Medical Assistant job -- mandatory flu vaccine?? (Denver: exemption, lawsuit)

[ClarityUnity]

Why hello there all.

So, just to get this out in the open right away, lets not have this turn into a vaccine/anti-vaccine debate. I know lots of people feel very strongly one way or the other.

My question is this.

The girlfriend and I are considering the Denver metro area. Now, my girlfriend has been a medical assistant for many, many years, has loads of experience, etc etc. She would prefer NOT working in an actual hospital. And, most importantly, she does NOT want to get a flu shot.

With that being said, I have read in the past (back in 2012 I believe) that Colorado was basically forcing healthcare workers to get the flu vaccine or face being fired, even if they have a medical/religious exemption.

Is this still the case???

And how difficult is it to get an "exemption"?? Lets be honest, she doesn't have a "religious" reason for not wanting to get vaccinated. It's really just her own personal reasons.


Oh, and lastly, lets say she were to get a job at a chiropractor office, optometrist office, etc etc where she wouldn't be coming into direct contact with people needed treatment for flu like symptoms. Would jobs like those count as needing the shot? (since technically speaking, it is still "healthcare"??)

[2bindenver]

Is it important to her in her new job not to miss work because she is sick?

[MissTerri]

I think that most places do require a flu shot. A chiropractor's office though would not require one.

[Katarina Witt]

Generally speaking, a flu vaccination (flu mist acceptable) is required, or the employee has to wear a mask at work through the flu season.

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

OP, go read the document titled "Influenza Immunization for Health Care Workers" published by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment in 2012. It's a good idea to get immunized from both the standpoint of the care giver as well as the patient.

I found this after about five seconds of searching on-line. You could probably find more information pertinent to your girlfriend's specific job.

[reed303]

The rules are at this webpage

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sit...2012-12-18.pdf

It says: "
The rule does NOT apply to healthcare entities that are NOT licensed by CDPHE such as outpatient physician
clinics, doctor’s offices, dental offices, and chiropractor’s offices"

[Idlewile]

Originally Posted by Katiana

Generally speaking, a flu vaccination (flu mist acceptable) is required, or the employee has to wear a mask at work through the flu season.

This. 4 years ago I worked in a -- NON-clinical compacity -- at a Denver hospital that also had multiple satellite therapy, outpatient surgery and secondary care locations and everyone was required to get a shot or mist, even employees who had no interaction with patients. Technically, back then, I believe non-clincal folks could get around it but 1) it was not easy and 2) managers and others were made aware of it and you would have been singled out if you refused for a non-medical reason.

Clinical folks it was required unless medical conditions prohibited it and then you had to wear a mask for entire season and reassignment could occur if required.

I realize you are not asking about a PCP office but I replied because I learned that all healthcare institutions in Denver appear to take this very seriously... as evidence by my example of requiring employees with NO patient interaction to get vaccinated.

Healthcare postions are competitive in Denver; if someone refuses to participate in the protection of the public health and saftey of those they are caring for, there are a dozen other people who will and will get the job instead.

[ClarityUnity]

Originally Posted by reed303

The rules are at this webpage

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sit...2012-12-18.pdf

It says: "
The rule does NOT apply to healthcare entities that are NOT licensed by CDPHE such as outpatient physician
clinics, doctor’s offices, dental offices, and chiropractor’s offices"

Thank you very much for this link!

For whatever reason, out of every other state, Colorado seems to take mandatory vaccines very seriously. But, if that's the case, I find it odd that doctors offices wouldn't fall under the mandatory vaccine requirements. Why would that be??

I mean, that's good news for my girlfriend since I suppose she'll focus on getting a job at a family practice, but the question is, if they are so concerned with "public safety", then why would a family doctor fall under the same law as a hospital does??

Weird.

[ClarityUnity]

Originally Posted by Idlewile

This. 4 years ago I worked in a -- NON-clinical compacity -- at a Denver hospital that also had multiple satellite therapy, outpatient surgery and secondary care locations and everyone was required to get a shot or mist, even employees who had no interaction with patients. Technically, back then, I believe non-clincal folks could get around it but 1) it was not easy and 2) managers and others were made aware of it and you would have been singled out if you refused for a non-medical reason.

Clinical folks it was required unless medical conditions prohibited it and then you had to wear a mask for entire season and reassignment could occur if required.

I realize you are not asking about a PCP office but I replied because I learned that all healthcare institutions in Denver appear to take this very seriously... as evidence by my example of requiring employees with NO patient interaction to get vaccinated.

Healthcare postions are competitive in Denver; if someone refuses to participate in the protection of the public health and saftey of those they are caring for, there are a dozen other people who will and will get the job instead.

I do appreciate you taking the time to reply.

I am asking about a PCP office though. If you look above, the link of the law states that "The rule does NOT apply to healthcare entities that are NOT licensed by CDPHE such as outpatient physician
clinics, doctor’s offices, dental offices, and chiropractor’s offices"

Wouldn't "doctor's offices" fall under PCP??

While I get Denver takes this issue seriously, wouldn't this be direct violation of a law they drafted?? It's clear as day in the law, doctors offices should not require employees to be vaccinated.

If they were to fire you for this, I would think with the law being so black and white, a lawsuit against them could be won rather easily??

And yes, I understand medical assistant jobs are competitive. Her resume is definitely much more impressive than some newbie with no experience though.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by ClarityUnity

Thank you very much for this link!

For whatever reason, out of every other state, Colorado seems to take mandatory vaccines very seriously. But, if that's the case, I find it odd that doctors offices wouldn't fall under the mandatory vaccine requirements. Why would that be??

I mean, that's good news for my girlfriend since I suppose she'll focus on getting a job at a family practice, but the question is, if they are so concerned with "public safety", then why would a family doctor fall under the same law as a hospital does??

Weird.

Who knows? Like sausage and flu vaccine, you don't want to watch laws being made. Lots of wheeling and dealing.

However, I believe most docs who have hospital privileges have to get vaccinated for the hospital. The office where I work strongly encourages flu shots for everyone, including non-clinical staff.