Some of our facility partners require specific health screenings and immunizations before you can claim shifts. Depending on your state, these may also be part of your onboarding process. Staying compliant ensures you’re ready to work without delays!
Health Screenings
Annual Physical
An annual physical is a yearly medical exam to asses your overall health, screen for potential issues and provide guidance on maintaining wellness.
Annual physical requirements vary by facility. Additionally, depending on your state, an annual physical may be a mandatory part of onboarding. For details on state-specific requirements, please refer to our State-Specific Credentialing Guide.
When your physical expires, you may have an option to sign a Renewal Agreements in the app. This allows your to renew your credential without obtaining a new exam.
Note: Renewal Agreements are not accepted by all facilities. For more information on Renewal Agreements see our Vaccination and Health Screening FAQs.
Drug Screening
ShiftMed covers the cost of your required drug screening. We are unable to accept drug screens completed through another company—this must be processed through ShiftMed.
NOTE: If you’ve been sent a drug screening link but can’t find the email, please check your Spam or Junk folder.
Drug screening requirements vary by facility. Some may accept a 10-panel test, while others require a 13-panel screening. Additionally, depending on your state, a drug screening may be a mandatory part of onboarding. For details on state-specific requirements, please refer to our State-Specific Credentialing Guide.
Steps for requesting your Drug Screening in the ShiftMed app:
In the app, select Unlock for the shift you wish to claim.
Select Drug Screening.
An invite will be sent to the email address on file from KarmaCheck.
Follow the instructions in the invite and set up your account.
KarmaCheck will send a secondary email with a link to schedule your screening.
Once you've completed your screening, results will be returned to ShiftMed within 48-72 hour, and your ShiftMed credentials will be updated accordingly.
For a visual of step-by-step instructions for requesting a drug screening in the ShiftMed app, check out this video: Requesting a Drug Screening in the ShiftMed app.mp4
Important: If you don't have an option to select the Drug Screening credential in the app, you may be missing some pre-requisite credentials.
To determine which credentials are required prior to unlocking the Drug Screening Credential, select the information bubble ℹ️ in the app to get more information.
Physician's Statement of Health
A Physician's Statement of Health is a document obtained from your physician that clearly states that you are in good physical and mental health and free of any communicable diseases.
Important: This is only required if you are in Wisconsin or Pennsylvania. This is required IN ADDITION TO your annual physical and does not serve as a replacement for your annual physical/health screening.
If you have already had a physical in the last year, you can call your doctor’s office and request they fill out this form. Otherwise, you can bring this form with you when you complete your annual physical.
Tuberculosis Testing
PPD Testing: What is it?
A Purified Protein Derivative (PPD) test is a skin test that checks if you’ve been exposed to tuberculosis (TB). A small amount of protein from the TB bacteria is injected under your skin. If your body reacts, it means your immune system recognizes TB. This test is either completed in 1 or 2 steps. PPD requirements vary depending on the state you live in and the facility you are claiming with.
1 Step PPD
Single injection, checked after 48-72 hours
This means you will have TWO total visits. One to get the test placed, and one to get the test read.
If your results are negative: No TB exposure detected and document can be verified.
If your results are positive: Possible TB exposure detected and a follow-up, such as a chest x-ray, is required to rule out an active infection. Your credential will be rejected until a chest x-ray is received.
2 Step PPD
Two injections, with 7–21 days between tests.
This means you will have FOUR total visits. One to get the test placed, and one to get the test read. Then you repeat the placement and testing on your other arm.
If your results are negative: No TB exposure detected and document can be verified.
If your results are positive: Possible TB exposure detected and a follow-up, such as a chest x-ray, is required to rule out an active infection. Your credential will be rejected until a chest x-ray is received.
TB Blood Test
A TB blood test involves drawing a small amount of blood and mixing it with TB proteins in a laboratory. If a person has been infected with TB, their immune cells will react to these proteins by releasing interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). The amount of IFN-γ released is measured to determine the test result.
If your results are negative: No TB exposure detected and document can be verified.
If your results are positive: A positive TB blood test result suggests TB infection, but further tests (like a chest X-ray) are needed to determine if it's latent TB or active TB disease.
Important: Many people born outside the United States have received the TB vaccine (also known as Bacille Calmette-Guérin or BCG).
Those who have received this vaccine are typically unable to complete a PPD test because they may receive a false positive. Unlike the TB skin test, TB blood tests are not affected by BCG vaccination, making this the preferred testing method for those individuals.
Chest x-ray
If your PPD or blood test is positive, additional testing is required to rule out an active tuberculosis (TB) infection. A chest X-ray will be used to examine your lungs and determine whether an active infection is present.
When submitting your chest X-ray results in the app, ensure the following details are included:
Your Full Name, as it appears on your Profile.
Clinic, Hospital, or Doctor's Office information
Name and location
Date the x-ray was completed
Test results must indicated that the lungs are clear with no evidence of TB
Note: When your TB test expires, you may have an option to sign a Renewal Agreements in the app. This allows your to renew your credential without obtaining a new exam. Renewal Agreements are not accepted by all facilities.
For more information on Renewal Agreements see our Vaccination and Health Screening FAQs.
Vaccinations
Documentation Requirements
When adding your vaccine record(s) into the app, you must have the following information:
Your Full Name, as it appears on your Profile.
Vaccine Label
Must clearly show the name of the vaccination given
Clinic, Hospital, or Doctor's Office information
Name and location
Administration dates(s)
When adding your titer record(s) into the app, you must have the following information:
Your Full Name, as it appears on your Profile.
Titer Label
Must clearly show the name of the test completed
Clinic, Hospital, or Doctor's Office Information
Name and location
Results must show immunity
Patient Summary
Important: Please do not submit screenshots from "patient portals" as they typically do not contain all required details.
For more information on common rejection reasons, see our Vaccination and Health Screening FAQs.
Uploading Your Records into the App
To add your vaccine or titer information, follow these steps:
Go to My Credentials and tap the desired credential. This may be located under either Required, Additional, or Unlock depending on your location.
Tap on the dropdown and choose Vaccination Record or Titers
Tap Next and follow the steps to finish uploading your Vaccination Record or Titer results.
Titers vs. Vaccine Series
When uploading your credentials into the app, you'll see a few options:
Vaccination Series Completion: Documentation showing you’ve received all required doses (e.g., 2-3 shots) to be considered fully immune.
Titer: Submit a lab report confirming immunity via antibody testing. This blood test measures your immunity levels if you’ve previously received vaccines or had an infection.
If your titer results are "equivocal," it means you don't have immunity and need another vaccine.
Remember: Vaccinations provide immunity; titers verify it.
Exemptions vs. Declinations: Understanding the Difference
When uploading a vaccination in the app, you may see an option to complete a Declination. Not all facilities will accept Declinations.
Declination – A formal refusal to receive a vaccine, regardless of reason. This could be due to personal choice, distrust, philosophical objections, or other non-medical/non-religious reasons.
Exemption – A legally or institutionally recognized exception to vaccination requirements, typically based on:
Medical reasons such as allergies or immunocompromised status
Religious reasons
Important: Not all of our partner facilities will accept Religious Exemptions.
Completing a Declination in the app
Go to My Credentials and tap the desired credential. This may be located under either Required, Additional, or Unlock depending on your location.
Go to My Credentials and tap the desired credential. This may be located under either Required, Additional, or Unlock depending on your location.
Choose I decline the vaccine.
Sign the form acknowledging your declination.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination | Number of Doses to Complete Series | Frequency | Special Notes |
COVID-19 | 1 | Yearly | Some facilities may also require a booster |
Flu | 1 | Yearly | Flu is only required during Flu Season, which begins in October and ends in May. |
Hep B | 3 | Once | If your titer shows partial immunity, we will accept a negative titer IF you get a booster within a week of receiving your results. Both documents must be submitted. |
MMR | 2 | Once | If your titer shows partial immunity, we will accept a negative titer IF you get a booster following the date of your negative titer test. |
TDAP | 1 | Every 10 years | Must be for TDAP. We will not accept TD as it does not cover Pertussis. |
Varicella | 2 | Once | We cannot accept documentation stating that you've had Varicella (Chicken Pox) in the past. You must submit proof of your vaccination or a positive titer. |
Health Screening Schedule
Test/Exam | Frequency |
Annual Physical | Yearly |
Drug Screening | Once |
TB Test: PPD (1 and 2 step) | Yearly |
TB Test: Blood Test | Yearly |
TB Test: Chest x-ray | Every 5 years |
Important: While chest x-rays are valid for 5 years, some partner facilities may require more frequent testing based on their policies or regulatory requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to upload my Insurance Card in the app?
While we never require health insurance cards to claim shifts at a facility, if you wish to get COVID Tested by the facility you are claiming with, you may submit your health insurance card to help with the costs. When adding your information in the app, you must have/include the following:
Health Insurance Providers Name
Your First and Last Name
I just started my Hep B Vaccination series. When can I begin working?
Since becoming fully vaccination for Hep B is a lengthy process, some partner facilities will allow you to begin working if you've started your vaccine series within the last 6 months.
I'm unable to upload my records into the app. What should I do?
If you are having trouble uploading documents or photos. Please go to your settings and ensure that you've allowed the ShiftMed app to access your pictures and camera roll.
Make sure your phone software is on the latest software update, as this can cause issues between your phone and the app not working properly. This is also under your settings on your phone.
If you are still unable to upload your records into the app, please contact us via chat by going into the ShiftMed App > Menu > Help Center > Chat & Help Articles > Ask a Question!
My credential has been rejected. Why?
Common Rejection Reasons:
Missing required information such as your name, date, test results, etc. For more details, see the Documentation Requirements section located in this article.
Blurry, out of focus or the page is cut off
If we are unable to clearly read all required information, we are unable to verify the document and it will be rejected.
Missing full series
For vaccinations such as MMR and Hep B and Varicella, multiple doses are required for the series to be considered complete. Until you've completed the series, you are not considered fully immunized and we are unable to verify your credential.
Incorrect document uploaded
To avoid delays and credential rejections, please ensure you are uploading your documents to the correct credential in the app. For example, if you upload a CPR certificate under your MMR credential, this will be rejected as an incorrect document.
What is a Renewal Agreement?
If you are a ShiftMed employee and have an expired annual physical, you may complete an in-app Annual Physical Renewal Agreement.
This agreement, if read and signed, may be able to extend your current annual physical. The self-health screener is a quick, simple form that requires you to answer a few questions and sign to complete. Completing this may allow you to extend your annual physical credential on file and continue to work.
There are three questions that will need to be answered:
Have there been any changes in your health since the date of your last physical or annual self-health assessment that would prohibit you from performing the essential functions of your job?
Is there anything in your current health status that puts you or the consumer at risk?
Are you addicted to or habitually use depressants, stimulants, narcotics, alcohol, hallucinogenic or other drugs?
I had my vaccinations completed during childhood. How do I obtain my medical records?
Not all states and their counties handle vaccination records the same way. We recommend the following steps for finding your childhood immunization records.
Contact your previous healthcare providers, including doctors, clinics, and hospitals.
Check with your state's health department, as many maintain immunization registries.
Check with your high school and/or college health services, as they may have records on file.
If you were in the military, contact them for your records.
If you are unable to locate your immunization records, but you believe that you are fully immunized, you can complete a titer test to showing immunity to have your credential verified.
Will ShiftMed cover the cost of my vaccination or health screenings?
ShiftMed will cover the cost of Annual Physicals in states where it is a required credential. However, in locations where it is not a state requirement, you will be responsible for covering the cost of these screenings.
At this time we are unable to assist with the cost for any vaccinations.
Drug Screenings are always covered by ShiftMed.
What should I do if I've been exposed to Covid or received a positive rapid test?
We always follow the current CDC recommendations, which can be viewed here.
Blank Health Screening Forms:
Questions?
If you have any questions, reach out to us in chat by going into the ShiftMed App > Menu > Help Center > Chat & Help Articles > Ask a Question!