Health cards

Community Health is currently located within Schneider Regional, go through the "back" entrance (It says Community Health over the door ;))

I recommend going with someone who is renewing their card and knows the ropes. It's not difficult, but if you don't know what to expect, sometimes you can sit for hours (literally). Even renewals can be frustrating because nobody tells you the order of events or what to do or where to go. In my opinion, the health card process is less efficient that the various DMV processes. DMV has improved greatly in the last couple of years. Hopefully Community Health has too. Take a book or crossword, just in case. Also, locally, it is called a "food handlers card".
I assume someone has already told you what to take with you (in addition to your social security card)???

You need to take a stool sample in to be tested for parasites. I recommend going to the Cranston-Dottin lab in Altona, behind the Banco Popular, next to the Scotiabank, in the Medical Arts Complex. You need to do this early in the morning. They will have your results by mid day. The cost is $10. Then you take that to the Community Center as explained before. Once there you go to the receptionist who looks at your ID and you will need your Social Security card as well. She then issues you a number, you wait for it to be called, then you go to the intake person that gets your info. After that you go to the cashier's window and pay $30. Then back to the sitting area and wait your turn to go to have your blood pressure taken. Once you pass that, the next step is the picture taking. Time passes pretty quickly. Just make sure you get there between 1 and 2:45. The don't do it any sooner and they won't take anyone after 2:45 as they finish at 3pm! Also remember to say good afternoon with each new person you encounter along the way.

You can go there the first day with your sample and pay $13 to get it tested and then come back in two days for the card. Doing it my way saves you money and time!

RL

omg, Ronnie, you ROCK!! Thanks East Ender and Juanita, also...you guys are a wealth of info...I knew I could find out specifics on here. This board is priceless!!

I learned a few years ago, when my husband and I got married here, to greet everyone with a friendly, "Good morning, afternoon, etc." gets you so much further! Being from the South helps also as our greeting words may be a little different but polite formalities get you a long way...

I will be moving down in about two weeks and planing to get a job bar tending or serving food. I have a few questions about the health card. Do you have to get your sample tested on the island or is that something I could do before I move and bring the paperwork down? Will an employer hire you without a health card if you plan on getting one soon or should I not bother with interviewing until I have one? What kind of sample do they need, I'm thinking Tupperware?lol

it took me less than an hour to renew on st croix