Suboxone Drug Test Hospital Employment

Updated

I am applying for a job at a large hospital and will undergo a drug test prior to employment (and during). I take suboxone and it has helped me a lot although I don't have a valid prescription for it. I have been told that suboxone testing is very expensive and almost if not completely a scam because a doctor I know sent a suboxone specific drug test to PHARMA while the patient wasn't on suboxone and the results said suboxone was in the persons system and then charged the
Doctor something like $350 dollars. Afterward the doctor says he thinks he is getting screwed
Over by the testing company because they know he is prescribing them to a patient therefore it should be in their system, and they don't actually test for it but charge the doctor. Anyway my real question is about me. I have been told by a reliable source that both him and his doctor 120% guarantee the hospital I am applying to (for Phlebotomy) will not test for it. Can you tell me as best as you can know if you agree? If you don't agree or are unsure can you tell me more? I really don't want to stop taking it but fear it will show up on the drug test even though I was told with complete confidence they will not test for it, and even if they did HIPAA regulations prevent them from inquiring about it or trying to gather further information so in other words if they did find it I could lie and say I have a prescription and HIPAA regulations prevent them from contacting my doctor or employer or doing anything. Can you comment on that? Again I mainly want to be sure (from your opinion) that a large hospital will not test for suboxone as part of their pre-employment drug screen. Thanks for your time.

30 Replies (2 Pages)

Page:1Last Page
Earliest Newest Votes
1

There is no way for anyone else to know what they will, or will not test you for, though most standard drug test do not include testing for the Buprenorphine in Suboxone.

However, it has been known to cause false positives for other synthetic and semisynthetic opiates.

In addition, there are limits to HIPAA, so they could ask for verification that it is legally prescribed. They would only be restricted from discussing other details with your doctor, such as why you are on it. If this were not the case, everyone could use whatever drugs they pleased and get away with it, they'd never get fired, or not get a job.

https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Suboxone/­

Are there any other questions or comments?

Was this helpful? 0
2

Thanks a lot for the reply. My teat is now leas than 24 hours away - it is tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM. Everything I have Read and what people tell me, they will not test for it unless there is a reason for them to suspect you are on subs. For example my friend is prescribed them so his doctor does a specific test to verify he is using, while also doing a standard drug test to verify he is not abusing anything, then the doctor sends the urine sample for the sub test to PHARMA and costs 350 dollars, so he has a separate test for subs and it costs a lot of money.

He says it will not be tested for. Do you agree? Why would a hospital (where I'm going to work) test for it? I wish there was a way to know for sure, everyone tells me they don't but I'm the type that needs to see it written on the wall to actually believe it. What do you think? This is my last chance before my test.

Was this helpful? 0
3

Drew, I really have no answer for you.

I can tell you, just the same as others, that it is not included in standard tests. Therefore, with the additional test being required and costing so much money, I find it doubtful that they would use it on a pre-employment screen. It would make more sense and be more beneficial for them to do it later, after they have hired someone and may find themselves with reasons to check for it.

From most of the other posts we've had on the site, I can also say that most people have found that employment screenings did not test for it.

I am not sure how much help this is to your peace of mind, but that's the best I can do!


https:/­/­rxchat.com/­wiki/­Suboxone/­

Does anyone else have anything to add?

Was this helpful? 0
4

The hospital I worked for did hair and urine testing.Being a large hospital, the get discounts because of the volumn of tests they do. So not sure what will show if they do hair testing also.

Was this helpful? 0
5

Certified HIPAA Privacy Security Expert
Certified HIPAA Security Expert
Certified HIPAA Privacy Expert
Certified HIPAA Privacy Associate

Was this helpful? 0
6

I have a drug test tomorrow and I am legally prescribed suboxone. It is for my new job and am I ok as long as I bring proof that I'm taking it as prescribed?

Was this helpful? 0
7

Thanks for all the help.

Donna - what you said really interests me. Particularly they did hair testing. I don't think that's fair because won't that show drugs in your body from up to 90 days in the past? Did anything show up on your hair test? I would really like to know what hospital you work at, could you tell me? Do they do random testing too? What's that like?

Thank you.

Was this helpful? 0
8

I have done a lot of research on this and you are protected by HIPAA regulations. You should tell them you have a legal prescription, just as you would if you had a legal prescription for Xanax or Ativan or Vicoden and were taking them at the time. What HIPAA will protect you from is this: once your employer or lab (whoever does the testing) knows you have a valid prescription they cannot ask you and questions about it, discriminate (you are protected by American Disabilities Act), or enquire any further about your prescription with either you or your doctor. This is to the best of my knowledge and if anyone feels my reply needs to be refined because they know more let us know. Bottom line is you are protected by HIPAA regulations, the employer can't discriminate against you based on prior opiate addiction because that is considered a disability so you're protected by ADA, and I personally don't think there is so much stigma around taking suboxone than there is for methadone, and I believe the stigma (as what employers read between the lines) regarding their own thoughts as to why you are on suboxone (oh he's taking that to get off the junk) is not what it used to be, say 10 years ago. With a prescription you're fine. What kind of job are you applying for?

Was this helpful? 4
9

so I am wondering did you pass your pre employment drug test? I had to take on elast week and haven't heard anything back yet. Thanks

Was this helpful? 0
10

I was drug tested on my very last day of rehab and they thought I was completely tapered off the Suboxone when in fact I had still been taking it every day 4mg a day up until the date of the test and it was a five panel urine test which came out clean of everything for me.

Was this helpful? 1
11

Like some of the other people on here I just graduated from school and will be starting my externship at a small health center. I am currently prescribed suboxone and Xanax, my question is will the suboxone show up if they test me? Also, would they hire someone taking Xanax?

Was this helpful? 1
12

I started a job today and it required a pre-employment drug screen. As instructed I listed suboxone as I have a legal prescription. I was approached by a company nurse who said i could not work there. I was terminated on the spot. Is this legal?

Was this helpful? 0
13

Hospitals do a special health professionals drug screen. It is expanded to include more prescription drugs. I know 3 years ago, it included tramadol, oxycodone, hydrocodone, in addition to the standards. At the time, it did not include bupenorphine. I don't know if it has changed since then.I just looked it up. A health professional screen (which many hospitals do) does in fact test for bupenorphine.

Was this helpful? 0
14

I am surprised your doctor put you on these two medicines together.... My insurance company said they would not even cover my suboxone if i got any prescriptions of klonopin or xanax filled.

Was this helpful? 1
15

i have a prescription for soboxen and have a pre-employment at a hospital do you tink it wi be a problem?

Was this helpful? 0
16

NO.... It will not show up on a ua test... Went through reheb n sober living n was tested often while takin subs n it will not show up at all.. And anyone that says it will show up as opiates is completely wrong.. 100% on this one....

Was this helpful? 0
17

did you pass, what state?

Was this helpful? 0
18

Please let me know if you passed? I as well just took a urine test to continue my education in a city hospital as a soon to be RN. I've been on Subutex for 3 1/2 months and I am now taking 2mg to 4mg a day, soon to be 0mg. My urine is now at a lab and my paper work says it's a 6 panel test, but I drank a good bit of water; therefore, I'm a little worried that the lab will or my Nursing Advisor will call to ask for a second. Anyhow, MOSTLY worried about the subs being detected in the lab. I did write on paper that I have a script for xanax (anxiety and sleep) and a script for celexa (anxiety). My questions are: DID YOU LADIES PASS? I know every test is different, but I'm concerned that my urine may be suspicious or different because of the subs and the lab will further check? Actually, I am a nervous wreck! Even if it's bad news, please, I'd like to know what happened, thanks.

Was this helpful? 0
19

I passed a 10 panel, I was also able to see what the lab was testing for. Bup was not on it. I also stopped taking it 8 days before.. I was on 4mgs. I'm not on any other meds though. As others have mentioned in the other posts, benzo's and subs are not supossed to be taken together, I'm suprised ur dr put you on both of them. I have heard nurses get tested for a larger class of drugs bc they distribute narcs. I wouldn't worry about a 6 panel. I'm in the healthcare field as well and the large hospital I tested for did a 10 panel...which I passed.

Was this helpful? 1
20

Drew never came back and tell us if he passed the pre-employment test. He just disappeared so obviously he failed or went to prison. He asked a lot of questions and doesn't share the result. He sure is an imbecile and phone person!

Was this helpful? 6
Page:1Last Page

Most Recent Replies:

30

Re: cardiac923 (# 19) Expand Referenced Message

You don’t even understand how helpful this comment is thank you

Was this helpful? 0
29

Re: NoName (# 20) Expand Referenced Message

Or he passed and got his anwser,so why bother responding back

Was this helpful? 0
28

Took suboxone today my pain management taking a oral fluid swab test on Tuesday will it show up

Was this helpful? 0
27

Took suboxone today and see my pain management on Tuesday coming up will it show on a oral fluid swab

Was this helpful? 0
26

Was it tested for? Hope everything went well for u. I'm kinda in the same boat. I'm not prescribed it, my husband is. It cost to much for us both to go so we share.

Was this helpful? 0
25

Would you mind sharing what state you are in? I am worried about this as I have a test coming up.

Was this helpful? 0
24

I did a drug screen for a hospital job, I too was told they do not test for it however I failed my test due to a subutex/suboxon result. They do test for it. I too have been saved by taking subutex & lost my health ins so I could not afford to go back to the dr for it. I still take it, unprescribed. My addvice, dont take it for 3 days before going to test.

Was this helpful? 0
23

I work in hospital. Nurse. I had drug screen, i am on xanax and suboxone. 5days after urine, u have to leave a phone number for the mro. I got called on the xanax was position for benzodiazapan. They called pharmacy, and i got negative results n working since, all jobs test for thc, cocaine, opiates,benzodiazapan, methamphetamine. Some r amphetamine, mdma,pcp, buprenorphine. A lot of different ones

Was this helpful? 0
22

I got a prescription for vicoden about 8 months ago, and I work in an oil refinery which randomly drug tests. My question is, if I took some vicoden now and then was tested, could I show my work my old prescription?

Was this helpful? 0
21

I too take suboxone and have a interview soon at a very large hospital but for a kitchen position. If I get the job I might have to take a drug test. I've never failed a test while taking subs but I'm worried around here they might actually test for it so I'm considering cutting down from 6 mg to 2mg then stopping the day before the interview which hopefully gives me a couple days or a week beforeany drug test I have to take if I get the job. Is this sound like a good idea? Has anyone heard of any hospital testing for bup? and how long after you got the job did they make u take a drug test?

Was this helpful? 0
Sort Thread by Most Recent

More Discussions:

Onsite employment drug test *suboxone*

I've been dealing with addiction to pain medication for a few years now. Only a few months ago did I finally admit t...

1 REPLY
Suboxone and employment lab test

So, I have been in a suboxone treatment program. I have been tapering down and am about to stop. I should have a very im...

suboxone and pre employment drug screen

I am prescribed suboxone for an opiate addiction maintenance program. First, will it show up in a ten panel test? Second...

109 REPLIES
Drug testing for pre employment adderall

I'm a 22 year old female, weighing about 130 pounds. I took one 20mg adderall on Monday around 8 am and had a drug t...

1 REPLY
Pre employment drug test and physical

I'm prescribed 2 mg Xanax a day and have been for about 5 years. I took 2 MG Ativan one time. Will the Ativan make m...

9 REPLIES
Pre employment drug test, failed result, prescribed methadone

I took a pretty employment drug test for a CNA position and they said I failed. I am legally prescribed methadone so is ...

1 REPLY
lorazepam drug test pre employment

I took ativan the day before my urine drug screen for pre employment. They did a Twelve panel drug screen and I tested n...

pre employment urine drug tests

I took a pre employment drug test by urinalysis exactly nine days ago. I was told the results take only a few days to co...

2 REPLIES
Hydrocodone Urine Drug Test for Employment HELP

I've got a routine urine test on the 17th for employment, and I took two of 3600 V (Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone 50...

1 REPLY
Adderall and new employment drug test

I took 90mg total of adderall on friday, last dose was at 10pm. I got called to come do an interview on wed at 10 am and...

1 REPLY