Healthcare Credentials
Why They Are Important
Documents necessary to begin a new position in a healthcare facility are complex for those new to the field and those who haven’t changed to a new job opportunity. Healthcare workers are required to have a number of documents in order to be compliant and begin working. It is important to know and understand that requirements vary from facility to facility. These requirements and specialty regulations are determined by State regulations, facility type, and membership to organizations such as Joint Commission.
Common Immunizations for Healthcare Professionals
Below are 6 common immunizations and their requirements as recommended by the Center of Disease Control (CDC), specifically for those in the healthcare field because the risk for exposure to disease increases for healthcare employees.
• Hep B: 3-dose series
• Flu: one dose annually
• MMR: 2 doses, at least 28 days apart
• Varicella: If you have not had chickenpox, get 2 doses of varicella vaccine, 4 weeks apart
• Tdap: Td boosters every 10 years
• Meningococcal: one dose
What Other Healthcare Credentials Are Important for Staffing Opportunities?
In order to speed up and simplify the process of on-boarding after receiving a job offer, it is a good idea to have these documents easily accessible and ready to submit.
• Tuberculosis
There are a couple options for TB screening including; skin test (TST), QuantiFERON, and Chest X-Rays after a positive read. Facilities will require a baseline upon start to rule out presence of TB in the body. Serial screening thereafter will be determined by OSHA risk assessments and individual company policy.
• Physical
Physicals are not only great to have on an annual basis for your own knowledge (also covered by insurance under preventative care!), but they also give employers a baseline that determines the capacity to safely perform all job duties (e.g. “Are you able to perform all duties without restrictions and free of communicable disease?”). Recurring physicals are often based on company policy, or in order to gain clearance after an illness or injury that may have affected your ability to perform job duties.
5 Tips to Say Organized with Your Healthcare Credentials
• Gather all common on-boarding documents.
• Keep copies of all documentation in an easily accessible place.
• Because these items are personal and confidential, store credentials in a secure place. For example: paper documents in a locked safe, file protected on your computer, or a Personal Health Record (PHR).
• Schedule annual appointment with your physician at the time of visit.
• Use your calendar, smart phone and/or tablet, to set reminders for updates required by employer to ensure you’re always prepared.
When applying for a healthcare job, you may not know the exact requirements initially, so it is a good idea to consider having all your credentials accurate and up to date. Not only will this make starting simple and fast, but your healthcare employer will appreciate your efficiency and promptness.