It’s a busy time of year for employee health! Recent graduates from nursing and medical school are entering the field of healthcare. These folks bring energy, skill, and new potential to your healthcare team. But before they can jump into patient care, there is an essential stop the must make: Employee Health.
Employee Health (EH) plays a critical role in onboarding safely and efficiently, ensuring that new staff are protected, cleared to work, and ready to join the healthcare team. Incomplete records or missed steps can delay start dates, create patient safety risks, or lead to gaps in care.
In this newsletter, we break down what new hires will likely need to meet EH requirements—and how you can help set them up for success.
Here’s what your new staff must have ready to meet Employee Health onboarding requirements:
Immunization Records:
- MMR (measles, mumps, rubella)
- Varicella (chickenpox)
- Hepatitis B (or signed declination)
- Tdap (within 10 years)
- Seasonal influenza
- COVID-19 (if required per facility policy)
TB Testing:
- 2-step TB skin test or TB blood test (IGRA), based on policy
- Chest x-ray if history of positive TB test
Respirator Clearance & Fit Testing:
- Medical questionnaire or physical clearance
- Fit test for the specific N95 or PAPR model used in your facility
Pre-Employment Health Screening:
- May include physical exam, drug screen, lifting test, or other job-specific assessments
Bloodborne Pathogen Education
- Ensure bloodborne pathogen training is complete
How Managers and Educators Can Help
A little planning goes a long way. Here’s how leaders and educators can support a smooth onboarding process:
- Encourage early collection of immunization documents during hiring or orientation
- Coordinate with EH in advance for fit testing or TB testing windows
- Send reminders about necessary forms, deadlines, and appointments
- Help new hires know where to go for EH appointments (physical location, contact info, etc.)
- Bridge the gap between clinical orientation and EH clearances—no one should work until fully cleared!
Why It Matters: Safety Starts Before Day One
Employee Health is more than a checklist—it’s a frontline defense for your staff and your patients.
- Unvaccinated or unprepared staff may be unable to care patients
- Missed screenings could allow the spread of TB or vaccine-preventable diseases
- Staff who aren’t fit-tested can’t safely use required PPE in necessary situations
- Delays in EH onboarding slow down the entire orientation process
Protect your staff, protect your patients.