Choosing the career that’s right for you

For someone with a bleeding disorder, a successful career isn’t just about being able to utilize your skills and talents to produce useful products and services, but also about choosing a career that will support your health.¹

“It’s rewarding to see patients learn and grow as they mature through every stage of life. They become strong advocates. And that’s always our goal; to empower them so they can advocate for themselves.“ — Lisa, Takeda clinical specialist

Consider job setting and activity level

The physical work environment at a job can be a help or hindrance and can greatly impact overall quality of life.² A factory or warehouse may be more dangerous than an office. Traveling can be difficult because you may experience a lack of access to medical care with bleeding disorder knowledge and experience.² If you have severe hemophilia, a physical job such as a paramedic, nurse, or vet tech may not be a good fit. However, working as a health writer or lab tech may be fine.

Look carefully at health insurance benefits

Having good health insurance is important for people with a bleeding disorder. Medical costs can be high, so people living with a bleeding disorder should have a good understanding of their coverage. You’ll need to check to see what will be covered and what you will pay out-of-pocket from copays, co-insurance, and deductibles.⁴

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 plan:⁵

Talking about your bleeding disorder at work

Throughout your life, if you are living with a bleeding disorder, you will be faced with the decision of whether or not to disclose your bleeding disorder.⁶

Learn how to talk about your bleeding disorder at work

When it comes to workplace disclosure, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities. The ADA protects you from being asked by your employer if you have a disability and/or about the nature of your disability. You also have the right to not disclose your bleeding disorder unless it directly affects your ability to do your job effectively. However, disclosing your disability will qualify you for reasonable accommodations that will help you keep working even during a severe bleed or other issue.⁷

If you do decide it’s a good idea for you to disclose your bleeding disorder, the ADA recommends you and your employer create an action plan in case of a bleed or other emergency. This can include educating other employees, keeping treatment on site, and sharing detailed instructions about what to do in case you need to go to the ER.⁷