Career
Considerations

You should explore career options based on your interests and skills. Also, you may want to think about what you want from a career and a potential employer or work environment – such as salary, company size, work hours, and benefits. You may also need to carefully consider how hemophilia could impact your career choice.

Education Advantage Video

Check out Nicholas talking about making the change to a new HTC.

  • 1. Consider physical demands

    When evaluating job options, you should consider avoiding1,2:

    • Work that puts stress on joints, such as jobs that involve a lot of heavy lifting or bending
    • High-impact occupations like construction and contact sports
    • Potentially hazardous occupations with increased risk of injury

  • 2. Insure your future

    Before you accept any offers, review the employer’s health insurance plan and evaluate how much of your treatment and medical care will be covered. The following questions will help you assess your plan3:

    • Does the plan cover factor?
    • Will you be able to keep your existing doctors and does the plan include your hemophilia treatment center?
    • Does the plan have a lifetime limit or cap?
    • How much are the premiums, annual deductible, and out-of-pocket costs?

    Proactively manage your insurance situation and receive a wide range of support by enrolling in Baxter’s CARE program. Regardless of your current therapy, the CARE program helps to ensure access to treatment and provides a variety of insurance resources.

    Contact the Bleeding Disorders Legal Hotline (1-800-520-6154), a confidential hotline staffed by experts in legal and workplace issues. The Bleeding Disorders Legal Hotline is operated by the Lone Star Chapter of the National Hemophilia Foundation (NHF) through exclusive support from Baxter. You can also contact HANDI (1-800-42HANDI), NHF's information resource center for answers to your insurance questions.

  • 3. Locate the nearest HTC

    If you get a bleed while at work or need extra assistance, you want to ensure there is a treatment center that you can get to easily. Find the nearest HTC in your city.

  • 4. Find vocational rehabilitation programs

    Vocational rehabilitation counselors work with you to help find a job that is compatible with hemophilia. Vocational rehabilitation programs provide services including counseling, evaluation, training, and job placement for people with disabilities.4 Find vocational rehabilitation programs in your area or contact your treatment center for more information on vocational rehabilitation programs.

As with any decision affecting your medical care, you should always consult with your physician beforehand.

Read Brett’s Story

Read how Brett's hemophilia inspired him to succeed.
  1. O’Connell D. What’s next? HemAware. July/August 2009:18-27.
  2. Dietrich SL. Hemophilia. In: Stolov WC, Clowers MR, eds. Handbook of Severe Disability: A Text for Rehabilitation Counselors, Other Vocational Practitioners, and Allied Health Professionals. U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration. 1981:341-348.
  3. Fitzwater M. Questions to ask about your health insurance. Horizons in Hemophilia. Spring 2007. Available at www.hog.org. Accessed August 24, 2009.
  4. US Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Counselors. In: Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009. Available at: www.bls.gov. Accessed September 2, 2009.