All claimants will have the opportunity to participate in a telephone interview. The telephone interview provides claimants with the opportunity to inform NIOSH of any additional information regarding the work history of the energy employee that might not be contained in the exposure monitoring information we receive from the Department of Energy (DOE) or Atomic Weapons Employer (AWE).
To answer questions about the telephone interview, NIOSH has developed a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below. Links to other program FAQs are located on the "Find It!" navigation box under "On this page . . . "
Select the question you are interested in below by clicking its link. You will be taken to the answer located on this page. Links throughout the FAQs will guide you to further information.
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Telephone Interviews FAQs
- What is the purpose of the telephone interview?
The telephone interview is an opportunity for you to provide NIOSH with additional information on your work activities which may have contributed to your radiation exposures. In some cases, we know that the energy employee may have experienced additional situations that might have contributed to his/her radiation exposure that are not described in the radiation exposure information we receive.
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- How does NIOSH determine the order for when the telephone interviews are conducted?
Our contractor, Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), is responsible for conducting the telephone interviews. ORAU has been instructed to conduct the interviews in the order that we have received the cases whenever possible.
At times, specific information (i.e., exposure information, completed technical documents, or exposure models) may become available for certain sites that will allow ORAU to complete the draft dose reconstruction for cases originating from those sites. Therefore, ORAU may need to conduct the interviews for these cases so they can complete the dose reconstruction process (this will mean that some interviews will not occur in the order that we have received the cases).
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- How long does the telephone interview take?
The telephone interview takes about an hour, on average, to complete.
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- Do I have to participate in the telephone interview?
No, you do not have to participate in the telephone interview. While we encourage all claimants to participate in the interview process, participation is voluntary. Even though some claimants may not be able to answer all of the questions during the interview or have limited answers to the questions, any information provided during the interview may be useful in conducting the dose reconstruction.
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- Who do I contact at NIOSH to decline the telephone interview?
Please call ORAU toll-free at 1-800-790-ORAU (1-800-790-6728) and ask to speak to a telephone interview scheduler. Let them know that you do not wish to have a telephone interview.
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- Will the information I provide in the telephone interview be treated as confidential?
Yes, if you choose to be interviewed, the information you provide will be treated in a confidential manner unless otherwise compelled by law. The information you provide to ORAU
will be shared with staff working for NIOSH and the Department of Labor, both of whom have roles in administering this program.
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- I have special needs for the telephone interview (e.g. hearing impairment, Spanish-speaking interview, etc.). How will this be handled?
If you have any special needs for the telephone interview, ORAU will make arrangements to meet those special needs. No matter what the circumstance, we will provide each claimant with an opportunity to participate.
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- How can I prepare for the telephone interview?
To help you prepare for the telephone interview, we enclose a list of the questions that will be covered in the telephone interview letter. When you
have reviewed the questions and feel that you are ready to schedule your telephone interview, please call ORAU toll-free at 1-800-790-ORAU (1-800-790-6728) and ask to speak to the telephone interview scheduler.
For additional information on the telephone interview (including a list of information to be covered during the interview), please see the Phone Interview Information page of our Web site.
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- Do I send the questionnaire back to NIOSH once I've completed it?
No, please DO NOT send this questionnaire back to us; we will take this information by telephone.
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- When I'm ready to schedule the telephone interview, who do I contact?
When you have reviewed the enclosed questions and feel that you are ready to schedule your telephone interview, please call ORAU toll-free at 1-800-790-ORAU (1-800-790-6728) and ask to speak to the telephone interview scheduler.
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- What is the best time to call to schedule a telephone interview?
The best time to call to schedule a telephone interview is from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern time. However, we have found that calls placed between 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. may experience a shorter wait time for you in scheduling the interview.
Keep in mind that this initial call is simply to SCHEDULE your interview, not to actually perform the interview.
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- What is the next step in the process after I've had the telephone interview?
After the telephone interview has been completed, a summary report will be prepared and sent to you for your review. Your review will help us ensure the information accurately reflects what you provided to us during the phone interview.
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- What is the telephone interview summary report?
The telephone interview summary report summarizes the information you provided to ORAU during your initial telephone interview. You will receive this report after the telephone interview has occurred.
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- What is the purpose of the telephone interview summary report?
The purpose of the telephone interview report is to provide you with an opportunity to review the information you provided to us. Your review will help us ensure the information accurately reflects what you stated during the telephone interview.
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- How is the information that I provided during the telephone interview used?
We will use this information, along with your exposure monitoring information, to conduct the dose reconstruction for your case.
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- Who do I contact if I have corrections or additions to make to the summary report?
If you have any corrections or additions to make to the report, please call ORAU toll-free at 1-800-790-ORAU (1-800-790-6728).
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- How long do I have to let NIOSH know about any corrections or additions?
You have two weeks to notify ORAU of any corrections or additions so that the changes can be incorporated into your records. Otherwise, we will proceed with the dose reconstruction for your case.
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- What is the next step after the summary report is completed?
Once your case is ready for dose reconstruction, we will send a letter to you that provides information about NIOSH's policy of selecting a Health Physicist(s) to work on a dose reconstruction for a case (see Conflict of Interest Letter). This letter states that a dose reconstruction will not be assigned to a Health Physicist who worked at the same covered facility as the energy employee represented in the case.
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- Who do I contact if I have additional questions about the telephone interview?
If you have any additional questions about the telephone interviews, please call ORAU toll-free at 1-800-790-ORAU (1-800-790-6728).
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Page last updated: November 3, 2008
Page last reviewed: May 30, 2008
Content Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
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