Preclinical health requirements include a health screening and immunizations and tests for infectious disease titers, with completion of the Cumulative Health Record. The choice of the physician or certified nurse practitioner is at the student's discretion.
It is important to be aware of the physical demands of the nursing program.
All students are strongly encouraged to review the drug screening procedures.
Prior to beginning the clinical portion of the program, each student will be given a Cumulative Health Record form. This record is to be completed and submitted to the school. In order to complete the record, the student will require a complete health screening with physical examination and immunization status.
Prior to beginning class and clinical experience, all students are to submit documentation of a physical examination that certifies the individual is free from, and has been vaccinated against, ordinary communicable diseases and has a health status consistent with meeting the physical demands of the nursing program.
The physical demands of the nursing program are as follows:
Technical accommodation can be made for some disabilities, but a student should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner. The use of a trained intermediary is not acceptable in that the student’s judgment must be mediated by someone else’s power of observation and selection.
Qualified students with disabilities, on an individual basis, will be provided necessary or reasonable accommodation with primary emphasis taking into consideration the educational and safety needs of the student and the safety of patients.
The process of providing accommodations to disabled students will include, but not be limited to, medical determination of the disability by the student’s licensed healthcare provider to include a statement of the student’s abilities and limitations in relation to these program requirements. The student may be evaluated by Allegheny Valley Hospital’s Occupational Health department and possibly referred for additional professional evaluation.
Mumps, Rubeola, Rubella, and Varicella titers are required. Immunizations will be required if blood screening results indicate lack of immunity.
Hepatitis B vaccination is required. If the student has already completed the three-part injection series prior to the required pre-entrance physical, the student is to have a titer done to insure immunity. Students may refuse Hepatitis B immunization or hepatitis antibody antigen screening provided they sign a release form.
A current (within the past year) 2-step purified protein derivative (PPD/Mantoux) tuberculosis test is also required.
Documentation of all vaccination dates and titers is to be included in the Cumulative Health Record.
During the clinical period, student health concerns (including medical Insurance, health screenings, and immediate professional health care for illness, accidents, medical disabilities, and communicable diseases) are the student's responsibility.
All students are strongly encouraged to carry personal health insurance coverage.
The hospital will not assume any responsibility for debts due to illness.
Each student may have a PPD (Mantoux) test for tuberculosis performed by the hospital at the end of the first year.
Influenza vaccine will be offered by the Hospital.
During Orientation, students will be given information concerning blood-borne pathogens, risks of exposure, and preventive measures.
All students are to utilize their own personal physicians for healthcare needs. Neither Allegheny Valley Hospital nor affiliating agencies will be responsible for treating ill students. If a student chooses to utilize the Allegheny Valley Hospital Emergency Department for care, the student and the student's insurance company will be billed.
Students are not provided the same benefits that hospital employees are provided under workers' compensation. For this reason, it is expected that the student will carry his/her own insurance.
Needlestick injuries or body fluid exposures will be handled according to the hospital's protocols through the Emergency Department.
After an illness of 3 days or more or after an injury requiring the application of a cast or the use of crutches, students must provide the school with a physician's release. This release is to specify whether the student may attend class or clinical and is to indicate any activity restrictions and the length of time of those restrictions.
Students are to schedule physician appointments so they do not conflict with class or clinical time.
School policy provides opportunities for students who are in good standing to complete course requirements following a prolonged absence due to a documented illness (refer to the Attendance Policy).
Accidents or injuries that occur to nursing students while in a clinical area or in the School of Nursing building must be reported within 24 hours to the School of Nursing Office so that a Supervisor's Investigation of Employee Accident Report can be filled out.
Students are encouraged to inform the Director, School of Nursing, of any medical disability or condition, to include pregnancy, that develops that might affect the safety of the students, staff, or patient during the clinical experience.
Depending on the nature of the medical condition, a statement by a physician may be required that includes the nature of the disability and physical or clinical experience accommodations or limitations required by the student. The student may be referred to Allegheny Valley Hospital's Occupational Health Department for evaluation.
Student confidentiality will be maintained regarding the nature of the medical condition, with only the Assistant Director and the Director, School of Nursing, and the Occupational Health Nurse having access to this information. Faculty involved with students will be informed of the physical/clinical limitations and accommodations only. No information will be released to any person/agency without prior written consent of the student.
Any student who contracts or has an immediate family member who contracts chickenpox, scabies, lice, or any other communicable disease must inform the Assistant Director immediately so that assurances can be made that communicable diseases are not transmitted to classmates, hospital staff, or patients.
In an effort to protect the interests of patients, employees, and students, Citizens School of Nursing will conduct drug screening on all new students.
New students are screened through the Allegheny Valley Hospital Occupational Medicine/Health Works Department.
A positive test result for any drug other than a therapeutic dosage of a legally prescribed drug or over-the-counter medication is considered grounds for dismissal.
The fee for the drug screening is charged to the student as a nonrefundable fee.
Drug screening is repeated before the Obstetrics/Pediatrics clinical experience.
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