Tuberculosis Information
TUBERCULOSIS (TB) INFORMATION
Effective January 1, 2015, all persons initially employed by a school district who have not been screened for TB in the past 60 days, must have a TB Risk Assessment by a Physician, Physician Assistant, Nurse Practitioner, or Registered Nurse. If no risk factors are identified, a Certificate of Completion must be provided by that provider not more than sixty (60) days prior to the date of being processed and submitted to the Human Resource Services Division.
If risk factors are identified, a TB skin test or Quantiferon blood test is to be performed. If either test is positive, a chest x-ray will be taken. Once the Physician, Physician Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner performing these examinations determines that the individual is free from infectious tuberculosis, they will complete the Certificate of Completion with the dates of those results noted. The Certificate of Completion must be signed within 60 days prior to the date of processing and the x-ray done within 6 months prior to the date of processing.
All San Diego Unified employees, including visiting teachers and all other substitute and temporary employees, shall be required to provide a tuberculosis (TB) certificate of clearance by skin test, Quantiferon blood test or tuberculosis risk assessment form at least once every four years, at least five days prior to the expiration date of their current TB certificate. No employee may work without a valid TB certificate on file showing the employee was examined and found to be free from active tuberculosis. Visiting teachers who allow their certificates to lapse will receive no further assignments from the district's automated substitute calling system until such time as they have complied with the requirement to renew their certificate and receive approval from Human Resource Services Division to resume employment.
Frequently Asked Questions
My TB test has expired. What do I do?
Contact the School Nurse at your site or your local neighborhood school for their schedule. An initial California School Employee TB Risk Assessment Questionnaire will need to be completed in person with the School Nurse.
If you are not at a school site, you can complete the TB Risk Assessment Questionnaire Google Form linked here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeT002NU5AehwDBR9p-1kSITcXo3oCBVxfO8yG2eOorwD5bGQ/viewform and a nurse will contact you on the next Friday between the hours of 12:30 and 2:30.
If no risk factors are identified, the employee is given a Certificate of Completion. The Certificate of Completion should be emailed to [email protected].
If risk factors are identified, a TB skin test or Quantiferon blood test is to be performed. If either test is positive, a chest x-ray will need to be taken. Once the Physician, Physician Assistant, or Nurse Practitioner performing these examinations determines that the individual is free from infectious tuberculosis, they will complete the Certificate of Completion with the dates of those results noted.
I have a positive TB test and a negative chest x-ray on file. Do I need to submit a new to a new chest x-ry every four (4) years?
No, once a person has a documented positive TB test followed by a negative chest x-ray, repeat x-rays are no longer required every four years. If an employee or volunteer becomes symptomatic for TB, then he/she should promptly seek care from their health care provider.
Continuing District employees will be reimbursed per the district reimbursement procedure up to $10.00. Please use the link below for directions.
Click here for reimbursement steps
Related Forms and Procedures
Administrative Procedure 7065
California School Employee Tuberculosis (TB) Risk Assessment Questionnaire