[Fresia]

I had to turn in a physical health form for school that includes my MH diagnosis for the purpose of emergencies. It turns out it is not just going to the school program director but to the place we are doing our clinicals: to the manager and human resources. I had not intended, unless it became an issue with my work performance or in needing accommodations, to tell anyone and even then I was going to leave it as for "medical reasons" unless further information became necessary where appropriate. I am so uncomfortable with this I cannot begin to say, and freaking out actually.

Besides the fact I have not worked in several years and the clinicals are 40 hours a week, I am already concerned about the pressures of this and performance; I know we will be evaluated but added to this, will they be watching me closer than they would someone else b/c of the mental illness?! I don't know how to handle so much scrutiny but left alone to do the work. This was a potential employer so even if I do well and now knowing what they know, what are the chances they would hire me?! Also, this field is a small community, should I be concerned?! Should I talk to the program administrator?! Confidentiality should be in place, but it only takes one slip, wouldn't it be better if the information was not even available for the opportunity?! I am wondering if I am being paranoid, which could very well be, but knowing of things that have happened in the past and to others, it worries me.

As this form is for emergencies and having worked in human resources, employee physicals are kept with HR and do not go to the managers if places are structured this way and these places are. I wonder if I should "upset the apple cart" and plea to try to get this changed based on HIPAA and the Patient Bill of Rights so it does not go to the manager but directly to HR. Or wonder if I should let it be considering I am a lowly student and somehow try to suck this up, become comfortable with being "out-ed" despite this feeling of a violation of my privacy. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance for your consideration and for your reply.

[Open Eyes]

Oh Fresia, I can't blame you for being concerned about this. If it was me, I wouldn't want others to have knowledge about my PTSD in that kind of situation either. We all know that people don't understand it.

This is something your going to have to decide. I just wanted to post that I understand why it is uncomfortable.

((((Hugs)))))
Open Eyes

[shezbut]

((((Fresia))))

I can understand your fear and hesitation of having to reveal such deeply personal information.

I doubt that they'll be watching you any closer than they'll be watching everyone else. Just my personal opinion.

You could use HIPAA and the Patient Bill of Rights to keep your private information just that ~ private. But, I don't know if HIPAA laws are taken just as seriously for those in higher positions, compared to "regular patients".

What to do is for you to decide. I wish you the very best!!

[Amazonmom]

That is the reason why I am not ever going to list my bipolar disorder on anything at work. I don't have to unless it interferes with my job performance which it doesn't.

[googley]

Is there someone in your program who is supposed to help you negotiate your work at your clinicals? If so, I would talk to that person about your concerns. Or if there isn't, take it up with your adviser if you have one. Helping you negotiate these things is part of their job. Sadly you do need to disclose these things if you are going to ask for accommodations, and you have to disclose the need for accommodations before you need them. If you do it afterward they don't have to accommodate you for anything that happens before you ask for them. This wont be the first time that HR will have dealt with this issue. It wont be new to them. I hope everything works out.