Medical Diagnosis

CityEMT212

CityEMT212

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Hello EMS Family,

So I've been recently diagnosed (4 months ago) with a small medical diagnosis that has slightly affected my life, but not by much. I can still live, work, socialize, do things with friends and family, and still have as much a normal life as possible. However, my EMT CERT is still valid until 2021. And I planned on applying to local places for standby events, or per diems in September of this year. Hopefully, the issue will be either easier to control or fully subsided by then. My concern is, do I mention it to a possible employer?

Thanks,

CityEMT212
 
Maybe, maybe not. There's about a million variables and I'm not keen on playing twenty questions, so if you want opinions that are relevant, you're going to have to tell us what your condition is and how, if at all, it alters your ability to do your job.
 
Does it affect your ability to do the job? than no.

Once you get hired, you might want to mention it to a trusted supervisor, in case there is an issue results from your diagnosis (for example, you can't come to work or perform your job), but unless there is a reason for it, I'd keep personal stuff personal until you have a reason not to.

But def don't mention it until you are offered the job, as the information likely won't help you, and could be used against you by a potential employer.
 
hometownmedic5 said:
Maybe, maybe not. There's about a million variables and I'm not keen on playing twenty questions, so if you want opinions that are relevant, you're going to have to tell us what your condition is and how, if at all, it alters your ability to do your job.
Click to expand...

GAD - General Anxiety Disorder. Sometimes, not every day, I get slight anxiety where I need to just stop for a moment, take a deep breath and keep on going. It was worse when it started, but now I've been able to cope with it. It doesn't interfere with my current job. I work in a clinic, and am patient-facing every day. I also work with doctors who need interpretation, and insurance companies daily. I'm able to do the job I have now, but I have had anxiety attacks while at work, unfortunately.
 
DrParasite said:
Does it affect your ability to do the job? than no.

Once you get hired, you might want to mention it to a trusted supervisor, in case there is an issue results from your diagnosis (for example, you can't come to work or perform your job), but unless there is a reason for it, I'd keep personal stuff personal until you have a reason not to.

But def don't mention it until you are offered the job, as the information likely won't help you, and could be used against you by a potential employer.
Click to expand...

Used against me? As in, even blacklisting me to other EMS agencies?
 
CityEMT212 said:
Used against me? As in, even blacklisting me to other EMS agencies?
Click to expand...
no; but they can decline to hire you out of a false concern that your condition would hinder you at the job. they might not even tell you that is the reason, but you won't get the job, which isn't fair to you.

don't tell them unless they ask, and don't let it prevent you from doing the job. Having an anxiety attack isn't a deal breaker in EMS; however, some might think it makes you unable to do the job (which is total BS, but old stigmas do still exist).
 
DrParasite said:
no; but they can decline to hire you out of a false concern that your condition would hinder you at the job. they might not even tell you that is the reason, but you won't get the job, which isn't fair to you.

don't tell them unless they ask, and don't let it prevent you from doing the job. Having an anxiety attack isn't a deal breaker in EMS; however, some might think it makes you unable to do the job (which is total BS, but old stigmas do still exist).
Click to expand...

Great, thanks.
 
CityEMT212 said:
I planned on applying to local places for standby events, or per diems in September of this year.
Click to expand...
CityEMT212 said:
GAD - General Anxiety Disorder. Sometimes, not every day, I get slight anxiety where I need to just stop for a moment, take a deep breath and keep on going.
Click to expand...
CityEMT212 said:
It doesn't interfere with my current job. I work in a clinic
Click to expand...
Have you dealt with any emergent patients yet? If so, was the GAD still manageable? What kind of standby events are covered in the shifts you would like to work?

I work standbys pretty often, and they can range from mellow (conventions, big company picnics, etc.) to crazy (large ethnic dances with lots of alcohol, Ironman Triathlons in hot weather, etc.). I've had a number of emergent transports in the busier shifts, and have had to use emergent lifts and carries several times to get my Pt out of a bad situation and closer to our medical treatment area. I've have had a number of Pts who were circling the drain as we treated them and loaded them up for transport, and dealing with their medical issues quickly and effectively was very important.

If you haven't had any emergent Pts yet, you might want to consider some ride-alongs with your local Fire Department or an ambulance service. There's a certain amount of "stress inoculation" that can happen as you deal with more and more emergent Pts, and you may find that after a few such contacts, you are getting better and more comfortable with them. Or you may find that you really don't like such contacts, in which case you may want to stick with the clinical side.

Hope it works out well for you either way.
 
berkeman said:
Have you dealt with any emergent patients yet? If so, was the GAD still manageable? What kind of standby events are covered in the shifts you would like to work?

I work standbys pretty often, and they can range from mellow (conventions, big company picnics, etc.) to crazy (large ethnic dances with lots of alcohol, Ironman Triathlons in hot weather, etc.). I've had a number of emergent transports in the busier shifts, and have had to use emergent lifts and carries several times to get my Pt out of a bad situation and closer to our medical treatment area. I've have had a number of Pts who were circling the drain as we treated them and loaded them up for transport, and dealing with their medical issues quickly and effectively was very important.

If you haven't had any emergent Pts yet, you might want to consider some ride-alongs with your local Fire Department or an ambulance service. There's a certain amount of "stress inoculation" that can happen as you deal with more and more emergent Pts, and you may find that after a few such contacts, you are getting better and more comfortable with them. Or you may find that you really don't like such contacts, in which case you may want to stick with the clinical side.

Hope it works out well for you either way.
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Thank you. I will consider requesting a ride-a-long. That's actually a good idea to me. Thanks again, Berkeman.
 
Copied from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website.

"The ADA places restrictions on employers when it comes to asking job applicants to answer medical questions, take a medical exam, or identify a disability.
An employer may not ask a job applicant, for example, if he or she has a disability (or about the nature of an obvious disability). An employer also may not ask a job applicant to answer medical questions or take a medical exam before making a job offer.
An employer may ask a job applicant whether they can perform the job and how they would perform the job. The law allows an employer to condition a job offer on the applicant answering certain medical questions or successfully passing a medical exam, but only if all new employees in the same job have to answer the questions or take the exam.
Once a person is hired and has started work, an employer generally can only ask medical questions or require a medical exam if the employer needs medical documentation to support an employee’s request for an accommodation or if the employer has reason to believe an employee would not be able to perform a job successfully or safely because of a medical condition.
The law also requires that the employers keep all medical records and information confidential and in separate medical files."

Pre-Employment Inquiries and Medical Questions & Examinations

Pre-Employment Inquiries and Medical Questions & Examinations
www.eeoc.gov www.eeoc.gov
 
Only answer LEGAL employment questions
 
Seirende said:
Copied from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission website.

"The ADA places restrictions on employers when it comes to asking job applicants to answer medical questions, take a medical exam, or identify a disability.
An employer may not ask a job applicant, for example, if he or she has a disability (or about the nature of an obvious disability). An employer also may not ask a job applicant to answer medical questions or take a medical exam before making a job offer.
An employer may ask a job applicant whether they can perform the job and how they would perform the job. The law allows an employer to condition a job offer on the applicant answering certain medical questions or successfully passing a medical exam, but only if all new employees in the same job have to answer the questions or take the exam.
Once a person is hired and has started work, an employer generally can only ask medical questions or require a medical exam if the employer needs medical documentation to support an employee’s request for an accommodation or if the employer has reason to believe an employee would not be able to perform a job successfully or safely because of a medical condition.
The law also requires that the employers keep all medical records and information confidential and in separate medical files."

Pre-Employment Inquiries and Medical Questions & Examinations

Pre-Employment Inquiries and Medical Questions & Examinations
www.eeoc.gov www.eeoc.gov
Click to expand...

Seirende, thank you for this!
 
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