All health science program students must comply with program Health and Safety Requirements prior to and continuously while enrolled. Complete documentation of requirements must be filed with the Health Sciences and University Programs division office during enrollment.
Health Requirements
In the interest of your own personal safety, the safety of your patients, and other healthcare providers, there are specific health and physical requirements that must be met before your admission to the program is finalized. These include:
- Assessment of Current Health Status with a physical examination - to be documented on Health Data Form/Physical Exam
- Tuberculosis Screening
- Validated by documentation of two negative PPDs within a 12 month period of time to establish a baseline (presented for review on the Tuberculosis Screening & Questionaire form). The 2nd PPD must be within 6 months of enrollment. Any student who has not had a TB screening within the previous 12 months will need to complete the 2-Step Process. This process requires an initial Tb screening test and if negative, followed by another Tb screening 1 - 3 weeks later.
- All students with a past positive PPD must complete the TB Screening Clearance Questionaire upon entry into a Health Science program and annually thereafter while enrolled.
- Proof of current Immunizations for:
- Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis
- Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
- Hepatitis B.
- Varicella Influenza
Immunizations will be documented for the Health Sciences Programs on the Immunizations, TB Screening & CPR Documentation form. Official records of immunizations will need to be presented for verification by department staff.
If you need immunizations, please contact the Shasta County or Tehama County Public Health Department clinics or your personal medical provider.
- Technical Standards
Attendance requirements and stamina demands require the student to be in good physical and mental health. Please read the Dental Hygiene Technical Standards or Nursing Program Technical Standards carefully and discuss with your health care provider if necessary. If a student requires an accommodation or cannot comply with the standard, they are advised to request to meet with the Dean of the Health Sciences & University Programs.
Safety Requirements
Because healthcare providers care for persons who are dependent in various degrees, national guidelines have been developed to insure the safety of the consumer. For the health sciences student this includes an initial drug screening and a criminal background check prior to entry into the programs. The procedure for those students entering the NA/Home Health Aide are different based on Department of Health Services regulations.
In addition, every health sciences student is required to have a current CPR certification.
- Criminal Background Checks
National guidelines from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), State regulations (SB139) and the Department of Health Services (DHS) are the basis upon which Shasta College and the clinical facilities with which we have agreements, require health science students to have clear criminal background checks.
Specific procedures and instructions will be shared with the student upon selection for enrollment. If the background check does not clear, the student will be unable to meet clinical requirements and the offer of enrollment will be withdrawn. Students are responsible for cost of criminal background screening unless exempt by statute.
If there are concerns regarding criminal histories or background screening, the individual student should contact the appropriate licensing/certifcation board for clarification regarding eligibility for licensure:
ADN students contact Board of Registered Nursing
LVN students contact the Board of Vocational Nursing & Psychiatric Technicians
For questions concerning eligibility to participate in clinical experiences at the local health facilities, the applicant may contact Health Sciences offices to schedule a meeting with the Dean of Health Sciences & University Programs. (530-339-3600).
- Drug Screening
All enrolled Health Science students are subject to drug screening through a school-designated vendor prior to enrollment. Shasta College and Health Sciences programs maintain a no tolerance policy regarding substance abuse when participating in Health Science programs.
A student with a positive drug screen will be denied participation and placement at a clinical agency and will be required to withdraw from the program. Additionally, students must agree at time of admission into the program to be drug tested at any time while in the program. Any evidence of substance abuse will result in immediate administrative dismissal from the program. Students are responsible for the cost of all screenings.
- Current CPR Certification
All students applying for health sciences programs must have a current CPR certification for healthcare providers. The selected course must be equivalent to the American Heart Association's Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care at the Healthcare Provider level. The course will include Basic Life Support (BLS) for adult, child and infant CPR and 2-rescuer resuscitation with a hands-on practicum and testing. Certification by the American Heart Association is available, but other local vendors are available including through Shasta College - First Aid - Certification (FAID 133) & Recertification (FAID 134) for Professional Rescuer.
Immunizations
CPR Certification Resources
ADN Clinical Requirements Packet
CNA Clinical Requirements Packet
Technical Standards (Nursing)
Technical Standards (Dental Hygiene)
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