Hepatitis B and Employment

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Hi,

I hope someone in this forum have experience a similar situation like mine. I'm an older non-traditional male student returning to school for a second bachelor in pursuit of a bachelor's in nursing. It took me 2 years of waiting to get into this highly competitive nursing school but I managed to get accepted last year. I had to go through all the vaccination shots including the Hepatitis B series. Everything has been going great in classroom as well as clinical. I enjoy working with people and I'm glad that I switched to a career in nursing. Just recently, I discovered that my sister and I are Hepatitis B carrier (I was devastated). I must have been born with it because my mother is also Hepatitis B carrier. I have been living healthy all life focusing on weight training and eating healthy - this really blows to find out that I'm a Hepatitis B carrier. I'm in the process of applying for an internship at one of the hospital that I have my clinical rotation. Their pre-employment screening includes a drug test and physical examination which require blood to be drawn. The HR person told me the blood drawn was to check for Hepatitis. I was afraid to ask for details. My questions are:

  • What exactly are they looking for when they draw my blood? Are they checking for the Hepatitis B antibody or checking to see if I have Hepatitis B.
  • If they know I have Hepatitis B, do they have the rights to Not hire me as an intern? Will I be able to get employment at other hospitals?
  • Since this hospital is also my clinical rotation hospital, will I be able to finish my clinical rotation and schooling if that hospital rejects me as an intern?

I appreciate any feedback. Thank You.

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Specializes in Adolescent Psych, PICU.

Try doing a search because I know we have had others on here before asking the same question, so you might get more info that way.

As far as I know they can't discriminate just because your a HepB carrier, just like that can't if your HIV+, etc. We have a young girl in my nursing class who is HIV+ and very open about it in class. It's no one buisness though.

Good luck!

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Thank you for the quick response.

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I have answered my own question. They do check for hepatitis B when they draw the blood. Result from the blood test show that I'm a carrier of hepatitis B but it doesn't bar me from working as a nurse. The friendly physician gave me information on the disease and advise that I use universal precautions when working with patients. I strongly believe in the practice of univeral precautions and practice it all the time so I not concern with affecting my patients. I hope this will help someone else with similar issues and concerns that they want to get address. Thanks to everyone who posted on the issue of Hepatitis B.

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I have answered my own question. They do check for hepatitis B when they draw the blood. Result from the blood test show that I'm a carrier of hepatitis B but it doesn't bar me from working as a nurse. The friendly physician gave me information on the disease and advise that I use universal precautions when working with patients. I strongly believe in the practice of univeral precautions and practice it all the time so I not concern with affecting my patients. I hope this will help someone else with similar issues and concerns that they want to get address. Thanks to everyone who posted on the issue of Hepatitis B.

what if one is a nurse who is from another country, who has passed all the exams required for US and wants to work, would he/she be allowed to work? pls share any information if you have.:(

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Yeah. I have a similar concern. I just joined this site and I would also like to know if a nurse from another country can work in a US hospital even if she/he is a Hepa B carrier.

Thanks!

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hi.. i'm an asymptomatic HBsAg positive.. one of my clinical instructors told me that i wont be able to work in the US because of my condition.. HBsAG non-reactive is required in order to pass the medical exam. being a carrier discourages me to pursue this course.. i just knew it recently.. my relatives were affected too.. they are trying to find ways on how to cure it.. i told them it is irreversible. uncle told me about the doctor in sta mesa who's able to turn the postive hep B carrier into negative.. do you think it's wise to believe that i have a chance to correct my condition?

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Your instructor is wrong, SH. The US takes a strong stand on anti-discrimination--being a carrier for Hep does not preclude you from employment ANYWHERE in the US. Your condition does not endanger anyone as long as you practice universal precautions--which any good nurse does anyhow. You do not have to be hep B negative to work in a health care setting in the US.

I work with a couple of nurses who are hep B and/or hep C positive. Nothing different is done for them than any other nurse. They have no restrictions. We would not even know that they were positive, except they (the nurses themselves) chose to share that information with us.

And don't fall for the "I can cure Hepatitis B/HIV/AIDS/Cancer" spiel from quacks. It's a lie. Don't waste your time, money, energy, or health.

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I'm sorry for your condition, I had a grandfather who was Hepatits B condition and it is not as scary as some people make it to be.

I commend you for trying to help others with having a such condition,I believe if I'm not mistaken this disease is like TB just not so directly transmissible but it becomes symptomic at the latest stages of your life and person usually dont develop any symptoms throughout majority of their life so they hava a good health, having this disease at least you wont be discrimitive of others with this condition and most likely you will develop like compassion to patients with similar conditions because of you been there, done that

You have a valuable experience to bring to the world of nursing.

Good luck.

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I'am a hepa b carrier and I'm planning to continue nursing as my course this coming second semester. But I'm afraid of finishing it because my professor in microbiology told us that those who are infected with hepa b virus can't be hire as nurse in the U.S and even in Canada.

I worked also as a hotel staff in a cruise line before but unfortunately i became jobless because the company required their crew to undergo hepa test and i found out i'm also a carrier of that virus..Almost agencies in the Philippines are not accepting employees affected in hepa b.

If any body who has the same situation that i have now, i would be appreciated to share with me your comments and help me

if its right to continue nursing as my course and profession someday?..i'm now in second year..

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Hello,

I have been a hepatitis B Carrier my entire Life. I have an opportunity to work as a dancer for a cruise line. Does anyone know if they will turn me down since I'm a carrier?

Thank you!

-dancergirl

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same situation here, don't know what to do, where to start, anyone who knows where to find a job where we can be accepted?? i really need a job. i am also a registered nurse, just passed the boards last november. tnx in advance..

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