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Health Clearances

Health Requirements for Employment

The New York State Department of Health Code 405.3 mandates that certain requirements be met before employment begins and annually thereafter.

Medical history and physical exam

  • All potential employees will be scheduled with the Employee Health Office for a physical exam and medical history review prior to employment.
  • Incoming residents and volunteers have the option of having their health provider perform the exam (at their expense) to be submitted for review by the Medical Director.
  • Non-employees affiliated with contracted agencies ( ie. travel nurses), or assigned clinical staff must complete a Non-Employee Medical Clearance Form (NEMC) and submit supporting documentation. Employee Health reserves the right to have candidate submit to a physical exam upon review of NEMC. Non-Employee Medical Clearance form (NEMC)
  • Affiliating staff and/or temporary personnel will also be required to submit health information. The requirements will be determined by duration of assignment and clinical involvement.

Evidence of Immunity

Documentation of immunity is required.  Complete age appropriate vaccination records must be provided.  If insufficient record, then antibody titers are required.

Proof of immunity to the following is required:

  • Measles
  • Mumps
  • Rubella
  • Varicella
  • Hepatitis B surface antibody along with documentation of a 2 or 3 vaccination series is recommended for all employees who may be at risk for blood and body fluid exposure.
  • COVID-19 vaccination(s) and booster 

Tuberculosis (TB) Screening

All employees and affiliates with direct or indirect patient contact must be screened for active tuberculosis and determined to be disease free.

  • TB screening will be done by placement of a tuberculin skin test (PPD) administered and read at the Health Office unless employee provides documentation of a previous PPD or lab result of an IGRA test (T-Spot or Quantiferon Gold Plus) completed within 1 year of start date. Documentation of a positive PPD greater the ten millimeters or history of BCG vaccination will require an IGRA test.   
  • Chest x-ray required if IGRA test result is positive with no history of treatment for latent tuberculosis infection. 

Annual Health Assessment

The NYS Department of Health Code (405.3) requires reassessment of the health status of all personnel as frequently as necessary, but no less than annually, to ensure that personnel are free from health impairments which pose potential risk to patients or personnel or which may interfere with the performance of duties. This requires completion of the Annual Health Assessment form, annual screening for tuberculosis, and update of immunizations, when necessary. Routine health maintenance (in the form of a self-report questionnaire) is also addressed. 

Please go to the Employee/Student Health portal  https://eshportal.upstate.edu/ to schedule an appointment and complete the annual health assessment questionnaire.

Health Clearance to Begin Employment

The Medical Director will review all pre-employment medical documentation. Clearance to begin employment will then be determined. Clearance is granted if there is no health impairment that would pose a potential risk to patients or personnel, all essential functions of the position can be fulfilled, and all NYS Health Code (405.3) requirements have been met.

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