AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE & DENTISTRY

Individuals with Disabilities as Effective Healthcare Workers

BY H. BARRY WALDMAN, DDS, MPH, PHD AND STEVEN P. PERLMAN, DDS, MSCD, DHL (HON)

In a few short years, your teenager with a disability will be completing her/his high school education. What's next? A college education, an entry level job opportunity or just thinking and hoping for some eventual job?

"People with disabilities can pursue successful careers in the healthcare field, but it's not easy. The opportunities are out there, and so are the obstacles, from facilities and equipment that may need expensive accommodations to licensing requirements that necessarily put patient care and safety above all else. It's often the organizations and resources job seekers with disabilities use that make all the difference when it comes to landing a healthcare job."1

Probably the most difficult questions to be considered for a soon-to-be young adult child (and for the teenager with a disability) would be regarding the type of employment: 1) Am I capable of handling such a job? 2) Will I be faced with discrimination because my disability? Every job seeker knows the importance of determining if a position is a good fit. For workers with disabilities, however, that knowledge is even more crucial. Working in an ill-fitting environment is more than emotionally taxing; it can be physically harrowing.

There is also the reality that many teenagers change their mind regarding career paths. For example, one of the authors (HBW) was an 18-year-old, first-year dental student in 1954, when the dean of school asked him whether he would consider a career as a dental school instructor. The emphatic response was NEVER! In 1963, this older (and wiser?) practitioner began his still- ongoing 57th year of clinical and didactic university dental school teaching. Your child and you should carry out an extended effort to review potential areas of interest for employment before your teenager settles on a specific career. The Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook describes different pro fessions' tasks, working conditions, training and education required, earnings and expected job prospects. The Job Accommodation Network also offers extensive services. 2 Once the youngster narrows the choices, remember to keep researching. A lot depends on the workplace environment. For example, large corporations with multiple locations might allow more flexibility; is telecommunication a possibility?

HOW ABOUT A CAREER PATH AS A HEALTHCARE WORKER?

"Healthcare occupations span the gamut in terms of tasks, educational and performance requirements. Although it might be difficult to become a paramedic or EMT with some kinds of disabilities, other occupations such as dietetics or health information could offer opportunities. Medical transcription is another possibility for a healthcare career. Dispensing opticians, optometrists, pharmacists and speech-language pathologists could be disabled and still perform the essential functions of their jobs. Medical billing and coding are another option for a person with a disability who has physical limitations. A disability need not limit your chances to work in healthcare." 3

Keep in mind, after growing up with a disability, she/he must have had uncountable numbers of first-hand experiences and probably has become an expert on the receiving end of health care services from a wide range of providers. While receiving and providing care are opposite ends of the "system," your former teenager has had ample opportunities to experience and observe the many advantageous and unfavorable components of healthcare worker's activities and the difficulties to be faced by the worker and the patient. People with disabilities can pursue successful careers in the healthcare field, but it's not easy. The opportunities are out there, and so are the obstacles, from facilities and equipment that may need expensive accommodations to licensing requirements that necessarily put patient care and safety above all else. If only because they must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act, major healthcare employers – from home-care agencies to hospitals – are finding ways to integrate workers with disabilities into their workforces. 1

SORTING IT OUT: Healthcare occupations span the gamut in terms of tasks and requirements. Dispensing opticians, optometrists, pharmacists and speech-language pathologists could be disabled and still perform the essential functions of their jobs.

A first step would be to contact The Society of Healthcare Professionals with Disabilities which can provide resources and support for medical professionals, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, clinicians, and students with disabilities.4 Learn the educational, license requirements, preparation for employment, probability of employment and salary potential. Ultimately, a decision is made and the young adult will have completed the required preparatory steps to seek employment.

GETTING THE JOB

The reality is that people with disabilities may have to work harder to secure a new position. The most important job search tool – the resume – has to be thorough and well done.

Should you disclose a disability on your resume? "The first thing job seekers need to ask themselves is, 'Can I do the job?' If the answer is yes and the disability doesn't affect job performance, then don't mention it… Never reveal a disability on a resume... citing the possibility of discrimination or preconceived, inaccurate notions about disabilities…"5

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

There are federal laws that protect job seekers with disabilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 makes it illegal for employers to ask job candidates about their medical history during a job interview. More important, it requires employers to provide "reasonable accommodations" to qualified job applicants or employees.

A reasonable accommodation is any modification or adjustment to a job or work environment that will enable an employee with a disability to perform essential job functions. (Reasonable accommodation examples include modifying the height of desks and equipment, installing computer screen magnifiers, or installing telecommunications for the deaf.)

Notes: "It is illegal for employers to ask questions about a disability until a job is offered… You cannot get accommodations without disclosing your disability before accepting a job offer…There is no shame about requesting an accommodation you need in order to be successful at your job."6 The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a service provided by the U.S. Office of Disability Employment Policy. JAN facilitates the employment and retention of workers with disabilities by providing employers, employment providers, people with disabilities, their family members, and other interested parties with information on job accommodations, entrepreneurship, and related subjects. JAN's efforts are in support of the employment, including self-employment and small business ownership, of people with disabilities.

ASSUMING EMPLOYMENT IN THE HEALTHCARE FIELD DIDN'T WORK OUT

The time, effort, expenses and emotional expenditures have not been wasted. Instead, the challenges can better prepare the young woman or man with disabilities for a second (or more) try. The lessons learned from applications, interviews and more can be an essential learning process for a youngster's initial introduction to the realities of hiring individuals, with and without disabilities.

PARENTAL GUIDANCE

Fifteen to 20 or more years of support for your developing child with a disability (and the entire family) have taught you that seemingly insurmountable obstacles can and will be overcome. The need is now to continue to transmit this determination to your special child.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

H. Barry Waldman, DDS, MPH, PhD is a SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professor, Department of General Dentistry, Stony Brook University, NY. E-mail: h.waldman@stonybrook.edu. Steven P. Perlman, DDS, MScD, DHL (Hon) is the Global Clinical Director and founder, Special Olympics, Special Smiles; and Clinical Professor of Pediatric Dentistry, The Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine.

References

1. Rossheim J. Healthcare careers for workers with disabilities Available from: monster.com/career-advice/article/Healthcare-Careers-for-Workers-with-Disabilities Accessed October 4, 2020.

2. The Society of Healthcare Professionals with Disabilities. Available from: disabilitysociety.org Accessed July 18, 2020.

3. Greenwood B. Health care jobs for the disabled. Available from: work.chron.com/health-care-jobs-disabled-29062.html Accessed October 5, 2020.

4. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Persons with a Disability: Labor Force Characteristics Summary. Available from: bls.gov/news.release/disabl.nr0.htm Accessed October 5, 2020

5. Isaacs K. Should you disclose a disability on your resume? Available from: monster.com/career-advice/article/Disclose-Disability-on-Resume Accessed October 5, 2020.

6. Bortz D. How to get a job when you have a disability. Available from: monster.com/career-advice/article/tips-for-jobhunting-with-a-disability Accessed October 5, 2020.

7. Job Accommodation Network Available from: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Job_Accommodation_Network Accessed October 5, 2020.