Immunizers - Liability Insurance?

[RealistRPh]

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I had several reasons to question whether I should become an immunizer for the retail chain where I currently work. One involved liability coverage. When I questioned the supervisor about this subject I was told I was the only one who ever had this concern. Well, considering the immunization program manual had it spelled out very clearly & the state board of pharmacy did as well, I am perplexed. I asked the supervisor to reassure me that I did not need to purchase a policy & that the company had amended their policy to cover immunizations. Her response was a cold one & immediately told me that I would become a floater because every store has to have an immunizer. I am curious as to why this is all of a sudden my problem. I felt I had a valid concern. And that is just what it was a concern which I voiced. Then, to just up and move me without reassurance that the company had indeed amended their policy??? Any opinions out there would be much appreciated.🙂

 

[Old Timer]

First of all, don't believe this they will throw you under the bus crap. This is spouted by people who have no legal knowledge and and have less real world experience than that.

You are an employee of a multi billion dollar corporation. They are 100% percent responsible for any actions you take in their store. They hired you, they trained you and they supervise your actions. Plus they have the bucks. Even if they wanted to throw you under the bus, the plaintiff's lawyers wont let them, since they have all the money.

If you are concerned and want your own policy, grow the frig up and buy one and don't cry to your boss like a friggin sniveling child.

It's $144.00 per year and you make around 120K.

Click here and all of your problems will be solved. No floating...

 

[FruitFly]

There's a lot of case law that already protects providers administering vaccines in good faith. Depends on the vaccine for one-- some [children vaccinations] are covered under national vaccine injury compensation program. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccine_court

 

[MountainPharmD]

I laugh when ever a pharmacist throws the I don't want the liability excuse out there for not wanting to do vaccines. You have far less liability and more protections giving a vaccination than you do filling a prescription. Check out these websites:

http://vaers.hhs.gov/index

http://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/default.htm

The govenment has done this specifically to protect providers who give immunizations. Like OldTimer siad pay the $144.00 a year and get a personnal liability policy if you are so worried about it.

 

[FruitFly]

I laugh when ever a pharmacist throws the I don't want the liability excuse out there for not wanting to do vaccines. You have far less liability and more protections giving a vaccination than you do filling a prescription. Check out these websites:

http://vaers.hhs.gov/index

http://www.hrsa.gov/vaccinecompensation/default.htm

The govenment has done this specifically to protect providers who give immunizations. Like OldTimer siad pay the $144.00 a year and get a personnal liability policy if you are so worried about it.

exactly

 

[RealistRPh]

Thank you for the responses. You all gave me a lot of good info to look into. I didn't say I wouldn't do immunizations. I merely asked them to reassure me that the company had "added immunizations" into their policy for the pharmacists. I was not reassured, just immediately reassigned. Seemed a little vindictive instead of reassuring. I know it's not expensive, but why is it my responsibility? Guess I am old school. Thanks again.

 

[Old Timer]

Thank you for the responses. You all gave me a lot of good info to look into. I didn't say I wouldn't do immunizations. I merely asked them to reassure me that the company had "added immunizations" into their policy for the pharmacists. I was not reassured, just immediately reassigned. Seemed a little vindictive instead of reassuring. I know it's not expensive, but why is it my responsibility? Guess I am old school. Thanks again.

Let's take your post apart like the 4th grade logic it presents.

1) You did say you wouldn't do immunizations, unless your conditions would be met. Assurance, written I'm sure, that immunizations are covered under the employers policy.

2) Your lack of understanding about what insurance is, what it covers and how it works shows you are not old school, but you didn't pay attention in school. Whether your employer purchases insurance or self insures, they are insuring for the practice of pharmacy. If the laws of your state allow immunizations as part of the practice of pharmacy, using logic, you would be covered. When the counseling laws were passed nobody had to run out and buy counseling insurance.

3) Insurance is protection. You are not five and you don't run to mommy and daddy and say please protect me. If you feel (stupid though thoughts would be) your employer does not have coverage, you can either do what you did and get transferred or pony up the $144.00 to protect yourself.

I don't understand why this is difficult to understand.

 

[pharaday]

I was not reassured, just immediately reassigned. Seemed a little vindictive instead of reassuring.

What was your response when you were reassigned? Did you explain that you weren't refusing to immunize? Or did you leave them to assume that you wouldn't? It seems like there is perhaps more to this story. I don't think there is anything wrong with inquiring about coverage while making it clear that you weren't going to refuse to immunize. For it to reach the point of you being reassigned, however, it kind of sounds like you were giving the impression that you weren't going to comply with the rules. Regarding liability, I don't think you have anything to worry about as long as you follow correct procedures and don't inject anyone through their eyeball or something. Immunizations are the reality now regardless of how we feel about it, so it would probably be wise to accept it and not create a bad situation for yourself.

 

[RealistRPh]

What was your response when you were reassigned? Did you explain that you weren't refusing to immunize? Or did you leave them to assume that you wouldn't? It seems like there is perhaps more to this story. I don't think there is anything wrong with inquiring about coverage while making it clear that you weren't going to refuse to immunize. For it to reach the point of you being reassigned, however, it kind of sounds like you were giving the impression that you weren't going to comply with the rules. Regarding liability, I don't think you have anything to worry about as long as you follow correct procedures and don't inject anyone through their eyeball or something. Immunizations are the reality now regardless of how we feel about it, so it would probably be wise to accept it and not create a bad situation for yourself.

I was not even given a chance to respond........just told you will float. I will take everyone's advice and be an immunizer and buy insurance. Thanks for everyone's thoughts.

 

[Momus]

http://www.hpso.com/profession/pharmacist.jsp

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Current Coverage:.

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]$3,000,000.00 aggregate / up to $1,000,000.00 each claim. [FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Total Due:.

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]$108.25.
Cheaper liability ins than the link above

 

[347445]

No pharmacist should be forced to immunize. For those of us in the profession who want to do such that's fine; for the others who do not, it should be an option. Most pharmacists that I know don't want to be nurses and if they did they would not have chosen to spend all those years in pharmacy school. Just because we voice our opinions that should not give an employer the right to take out their hostilities on us. Everyday pharmacists are being treated worse than those hired off the streets making minium wage. And if the ancillary help doesn't like the pharmacists, all they have to do is cry wolf to the managers. Believe me,
there was a time when pharmacists were RESPECTED, not anymore.
I agree that you had every right to voice your concern. But, I think what the others on the board are trying to say is if you speak up then realize that what happened to you is common place. I know some great pharmacists who have been fired, not just sent packing to float. Do get your own personal liability policy. It's just a really smart idea and less stress and worry for you. Keep your chin up!🙂