Health and Safety Requirements
Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification
Students must maintain basic life support (BLS) certification to participate in experiential coursework.
Concealed Handguns on Campus
Please see the Concealed Handguns on Campus Policy in the Undergraduate Policies Section of this catalog.
Health and Safety Requirements
Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Control Plan: The FCOP follows the UT Tyler Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) Exposure Control Plan. Students who are not employees are not covered by the exposure control plan but receive training on BBP prevention and control methods annually. In the event of a BBP exposure, students should notify their preceptor or faculty member immediately. Post-exposure follow up will normally be provided by the University Health Clinic. Costs for post-exposure follow up is ultimately the responsibility of the student and should usually be covered under their health insurance. The FCOP offers coverage for the cost associated with testing the source individual.
Health Insurance Requirement
As a condition of enrollment, all Pharm.D. students must maintain and submit proof of personal health insurance coverage that includes effective date and renewal date. Personal health insurance covers illness and injury in classroom, laboratory situations, and experiential learning courses as well as any illness or injury that occurs while not on the UT Tyler campus or affiliated with a FCOP activity.
This requirement can be met by enrolling in the UT Tyler student health insurance plan or by presenting proof of insurance coverage through an alternative health insurance plan. The FCOP Office of Student Affairs tracks this information at the beginning of each academic year. Students who do not meet the deadline to submit proof of health insurance may have delays in starting their semester coursework and/or experiential activities. This may affect the student’s ability to successfully complete the curriculum and delay on-time graduation.
Immunization and Health Screening Requirements
Students are required to present evidence of tuberculosis screening and proof of immunizations by week 6 of their first semester enrollment in the FCOP. For those vaccines that involve more than one injection, the series must be started by week 6 in their first semester at the FCOP. In accordance with state law (e.g. Meningitis Policy SB 1107) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov), the following immunizations/health screening are required for all students enrolled in health-related courses that will involve direct patient contact in medical facilities:
- Influenza: proof of influenza vaccination required every fall semester; any type of influenza vaccine.
- Tetanus/diphtheria: proof of one Tdap "booster" with a Td following at least every 10 years.
- Varicella: proof of completing the 2-dose immunization series, serological immunity (blood test), or documentation of disease or diagnosis of either varicella or herpes zoster by a healthcare provider.
- Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR): proof of completing the 2-dose MMR series or serological immunity (blood test).
- Hepatitis B: proof of completing the 3-dose immunization series or serologic immunity (blood test).
- Tuberculin (TB) Screening: The frequency and type of tuberculin screening depends upon if this is initial testing and the duration of time between tests:
- students receiving their first tuberculin screening or having their last tuberculin skin test (TST) more than 2 years ago, proof of a 2-step TST or a single blood assay (BAMT) test followed by an annual TST is required;
- students with a TST within the previous 12 months, a single TST is required followed by an annual TST; and
- for students with a positive TST, BAMT, or prior treatment for TB, proof of a negative chest x-ray is required (repeat x-rays are not required unless recommended by a healthcare provider).
- Meningitis Vaccine: Students younger than 22 years are required to present documentation of meningitis vaccination prior to being enrolled in Pharm.D. courses.
- Additional screenings may be required by experiential sites.
Vaccinations and screenings are obtained at the student’s expense. A student’s health insurance may cover these services. Students who fail to submit documentation will not be permitted to participate in the direct patient care components of the Pharm.D. program.
Exclusions may be allowable on an individual basis for medical contraindications and pregnancy.
- Students with medical contraindications must submit written verification from a primary care provider that the immunization required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student or any member of the student’s family or household. Unless a lifelong condition is specified, the verification is valid for only one year from the date signed by the healthcare professional.
- Pregnant females may be exempt from select immunizations. Students must present written documentation of a positive pregnancy test and written verification of immunizations that the student is exempt due to pregnancy.
Experiential sites retain the right to deny placement of students at their site based on immunization and health screening status.
Mandatory Reporting: Students are required to report the following to the Office of Experiential Education within 48 hours:
- TB test conversion (test results changed from a negative TB test to either a borderline or a positive TB test) and/or
- Diagnosis of a personal infection with Pertussis, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Varicella, Tuberculosis, or Meningitis.
The Office of Experiential Education may add additional mandatory reporting requirements based on recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recommendations from Public Health Officials, and/or from our partnering healthcare institutions.