It’s always welcome news to have a job offer in hand, but most employers require a pre-employment drug test before you start work. Some employers also require a TB skin test, and our team at First Choice can help you with that too!

We’re proud to be Arkansas’ most trusted third-party administrator, and we offer industry-leading reporting times on lab tests, physical exams, and background checks. We keep a Medical Review Officer (MRO) on staff to ensure the accuracy of all testing results and proudly offer TB skin tests with no appointment needed! Here are the answers to a few of our most frequently asked questions about TB testing services in Little Rock, and we’re always a phone call away if you don’t see the answer to your specific question below:

Who needs to take a TB Skin test? Healthcare professionals, preschool and kindergarten teachers, and prison guards typically require an annual TB skin test as a standard condition of employment. It’s also a good idea for individuals who are traveling overseas or who are caring for aging or immunocompromised family members in their homes.

What are the testing procedures? You can take your test at our southwest Little Rock clinic during business hours on any weekday except Thursday. During your initial visit, we’ll inject a small amount of testing solution into your forearm using a very small needle. You’ll need to return in 48-72 hours to have the test “read,” and you’ll receive proof of a negative test on the spot. Both visits will typically take less than 15 minutes. We now also offer the QFT-Plus test, which only requires one visit. One of our associates will draw a small blood sample, which will be incubated with TB antigens in a laboratory to determine the likelihood of an infection.

What happens if I test positive? The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately ⅓ of the world’s population has latent TB but is not ill yet, and individuals with LTBIs can spread the infection despite displaying no symptoms. TB is treatable, and early detection is the key to the most successful outcomes. If you test positive, contact your doctor immediately and minimize contact with others (particularly those in high-risk populations) until you receive medical clearance from your physician.

If you have any questions about TB skin tests or any of our other testing services, contact us online or at 501-661-9992.