The University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus College of Nursing Policy and Procedure: Immunization and Certification Requirements for Clinical Placement Policy Statement: The University of Colorado College of Nursing will require, as a matter of routine, all matriculating students, participating in a clinical program of study, to comply with the basic clinical requirements of immunization status, CPR (American Health Association BLS for Healthcare Providers), HIPAA and OSHA education/training, drug screening and background disclosure and authorization. Applicability: This policy applies to all accepted applicants and currently enrolled nursing students in an educational program at the University of Colorado College of Nursing. Exemption: Students who are not involved in clinical or research experiences in healthcare organizations are exempt from immunization, CPR and OSHA requirements. Students may petition for exemption to their option coordinator or program director and the Office of Clinical Affairs. Approval of exemption will be note in the student’s record. Supporting Background Information for Clinical Requirements: The Joint Commission mandates that all students in health care professionals whose training includes clinical setting and patient contact present evidence of immunization, and HIPAA, OSHA and CPR education and/or certification. Associated Procedures and Documents: Date Deadlines for Immunizations, Drug Screen, Background Disclosure, Annual Certification Requirements, Clinical Agency Requirements and Medical Clearance (known as: Deadlines). Drug Screen Policy/Procedure. Background Disclosure and Authorization Process. Supporting documents: A. Clinical Requirements Checklist and FAQ for Incoming Students. B. Yearly Clinical Requirements for Returning Students
Procedure: Upon admission to the College of Nursing and at established periods, the student is required to submit the following: immunization data, drug screen, criminal background authorization to the Office of Clinical Affairs by • December 1st for Spring incoming students • May 1st for Summer incoming students • August 1st for Fall incoming Graduate students. Additionally, students must complete CPR, OSHA and HIPAA training by • January 15th for Spring incoming students, • June 15th for Summer incoming students • September 10th for Fall incoming Graduate students. Note: Graduate students may be required to submit additional documentation. Refer to The Clinical Requirements Checklist and FAQ, OSHA and HIPAA Instructions, and the Drug Screen Policy/Procedure for specific processes. The University of Colorado Student Immunization Certification Form must be completed and signed by a physician, nurse, or school health authority. Forms lacking a signature from a healthcare provider will not be accepted. If the healthcare provider’s signature is unobtainable, the student must submit copies of actual immunization/medical records which document the type of vaccine, titer or disease for each requirement. The student must ensure that his/her name, the dates, and the clinic/agency where the immunization data is recorded are clearly listed in the record. 1) Immunization Requirements: a) MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella); one of the below: i) Documentation of the two vaccination series. There must be at least 28 days between the first and second vaccine. Two separate dates must be recorded. ii) Documentation of a positive titer. b) Hepatitis B; one of the below: i) Documentation of the three vaccine series. There must be at least 1 month between the first and second vaccine and 4‐5 months between the second and third vaccine. Three separate dates must be recorded. ii) Documentation of a positive titer (HBSAB).
iii) Documentation that negative titer may be present after three vaccine series. c) Tuberculin Skin Test (Mantoux Purified Protein Derivative ‐ PPD); one of the below: i) For someone who has never been tested, or if it has been over a year since their last test, the two step testing method is required. Placement of 2 separate PPD skin tests 7 to 14 days apart. Two separate dates and results of skin test required for reporting. ii) For someone who has had a PPD done within the last year, 1 PPD skin test results are required. iii) Positive PPD test: Physician documentation of a negative chest x‐ray then annual symptom questionnaire to be completed by student in lieu of further testing. iv) International students who have received the Bacille Calmette‐Guerin Vaccine (BCG), submit a physician’s report of a negative chest x‐ray. PPD will appear as a false positive. d) Varicella, one of the below: i) Documentation of a positive titer. ii) Documentation of a two vaccine series. Two separate dates must be recorded. iii) Documentation of childhood disease. e) Tetanus i) Documentation of vaccine; date must be recorded (required within last 10 years). Renewal every 10 years. List most recent date of vaccination or booster received. f) Polio for international students; for domestic students it is not required but strongly encouraged. One of the below: i) Documentation of the 4 vaccine childhood series (can be oral). Four separate dates required. ii) Documentation of a 3 vaccine adult catch‐up IPV series. Three separate dates required. g) Seasonal Influenza, annual requirement i) Vaccination date required. Due to seasonal availability this must be completed annually by December 1st. Trivalent (Inactiviated) Influenza Vaccine (TIV) or Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV) is accepted. ii) H1N1 Influenza vaccine is currently not required, but highly encouraged. h) Exemptions:
i) Medical Exemption. The physical condition of the student is such that immunization would endanger life or health or is medically contraindicated due to medical condition. ii) Personal Exemption. The student (person) himself/herself (or parent/legal guardian) is an adherent to a personal or religious belief opposed to immunizations. iii) Note: Exemptions by signed waiver may subject the student to academic restrictions regarding lab, clinical placement and the student may be unable to complete the program/degree requirements. 2) Certification Requirements. a) Pre‐licensure: Undergraduate Students i) HIPAA training (complete training once upon admission and as assigned, at discretion, by the College of Nursing) ii) OSHA training (annual requirement due to clinical courses) iii) CPR training; American Heart Association BLS for the Healthcare Provider (annual requirement) b) RN to BS Students: i) Current Registered Nurse licensure in the state where practicing ii) HIPAA training (complete training one upon admission and as assigned, at discretion, by the College of Nursing) iii) OSHA training (annual requirement for clinical courses) iv) CPR training; American Heart Association BLS for the Healthcare Provider (bi‐annual requirement) c) Graduate Students participating in clinicals (MS, Post‐MS Certification, MS‐DNP, BS‐PhD, PhD) i) Current Registered Nurse licensure in the state where practicing ii) HIPAA training (complete training one upon admission and as assigned, at discretion, by the College of Nursing) iii) OSHA training (annual requirement for clinical courses) iv) CPR training; American Heart Association BLS for the Healthcare Provider (bi‐annual requirement)
d) Nurse Midwifery Students current certifications: i) ALSO (Advanced Life Support in Obstetrics Certification) ii) NRP (Neonatal Resuscitation Certification) iii) EFMC (Electronic Fetal Monitoring Certification Immunization data, certification requirements, drug screen, background disclosure and licensure verification records are maintained by the Office of Clinical Affairs in confidential and limited access files and computer databases. Developed: 5.12.2010; Updated 7.16.10
