Health Requirements FAQ

CPR Certification

• Updated every 2 years

• The Health Care Provider BLS requirement must be directly from the American Heart Association. It is important that you have the certification at the health care provider level due to your placement in a health care facility. 

  • Health care provider level is Adult and Child/Pediatric CPR with AED. 

• American Heart Association approved, no online courses accepted

• You can locate available locations for training here.

Physical Exam

• Required annually by a provider

• Initial exam uploaded to Castlebranch must be less than 1 year old and signed by a licensed provider (MD, DO, PA, NP)

• The form is located for download in Castlebranch as well as this website.

Vaccinations

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR)

• Proof of 2 MMR vaccinations (BOTH DATES)

• What happens if I don’t have both MMR doses?

  • If you have one dose, schedule a second at any time 28 days apart from 1st dose

  • If your titer test described below is negative, you may need 2 doses of MMR

• What happens if I can’t find proof of my immunizations?

  • You can get a blood titer test drawn for MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B

A titer test is a laboratory blood test. It checks for the presence of certain antibodies in the bloodstream. Testing involves drawing blood from a patient it is often used to see if someone is immune to a certain virus or needs vaccination. 

Varicella (Chickenpox)

• Proof of 2 varicella vaccinations (BOTH DATES)

• What happens if I don’t have both varicella doses?

  • If you have one dose, you can schedule to get a second at any time as long as it is 4-8 weeks apart from 1st dose

• What happens if I was born before 1980 or can’t find proof?

  • You can get a blood titer test drawn for MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B

• Please note that "history of disease" is not acceptable for many healthcare facilities, so you will need a titer test drawn to prove immunity

  • If you have a "negative" titer, the CDC recommendations are to receive 2 doses of varicella as nurses are considered high-risk

Hepatitis B

• This is a 3-dose series of vaccinations to prevent you from contracting Hep B (ALL THREE DATES)

• How long does this series of immunizations take?

  • This takes 6 months from dose 1 to dose 3

    • Dose 1

    • Dose 2 - at least 4 weeks after dose 1

    • Dose 3 - 6 months after dose 1

    • There are some exceptions to spacing here if you get off track with your dosing, please ask your provider if this occurs.

• What happens if I don’t have proof of this series, but I did complete it?

  • You can get a blood titer test drawn for MMR, Varicella, and Hepatitis B

** If you are in process w/ series, you can complete the waiver form (available in Castlebranch and this website) and upload this to the requirement **

Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis

• This is updated every 10 years, you must have all 3 components (Tdap)

Influenza

• Must be updated annually to be compliant with facilities (completed during fall/winter season)

• There are special situations contraindicated to receiving the vaccine

• • • if you have a documented allergy you must have documented proof of this from your provider 

TB Testing

• Updated annually

• The very first time you receive a TB test, you will complete a 2-step test

  • What is a 2-step test?

    • You receive a baseline TB test (Administration of TST under your skin)

    • It is read by a provider within 48-72 hours (if not, you will have to re-do the test)

    • You receive a second TB test and it must be between 1-3 weeks after the reading date of test #1

    • It is then read by a provider within 48-72 hours 

** After the initial 2-step test, a one-step test is required annually while in the program**

• You receive a baseline TB test (Administration of TST under your skin)

• It is read by a provider within 48-72 hours (if not, you will have to re-do the test)

• Are there alternatives to receiving 2-step and annual TB skin tests?

  • You may have a quantiferon gold or t-spot blood test drawn annually to confirm negative TB status

  • You may also meet this requirement with a negative chest x-ray (it must state no active TB disease)

Covid Vaccine

• Requirements vary by location, please discuss with your clinical coordinator for more details.