Post-Offer Physical Exam?

[Urban_Durga]

I was offered a position at a local hospital last week, and have a post-hire physical exam on Tuesday. I have read through many related threads on this site, but have a couple concerns...

1. I take two prescribed controlled medications. I will need to disclose these at the time of my UA to avoid any false positives for illegal drug use (I have never, ever used any illegal drugs). Do I also need to disclose these to the physician during my physical?

2. After looking at the ADA's website, I see that employers are granted a much wider scope of legal inquiry regarding an employee's health status during a post-hire screening than they are pre-hire. I have a couple of chronic health concerns that are controlled, and would not impact my job performance. However, I see on the ADA site that employers can ask about specific conditions, even if I state I can perform the essential job duties with/without accommodations. How have others here handled this kind of situation?

To be honest, I'd like to give my new employer as little private health information as I can, without omitting or lying about anything that could compromise my job in the future as a result. In general, I keep my personal life as far away from my professional life as possible, which has included details about my health.

Any advice? I'm very excited to start this new job, but am nervous about this health screening since it will be my first experience dealing with an OTJ medical exam.

[NewEnglandRN, RN]

Hi there,

First of all best of luck to you. It is frustrating enough to find a job in this economy, but when you have to worry about your own health issues, it is even worse. May I ask what and why you are taking for Rx meds? I have always disclosed my meds (Ativan and Fiorinal) on Physicals. Now, I have chronic pain issues d/t a failed Cervical spine fuzion and Rheumatoid arthritis. The Doctor started me on MSContin and I am terrified to go to my next pre-employment PE. I did have one experience where I actually has a job offer rescinded when they found out I had a spinal fusion...

I am with you on keeping you personal life out of work... I wish I had done that earlier in my career. But, I would never lie on an application or during the PE.

PM me with any questions.

[Urban_Durga]

I had my post-offer PE on Tuesday the 23rd, and went back today to have my TB test read. I had given a sample for my UA on Tuesday, and at that time let the nurse know that I take prescribed meds that would most likely show up on the UA results. I had the bottles with me, and she took down the information. Today, the nurse I saw requested to verify the bottles again (luckily they were still in my purse). She let me know that I will have to go through a Medical Review due to medications I take, and the condition for which I take them. I won't know any details about this until Monday; apparently her supervisor had gone home for the day by the time of my appointment. I was encouraged after Tuesday's appointment (the nurse I saw was extremely nice and helpful), but am again feeling a bit anxious. I was pretty excited to get my badge and be official, so I will admit I am disappointed by the delay.

Neither my dx nor meds would ever pose a threat to patient safety, so I am going to have to suck it up and defend my dx when I get a chance to do so at my medical review. I'm hoping it will go well. However, I'm not going to throw away the box my new stethoscope came in...just in case.

[caliotter3]

Your post sounds like things have gone the way they should so far. Certainly hope that you are able to get through the hiring process successfully and do not encounter any insurmountable problems. Good luck.

[Urban_Durga]

Thanks, Caliotter...It's encouraging to hear that the request for f/u after my UA isn't out of the ordinary, or a bad sign regarding my (hopefully!) new job. :]