Applying to work for a hospital system where you have a medical chart

[MidWestLass]

---

Members do not see this ad.

I may be a bit paranoid, but I would like to apply for a job in a certain healthcare system. However, I hesitate because I received psychiatric care there in the not-too-distant past for anxiety and was prescribed medication. I worry that they may have access to my medical chart and that it may impact their consideration of me. Is this a legitimate fear?

Also, what the heck happened to the SDN app?!

Thanks for your help!

 

[psych.meout]

I may be a bit paranoid, but I would like to apply for a job in a certain healthcare system. However, I hesitate because I received psychiatric care there in the not-too-distant past for anxiety and was prescribed medication. I worry that they may have access to my medical chart and that it may impact their consideration of me. Is this a legitimate fear?

Also, what the heck happened to the SDN app?!

Thanks for your help!

You're describing a blatant HIPAA violation. It's not going to happen.

Even if it did happen, would you want to work somewhere staffed by providers who routinely violate HIPAA like that?

 

[Ollie123]

Medical record, no problem. Not just a HIPAA issue either, HR would absolutely lose their minds if they found out people were looking up medical records of job applicants.

That said, a lot depends on the size of the organization and who you had contact with. I would certainly feel uncomfortable applying for a job where I might end up having regular professional contact with a former provider.

 

[WisNeuro]

I may be a bit paranoid, but I would like to apply for a job in a certain healthcare system. However, I hesitate because I received psychiatric care there in the not-too-distant past for anxiety and was prescribed medication. I worry that they may have access to my medical chart and that it may impact their consideration of me. Is this a legitimate fear?

Also, what the heck happened to the SDN app?!

Thanks for your help!

Our healthcare system has its own insurance, which essentially requires us to use system healthcare services. So we have charts here. I can see everyone who has accessed my chart any time I want. You better believe that I will get a coworker fired if they go poking around. Nothing exciting in there, just the principle of the matter.

As others have said, should not be a problem. If you get caught in an audit for looking in random charts where you have no legitimate clinical business, getting fired is the least bad thing that can happen to you. You can also lose your license and open up yourself and the hospital to possible litigation. This should be a very rare occurrence.

 

[PsyDr]

Not a legitimate fear, but indication that you need to get more comfortable in medical settings.

I’ve had colleagues/friends perform surgery on me, do physicals on me, prescribe me beta blockers for performance anxiety, etc, and immediately turn back around to discussing a patient. No one cares.

 

[WisNeuro]

Not a legitimate fear, but indication that you need to get more comfortable in medical settings.

I’ve had colleagues/friends perform surgery on me, do physicals on me, prescribe me beta blockers for performance anxiety, etc, and immediately turn back around to discussing a patient. No one cares.

My PCP is one of the IM docs who rounds in the hospital. He also sends a good deal of pts my way, and we talk all the time in the Drs lounge. I would agree, not much of an issue.

 

[deleted343839]

I have a personal medical record at all the healthcare systems where I've held jobs. I've also seen multiple physicians and other staff within the same system as patients in my clinic (no one from my immediate clinic team, of course), and at times they've disclosed some very sensitive information to me. This is normal in medical settings. And FYI, it's super convenient to have a doctor where you work.

 

[DynamicDidactic]

I had no idea there was ever an SDN app.

 

[psych.meout]

I had no idea there was ever an SDN app.

 

[AbnormalPsych]

Yes, you are being paranoid.

Rather, the biggest thing in this case would be what kind of psychiatric care? If you received therapy from those who will be your superiors or colleagues, that might be the best place to apply.

 

[futureapppsy2]

To be honest, I'm kind of surprised at these responses. I have a physician collaborator who works for the major healthcare system in their city (not in psychiatry), and when they had to seek really, really benign psychiatric consultation for something (nothing that would remotely raise concerns about fitness to practice or that even really carries any social stigma), they deliberately and purposefully sought out a provider who had no ties to the healthcare system they work for.

 

[ExecutiveDysfunction]

To be honest, I'm kind of surprised at these responses. I have a physician collaborator who works for the major healthcare system in their city (not in psychiatry), and when they had to seek really, really benign psychiatric consultation for something (nothing that would remotely raise concerns about fitness to practice or that even really carries any social stigma), they deliberately and purposefully sought out a provider who had no ties to the healthcare system they work for.

My understanding from lurking on the physician boards is that state guidelines are often vaguely worded, such that even having sought psychiatric care could jeopardize licensure. Paraphrasing, but something about the wording being closer to “do you have a history of mental health issues at all” rather than “do you have any issues that would impair your professional duties”.

 

[AbnormalPsych]

Yes, I will clarify for me. I would never ever be seen in my system for psychiatric concerns.

Physical health stuff from PCP, etc.. thats a different story.

 

[Ollie123]

I see those as somewhat distinct issues. I would also go outside a system I currently worked in if I could, but would not categorically rule out applying for jobs in a system I received care - especially if that care was not ongoing or recent. Putting my CT hat on, I also have to acknowledge that it is more about being able to afford alternatives to avoid having to feel mildly awkward versus true belief that it would have any meaningful consequences.

All this said, OP was concerned they would look up their medical record and use it to deny them employment. Which seems unlikely. Since if it happened, it would probably lead to financial penalties/lawsuits on a fairly epic scale.

 

[8YearsLate]

As someone who has had my medical chart accessed by someone working at the hospital (i.e. HIPAA violation, and yes, the person henceforth had some privileges quietly revoked but was not formally reprimanded) I, personally, do not think you are being paranoid. HIPAA violations happen. But I agree with others in that A) Why work for a place that would do that or punish you for seeking medical care and B) You'd have legal recourse if they allowed your medical record to impact employment (if you could prove the link). I, personally, do in fact seek out a separate hospital system for personal care than the one I've volunteered at. In fact, I recently had a (personally) embarrassing situation and specifically asked the EMTs to go to the hospital where I am not a volunteer and shadow (they are equidistant). I plan to keep my care separate from wherever I end up employed, as well. Again, just a 2 cents from someone who is often called paranoid but sleeps better at night for it.

*That being said, I would never turn down a great opportunity for something like this. If you want this job, take the chance. Odds are incredibly low that anyone would access your record, and even lower that they would discriminate you for it.

 

[psych.meout]

As someone who has had my medical chart accessed by someone working at the hospital (i.e. HIPAA violation, and yes, the person henceforth had some privileges quietly revoked but was not formally reprimanded) I, personally, do not think you are being paranoid. HIPAA violations happen. But I agree with others in that A) Why work for a place that would do that or punish you for seeking medical care and B) You'd have legal recourse if they allowed your medical record to impact employment (if you could prove the link). I, personally, do in fact seek out a separate hospital system for personal care than the one I've volunteered at. In fact, I recently had a (personally) embarrassing situation and specifically asked the EMTs to go to the hospital where I am not a volunteer and shadow (they are equidistant). I plan to keep my care separate from wherever I end up employed, as well. Again, just a 2 cents from someone who is often called paranoid but sleeps better at night for it.

*That being said, I would never turn down a great opportunity for something like this. If you want this job, take the chance. Odds are incredibly low that anyone would access your record, and even lower that they would discriminate you for it.

Ok, but now you're talking about a completely separate issue of inappropriate response to HIPAA violations. Sweeping this kind of thing under the rug is even more reason to not work somewhere. Just imagine what other issues they're hiding.

 

[futureapppsy2]

Yes, I will clarify for me. I would never ever be seen in my system for psychiatric concerns.

Physical health stuff from PCP, etc.. thats a different story.

The OP did specify psychiatric concerns, though (anxiety). Agree that they aren't going to look up anyone's records and deny them a job, but I think the replies here were weirdly condescending and almost aggressive about a legitimate concern. (Plus, honestly, a lot of providers aren't as great about privacy as we like to think. I've had numerous physicians talk about other patients--with identifying personal and medical information--included while they knew I was in hearing distance, a friend went to a specialist where they scheduled appoints via Facebook Messenger, etc. For all we drive HIPAA compliance home, plenty of providers are shockingly lax about it).

 

[8YearsLate]

Ok, but now you're talking about a completely separate issue of inappropriate response to HIPAA violations. Sweeping this kind of thing under the rug is even more reason to not work somewhere. Just imagine what other issues they're hiding.

Oh, I have stories. Anyone who thinks that every hospital (or any entity, for that matter) doesn't have skeletons, is in for a rude awakening. They rely on the fact that most patients, families, and employees do not have the legal know-how or means to pursue institutional overhaul against nepotism, neglect, or violations. People may come out of medical, nursing, or business school squeaky-clean, but there will always be a subset of the population that sacrifices integrity for security.

 

[AbnormalPsych]

The OP did specify psychiatric concerns, though (anxiety). Agree that they aren't going to look up anyone's records and deny them a job, but I think the replies here were weirdly condescending and almost aggressive about a legitimate concern. (Plus, honestly, a lot of providers aren't as great about privacy as we like to think. I've had numerous physicians talk about other patients--with identifying personal and medical information--included while they knew I was in hearing distance, a friend went to a specialist where they scheduled appoints via Facebook Messenger, etc. For all we drive HIPAA compliance home, plenty of providers are shockingly lax about it).

Yes, the job stuff I shared thoughts on and answered in a previous post.

This additional post was commenting on a new path the thread was taking on, getting healthcare in your own system. Just my own personal perspective. I agree - I've seen some horrible behavior regarding privacy, which is the reason I would go outside for care within the mental health space.

No condescension or aggression intended.

 

[PsyDr]

I think most of OPs issue is related to shame. It is understandable, although unnecessary, that one is ashamed of mental health concerns. Ever seen someone who literally dgaf? You can’t embarrass them. Adopting some of that around mental health is an important way professionals can counteract mental health stigma. It’s a difficult thing to learn.


Anecdotally, the number of professional conversations/consults I have had while still disrobed is too damn high! It is higher than the number of times I have been disrobed and not had a professional conversation. While I would prefer that the attending allow me to put my pants in before we start chatting about that patient who was in a rollover MVA, I do recognize that acknowledging the situation would only make it more awkward.

 

[WisNeuro]

To be honest, I'm kind of surprised at these responses. I have a physician collaborator who works for the major healthcare system in their city (not in psychiatry), and when they had to seek really, really benign psychiatric consultation for something (nothing that would remotely raise concerns about fitness to practice or that even really carries any social stigma), they deliberately and purposefully sought out a provider who had no ties to the healthcare system they work for.

I guess it would depend on the size of the organization for me. My healthcare org is very large, so I could presumably see someone relatively close to me, who I would pretty much never interact with in my job capacities. Also, I would agree with one of the above posters regarding phsyicians, in some states, it's probably a different ballgame in terms of licensure and such, and in that case I'd probably go cash-pay outside of system if I needed MH care.