do not have a positive titer for varicella. You may end up with the assignment cancelled. This translates into a loss of income for you and the company, plus a lot of little fees/unexpected expenses for both of y'all, not to mention a great deal of stress and inconvenience.

(Take it from one that nearly lost a plum assignment because of an errant chest CT and a breach of HIPAA...I had to have an immediate Bronch. The facility actually cancelled my contract without notifying my unit director. The only thing that saved me was the fact that the facility violated HIPAA rights by accident, they decided to wait for the bronch results before cancelling me. That and my director wanted to keep me - she was the one that signed me out after the bronch. But I did have to endure a great deal of stress and ten days off work, without pay.)

ann86 · Aug 16, 2005

In addition, while the varicella titer might not be required upfront at other agencies, if you travel long enough, some assignment will eventially require it.
It is also a liability issue. Say you take an assignment a long distance from home. You get exposed to varicella by a patient contact. The facility deigns that you have to be off duty for 10-14 days because you do not have a positive titer for varicella. You may end up with the assignment cancelled. This translates into a loss of income for you and the company, plus a lot of little fees/unexpected expenses for both of y'all, not to mention a great deal of stress and inconvenience.
(Take it from one that nearly lost a plum assignment because of an errant chest CT and a breach of HIPAA...I had to have an immediate Bronch. The facility actually cancelled my contract without notifying my unit director. The only thing that saved me was the fact that the facility violated HIPAA rights by accident, they decided to wait for the bronch results before cancelling me. That and my director wanted to keep me - she was the one that signed me out after the bronch. But I did have to endure a great deal of stress and ten days off work, without pay.)

Thank you . therefore it is best to return to the same MD, and request a titer. Also I am going to call the school in which I was tested, so that I could be given my money back or maybe the correct card. like I said before I paid $225 for a useless card. I did not look at the card last month. Well thank you very much.

Nurse_Smith · Nov 7, 2005

This is too late for the OP but for u lurkers out there : ask questions and make sure u understand the answers! when your recruiter ask if u have bls/acls for example , fax them a copy and have them run it by w/ the hospital. If they ask for a titer then get it, dont asume the hospital will accept a history of childhood chicken pox, and if the level shows u need a booster THEN get it. The OP mis-communicated this w/ her md. Many hospitials have different requirements,document, hurdles u must jump through in order to work there. Take nothing for granted and have every thing in hand b4 setting out for your new assignment.