Occuvax

I have a ton of questions..Has anyone worked for Occuvax? Can you please tell me roughly (on average) how many people you have to vaccinate in your clinics? I know in nursing sometimes we don't get a break. How does that apply to flu clinics? What kind of businesses do we go to? I read that you have to call Occuvax immediately if you are running even 5 minutes behind. How strict are they about that? For the most part everything looks pretty straight and to the point. I understand we need to hold professional liability insurance. I was quoted something like $106/yr from NSO. Does that sound about right? Thanks in advance. Janice

Not if you are an independent contractor for Occuvax. If you are an independent contractor/1099 then call back NSO, the rate is closer to $600-$700/year. That's why I declined the job as an independent contractor. As an employee who received a W2 & taxes are withheld your insurance would be around $100 annually. If an independent contractor you accept most risk. You also must pay quarterly income taxes to the IRS as its not withheld from your check.

Something to look into and consider.

Thank you for your prompt response. I was reading something that you wrote to somebody else regarding insurance and figure the quote that I received was low. Now I know why I was hesitant to sign the contract. I really don't have the extra cash to put out there right now but I guess you have to give up cash to make cash right? Stuck in a rut...

It's a risk. You are expected to accept full liability plus ensure you report your income quarterly to the IRS & pay your taxes to the state and federal government directly each quarter. It's a pain to set up (not that difficult once set up and initial payment accepted)

Walgreens & CVS have been hiring RNs lately for home medication programs.

Only you can determine if it is worthwhile.

For me the cost of independent contractor malpractice plus the unreimbursed mileage, travel time, & paperwork time combined with a low to mid hourly rate the cost outweighed the benefit.

I was just looking over our last conversation and wondering who gave you the quote of 6-$700 and secondly, what you mean by me expecting to accept full liability? Isn't that way we get insurance? Or is that what you mean? Occuvax is now paying $28 an hour for LPN and RN for vaccinations. That's pretty good for me for now. I'm just concerned that there will not be enough jobs in my area, and that I will have to travel further out to get work as you had stated above. I'm kind of in a bind right now and need some work and I'm apprehensive now based on what you're saying. I feel like a stick in the mud right now and need to get back into the workforce to some degree. What do you think would you do it if you were me? í ½í¸•

I was just looking over our last conversation and wondering who gave you the quote of 6-$700 and secondly, what you mean by me expecting to accept full liability? Isn't that way we get insurance? Or is that what you mean? Occuvax is now paying $28 an hour for LPN and RN for vaccinations. That's pretty good for me for now. I'm just concerned that there will not be enough jobs in my area, and that I will have to travel further out to get work as you had stated above. I'm kind of in a bind right now and need some work and I'm apprehensive now based on what you're saying. I feel like a stick in the mud right now and need to get back into the workforce to some degree. What do you think would you do it if you were me? í*½í¸•

No. When you accept full liability for your practice as an independent contractor that's exactly what I mean you are accepting full liability financially and ethically for working within your scope of practice. Your personal risk is greater as an independent contractor than as an employee. This is an additional risk for an LPN as all NPA's require LPNs to work under the direction/supervision (direct (onsite) or indirect (off site consultation and signed policy/protocol)) of an RN, APN, MD DO, DMD, or DDS.

When you are an employee your employer shares liability for your practice hence why the premiums for an employed nurse are around $100 but an independent contractor nurse the premiums jump to $700 or more.

They offer a higher rate to ICs as they do not withhold any income, social security, or other taxes. You are not eligible for social security, unemployment or disability (if your state has a state disability program) credits for your work. You must submit quarterly income tax payments to the state and IRS.

I considered this as a newer grad but recalled the issues some of my late father's clients had as IC (my father was a CPA) the huge jump in insurance premium was a big deterrent to me. I did not have an extra $650 dollars to pay for adequate coverage. (if you only have a policy for an employee but work as an IC and later have a claim filed against you even for a unfounded reason your policy could be cancelled for failure to disclose accurate employment status. I know someone who didn't realize they needed a different policy working as an IC and later lost coverage for failure to accurately disclose employment status to the agency).

For me the little bit of higher income did not outweigh the extra risk (extra unpaid driving, cost of insurance, no guarantee of shifts, potential additional tax liability, no credit towards unemployment or disability)

Only you can determine if this is the best choice for you. I had another employment offer but if faced with an IC vaccination nurse vs.unemployment my decision may have been different.

Maybe get the insurance needed, start with Occuvax while you seek a more permanent employment situation. At least you will be getting paid nursing experience while you search.

P

The quote was from my current company (NSO) and the risks were explained by the rep who also emailed me written explanations of the change in coverage I would need

P~You make a lot of good points and your emphasis on the "liability" thing is convincing enough. I am an experienced LPN but I don't think I want to be fully liable either. I would probably feel better being employed for now. I am not a big risk taker. I don't know if it would be worth it for me. Besides, I have no idea who I'm competing with for work around here and if in fact it would even be worth it for me in the long run. I may consider it in the future but I think I'll let it go for now and look for something else. Thanks! J

The "P" was an extra letter courtesy of my notsosmart phone.

The few days I considered Occuvax I will say though the list came through with dozens of locations most were gone within an hour as filled by other nurses competing for work. That sealed the deal for me

Ive worked with Occuvax. You get to pick your clinic site and if awarded they are usually only two to eight hours long. I did not choose an 8 hour clinic site however if you do, you get a break in between and if its a big company you are also with other nurses. As far as NSO, I only pay around 100.00 a year. Ive only done a two hour clinic and a five hour, the most employees I did were 25. Its very easy and fun.

Ive worked with Occuvax. You get to pick your clinic site and if awarded they are usually only two to eight hours long. I did not choose an 8 hour clinic site however if you do, you get a break in between and if its a big company you are also with other nurses. As far as NSO, I only pay around 100.00 a year. Ive only done a two hour clinic and a five hour, the most employees I did were 25. Its very easy and fun.

There red are a few states where the premium difference for employee vs independent contractor is