I know this was mentioned by someone earlier, but as of 1/1/13, Children's of Alabama will be nicotine free for new employees and volunteers.  It will become a part of our prescreening process.  We have now included this in our information on the volunteer section of the web as well as two places on the online application - in the instructions for completing the application and in the "fine print."

The handwriting is on the wall, so to speak, for current employees and volunteers.  My guess is they have a year to quit using nicotine products.  I also know that other facilities in the Birmingham area are in the process of doing the same thing.

And you can't argue with the policy, after all we are representing the "best in healthcare."

Jamine,

Sorry, pre-screening is background check and drug testing.  Checking for nicotine will now be a part of the drug testing.  Pre-screening is a term we use to the public, prior to any testing.  It is our rule that if "drug test" is used the person has 24 hours to complete ---can't get clean in that amount of time.  We also test on site at the time of our mass interviews. 

We are still awaiting official word on whether or not we will now test all teens.  We haven't in the past, but are a "for cause" and "at random" facility.  Will let you know if anything changes. 

Of course teen background records are usually sealed by the courts, so nothing to gain there, unless you have someone become their friend on facebook. That can be quite interesting.

I am still wondering if anyone else is NOT accepting volunteers who use nicotine products.  As of 1/1/13, a person using nicotine products can not work, volunteer or be a contract worker at our institution.

Current employees are exempt (at least for now).  However if they leave and return they are subject to the policy.  UAB's University Hospital, our next door neighbor, is also going to this policy in July.

We are not smoke free.  We have two smoking pits on the campus.  Being a Children's hospital at least we don't have patients in gowns standing outside.