Hello Jennifer,

 Thanks so much for reaching out to Cancer and Careers!

 We hear concerns regarding gaps in employment frequently, and overall what we have found is that if you are prepared with an explanation, it often isn’t a huge concern for an employer. With that said, it’s not necessary to explain exactly what you were doing during that gap, you can always provide a vague explanation. For instance, in your case, you can say you took the time to focus on your family, and now you’re really excited to focus your energy on working. You're answering their question but also steering the conversation back to the job and why you are the best candidate.

I can understand your worry about interviewing at the hospital your son was a patient at, but broadly speaking, due to HIPAA laws, they would likely be unable to look into your son’s medical records or your association with the hospital in that capacity. Of course, I am not an attorney and Cancer and Careers is not a legal organization, so it would be wise to contact an organization that focuses on the legal aspects of employment and cancer. Triage Cancer provides guidance on some of the more nuanced aspects of cancer as it relates to work, so I’d encourage you to reach out to them with more specific questions.

We have a section on our website for Caregivers with some tips and guidance on working during/after caregiving. Familiarizing yourself with some of this information may help you feel a bit more prepared to interview as you begin your job searching. We are always working to evolve and expand our content for caregivers so please make sure to explore what’s on there and to check back periodically for any updated information.

 If there is anything else we can provide, or you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at cancerandcareers@cew.org to set up a time to speak.

Warm regards,

Nicole Jarvis, LMSW

Assistant Director of Programs

Cancer and Careers