Repost for Katie - Health Card

Last time I did it the cost was $35 - it may have gone up a buck or two - takes about ten days because is it typically a two visit event. You can have a local physican do the test and take the results to the health department on the day they are doing the cards but it will cost more. You can work on the receipt from your first visit for the health card.
Pamela.

My neighbor got his card in two days, however he was able to get it all done that quickly by some luck. You go to the hospital (second floor) between 1-3 in the afternoon, I was advised to go early. You then have to return a second day for the poo test. Sorry, but it is true. You have to give a stool sample. Okay, I grossed myself out. Anyway, point is that if you go early on both days, you should be able to get the health card in two days minimum or a week or so max. The card can be used as identification on the island for a lot of things - getting a bank account, etc. I don't have two forms of I.D. - just my driver's license, so I can see the benefits of that. The heath card has your picture and other info. I have heard that once you have your card, you can get hired on the spot at many restaurants. Otherwise, you shouldn't bother trying to get a job in the food industry until you have it. Good luck with everything!

Teresa

Hello,

Health cards are issued at the Community Health Clinic. On St. Thomas the clinic is located in the Roy Schneider Hospital, second floor. The office is open from 1pm-3pm. For more information call the Clinic at (340)774-7477.

The cost is around $46 for everything ($30 for the Health Card; and the stool test from a lab will likely run around $16). When I called about two weeks ago the lady said you can do the stool test as any lab on island for around $15 and change... $16 and then you bring the results back to them.

Requirements that you have to bring with you to the Health Clinic are a photo ID, picture, a social security card and results of the stool test.

--Islander

Is the health card needed for jobs at local business in the accounting/finance fields, or just for jobs in the food industry? Thanks,

Patrick

Just food handlers. I'm not sure about host/hostess/cashier type jobs in restaurants.

Eeek-a-beek!

So ya gotta do the "poo test" part yourself and deliver it to them like a pizza for a late, one-o'clock lunch? Eeek-a-beek! I'd rather them just go fishing for one themselves. Guess I gots ta do it if I want to work in a restaurant, though. No blood tests? I hate needles.

🙁

I'm scared.....I don't wanna turn in poo.

🙁

Alix

Alix,

I know, I felt the same way. I just got my health card today. Not as bad as it sounds actually. They give you a container for the specimen. It has a screw type lid and attached to the lid is a little bitty scoop. You just scoop a little of your poo and put it in the container without touching the poo.

This was the procedure I followed at the hospital on STT:

First pick up paperwork from health dept (second floor receptionist) and pay $16.50 (exact change and cash to cashier) for labs (at hospital). Stop by lab (1st floor) and obtain container. Next day - take the container with specimen to the lab at the hospital from 7-9 a.m. and leave filled out paperwork and receipt. Go back to the hospital to the health department from 1 - 3 p.m. and bring (government issued) photo i.d., ssn card, $30 cash. Take a number to Register, after registering - pay cashier and obtain receipt, using same number wait and to have blood pressure taken and recieve results of lab, then using same number get photo taken (digital), and walk out with health card! Total cost $46.50 and a couple of hours.

As stated before, you can get lab results outside of hospital. Just bring them with you to the health dept from 1 - 3 p.m. (Mon - Fri).

The card is good for a year and recommended to obtain before applying for a food service job.

Teresa

Eeek-a-beek!

So, are we really having a poo conversation on the board? LOL.... 🙂 We are NOT right!

What a trip.

So, you go like normal and scoop? I have so many questions on this and I don't want any innocent passers-by to puke.

Eeek-a-beek!

Thanks for the info. I think I may go for a nice desk job. LOL....

Fun fun fun day in the sun! Poo and get a card. Interesting.

Alix

There is an easier and cheaper way. At least for the test. You go to a local lab. Mine charges $10. If you take it in the morning, tey give you the results back by 12 0r 1. The place at the hospital opens at 1 and you can get the card done between then and 2:45. All in one day! No need to go back for another year. I get the little tubes by the bagful for my tenants. You can use something else if you wish.

RL

Sounds like the "soup Nazi" episode from Seinfeld.

Twindomes, too funny! Ronnie, where are these labs? Are they doctor's offices? I wish I had done that. I really saw too much of the hospital! 🙂 Although, I have to say that everyone that I interacted with at the hospital was very friendly or maybe they were just laughing at me. 🙂

Teresa

Cranston-Dottin Labs at the Medical Arts Complex. Right behind the Banco Popular main office on the highway. It's next dorr to the Scotiabank-Altona.

RL

Thanks Ronnie. Next year I will do that and visit the hospital once. Sounds much easier.

Teresa

Ok I have a question. I have to have a physical for grad school at the university, and that includes the caca test. haha. However, I am getting the physical here ( here is Massachusetts). Do I have to do it again for a job in the health industry, or can I use the same results for the health card?? Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hello Becky,

Bring the results from the stool test and when you go for the health card you can present it. If they don't accept it then you can get another one done, if they do you'll be one step ahead.

--Islander

Some updated information on the health cards...

You can go to the hospital in the afternoon (1-2:45), do your specimen collection in the lab right then and leave it with them - no need to return the sample the next AM unless want to take the container home. The next afternoon return when the Health Dept opens and the Health Dept will have your results waiting back where you got the initial paperwork.

The $16.50 for the lab test is paid to the emergency room cashier, not the cashier at the Health Dept, and they apparently take credit cards (but not for the $30 to the Health Dept).

You will need your photo ID and social security card on both trips but no need to bring a picture.

It was really a pretty hassle-free, easy process.

Ryan: For clarification- the hospital (and lab) and Community Health are two separate government entities. The hospital is semi-autonomous and has a board, Community Health is part of the Health Department. Very confusing, to be sure.

Sorry to dredge up a nasty post, but...

Does anyone know if the requirement for a social security card is for ID purposes only or if you MUST have the card in hand in order to apply for the health card?

My stepdaughter is here for an internship and she needs a health card ASAP but her SS card won't be ready for a while.

Thanks!

Onik'a