Health Services
The school does not provide health services on campus.
- Immunizations: Vocational Nursing requires various vaccinations before attending externships or clinical. The immunization requirements are based on the clinical facility requirements and may change without notice.
- Health Insurance Coverage: The clinical sites do not provide health insurance coverage for students. All students are covered by accident and liability insurance policies while in school or on clinical rotation. This policy does not automatically pay for all medical expenses due to school-related accidents. It is designed to work together with any insurance the student may already have. A student is required to meet with the Program Director regarding the processing of a claim. None of the programs provide health insurance as part of the tuition fee. Health insurance is the sole responsibility of the student.
- Health Conditions: It is the responsibility of the student to inform the appropriate instructor(s) of any physical or mental condition that could interfere with the safety of the student and/or patient while at the externship/clinical site. While ill, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the Program Director and the clinical site. Students are not permitted to attend class or clinical with a communicable disease.
BLOOD OR BODY FLUID EXPOSURE
In addition to the steps outlined above for Accidents/Incident, these additional precautions must be followed if a student has been exposed to blood or body fluids. The CDC defines exposure as:
- A needle stick or cut caused by a needle or any sharp object that was actually or potentially contaminated with blood or body fluids (urine, saliva, sputum, vomit, feces).
- A contaminant splash to mucous membranes (e.g. eyes, nose, mouth) with blood or body fluids.
- Prolonged skin contact or exposure to blood or body fluids – especially when the skin is chapped, abraded, or afflicted with dermatitis or somehow otherwise not intact.
NOTE: If the exposure takes place at a clinical site, the site’s policy for exposure incidents supersedes this action plan. It is the responsibility of the students to learn the clinical site’s policy and emergency plan as part of their clinical orientation.
Should an adverse event involving blood or body fluids occur, the student must adhere to the following steps:
- Immediately notify the faculty of the incident. Prompt reporting of exposures is crucial to ensure proper medical evaluation and treatment, if necessary.
- Unless extraordinary circumstances are present, the faculty will assist the student in removing contaminated clothing, wiping/washing off visible blood and/or body fluids, and disinfecting the area exposed using warm water and a skin-approved bactericidal. Care should be taken not to use abrasive cleaners that will damage the skin. If blood or fluids get into the eye or come in contact with the mucous membranes, flush the area vigorously with running water.
- Faculty will inform the Program Chair within 60 minutes of the exposure.
- Lead and clinical faculty will assist student in making arrangements for evaluation, testing and prophylactic treatment at the clinical site. If the site is unable or unwilling to assist, the student will be treated and tested at a designated healthcare facility or the nearest emergency medical facility.
- Lead and clinical faculty also will work with the clinical site to provide information that facilitates the obtaining of consent and make arrangements to test the source individual for HIV, HBV, and HCV infectivity.
- If warranted after initial prophylactic treatment, the student will be provided information regarding arrangements for continued prophylactic treatment, follow-up testing and counseling.