Pre-employment physicals: Who pays?

[alfa-sierra]

As a travel nurse applying for a new job I've been told by the

Agency recruiting me that the expenses of the pre-employment physical exam (inclusive Chest XRays to rule out TB, since I am PPD reactive) are mine to bear.

In 17 years of nursing my employers always paid for the pre-employment physicals they require.

What has been your experience? Have you ever had to pay from your pocket for a pre-employment physical or were you ever asked to do so? Please share your experiences on this topic with me. Many thanks!

[Have Nurse, ADN, RN]

My first Travel Nurse job pre-employment physical was covered by my employer. But later, when I left the company, I had to re-pay the cost.

On my 2nd Travel Nurse stint, all was covered by my employer even after I left the company. It just depends on who it is that you work for.

Hope this helps.

[Have Nurse, ADN, RN]

That isn't true. A negative Quantiferon negates a positive PPD. If you have a positive Quantiferon, then you do need a chest x-ray to rule out active TB.

It is important to note the difference between a "reaction" to the PPD V.S. an actual positive reading. They are not the same. Some folks are plain allergic and not "positive".

We don't accept skin tests anymore because many nurses don't read them properly. All of our new staff get the blood test instead.

If someone has a positive T.B. QuanteFeron Gold blood test, they will need to see both the physician and X-ray to rule out active T.B.

Latent T.B. means that the bacterium is in their body, but they have no symptoms and are not contagious because they aren't sick.

We have lots of people who work for us that have "latent T.B." and they are screened if they leave the country for more than 12 days to visit a homeland where T.B. is prevalent.

They see me first in Infection Control. If there is any question as to whether their "latent" has become "active," they would be sent for a Chest Xray and a doc visit.

So far, it's been just fine.

If someone happens to be "positive" for active T. B., they would be referred and treated and not able to return until the doc clears them, and those to Whom they might have exposed would be notified. So far, that hasn't happened. Thank the Lord.

[Swellz]

I had one company that wouldn't pay for the physical but would pay for everything else; the other three I've worked with paid for everything. That company was by far the easiest to work with so it wasn't a dealbreaker. Any time I get a physical I bring a form and just send it to all my companies. If they want their letterhead bad enough they can pay for it.

[Leader25, ASN, BSN, RN]

good to know about the test.

[alfa-sierra, BSN, RN]

Thank you☺