Health Clearance
Students accepted to Health Programs must be in compliance with the current immunization requirements specified by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for Health Care Personnel (HCP) and in accordance with state law, MGL, Chapter 76, Section 15C, and its regulations at 105 CMR 220.000 - 220.700 in order to participate in clinical. Students are also required to meet additional requirements of the particular health program and/or clinical agency as outlined below.
*BHCC will make reasonable efforts to place you at a clinical site; clinical placements cannot be guaranteed for those who have not received all required vaccinations.
All nursing students must submit proof of immunizations/vaccinations and maintain their currency through the program. All health clearance documents must be received no later than the add/drop date. Newly accepted students must reapply to the program if health clearance is not completed by the add/drop date. Failure to provide the required documentation will exclude students from all clinical experiences; returning students must withdraw failing. Students must upload their health clearance information using the website link provided to them once accepted into the program, which will be reviewed by the Health Services Office.
Students should NOT give any health-related information to either full-time or adjunct faculty.
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Immunization |
Requirement |
|
gTdap/Td (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) |
1 dose of Tdap, then Td boosters every 10 years. All HCP, regardless of age, should receive a single dose of Tdap as soon as feasible if they have not previously received Tdap, and regardless of the interval since last Td dose. |
|
MMR (Measles, mumps, rubella) |
OR
Presumptive evidence of immunity includes:
OR
|
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Hepatitis |
3 doses; laboratory evidence of immunity required; 2 doses of Heplisav-B given on or after 18 years of age are acceptable. |
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Varicella |
OR
|
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COVID-19 |
Initial COVID series plus one bivalent booster (or a more recent booster). |
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Influenza |
|
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Tuberculosis |
Tuberculosis Screening must be obtained between:
Student must receive either IGRA- serology (T-SPOT or Quantiferon GOLD) or Mantoux testing (PPD). If a student has a positive (PPD) please contact the health coordinator for further instructions |
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Meningitis |
Menveo or Menactra dose required after 16th birthday for all newly enrolled students between 16-21 years old (these vaccines are known as MenACWY, formerly listed as MCV4) |
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Physical Exam |
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Additional Requirements
Student Health Insurance
All students enrolled in Health Programs are required to carry health insurance because of the potential of exposure to a variety of communicable/infectious diseases as well as contractual requirements of our affiliating agencies. The period of coverage must be current throughout students’ enrollment in the program.
Malpractice Insurance
As part of your tuition, BHCC includes Malpractice/Liability Coverage of one million dollars per incident and three million dollars aggregate which is maintained for all students in the Nursing program.
CPR Certification
The Nurse Education Program only accepts American Heart Association BLS Provider certification. A copy of the CPR card must be submitted to the Microsoft Form link by the end of the first Thursday of the semester. Students may not attend clinical without proof of current CPR certification. The CPR card must demonstrate certification through the end of the semester.
CORI/SORI: As a prerequisite for a clinical placement in the nursing program, all students must undergo a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check and a Sex Offender Registry Information (SORI) check. Students in the Nurse Education program will be involved in the care of vulnerable populations, e.g., children, the disabled, the elderly, during their clinical rotations. To protect the patient populations, all students must undergo a CORI check annually. Any clinical agency has the right to choose to run CORI checks on students attending their facilities. Successful completion of the nursing program requires clinical hours each semester; any student prohibited from attending clinical due to a CORI finding will not pass the clinical component of the course and will not be successful in the program. Additionally, information regarding can be found at: https://www.bhcc.edu/internships/coriandsorichecks/
Respirator Fit Testing: BHCC’s clinical affiliates require N95 fit testing in order to attend clinical. BHCC students will undergo respirator fit testing annually and as needed by the clinical agency.
Drug Testing: If a student is assigned to a clinical agency that requires drug testing, they will be required to submit proof of a negative drug test prior to the first day of clinical. A 10-panel drug screening test includes the following: Marijuana (THC), Cocaine, Amphetamines (including methamphetamine), Opiates (such as heroin, morphine, and codeine), Phencyclidine (PCP), Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, Methadone, Propoxyphene, Quaaludes. A student who tests positive on the drug screen panel will have the results reviewed by the Health Service Office or designee. The final determination of a positive or negative drug screen will be determined by the Health Service Office or designee. Failure to follow up as directed with the Health Service Office or designee results in a POSITIVE drug screen panel for the student.