UMass Memorial Hospital Marlborough Implements Nicotine-Free Hiring Policy

MARLBOROUGH (CBS) -- UMass Memorial Health Care has implemented a nicotine-free hiring policy for new employees at their Marlborough hospital.

The policy, which went into effect Oct. 1, requires incoming employees to be drug tested for nicotine, Ellen Carlucci, vice president of development and marketing for UMass Memorial, told Metrowest Daily News. Following a pre-employment physical exam, they also must consent to a urine test, which will check for nicotine and several illegal drugs, and anyone who test positive won't be hired by the hospital.

In a statement released Thursday, Francis Meringolo, vice president of human resources at UMass, says hiring nicotine-free employees is part of their larger effort to be a role model in the community by setting a healthy example.

The Marlborough hospital and campus also became smoke-and-tobacco-free in 2011. All hospitals in the UMass Memorial Health Care system, including UMass Memorial Medical Center, UMass Memorial-Clinton Hospital, UMass Memorial-Health Alliance and the Marlborough hospital, have smoke-free and tobacco-free campuses.