Professionalism
All students are expected to demonstrate behavior that is generally accepted as professional. In order to participate in the clinical portion of the upper-division curriculum, all School of Health and Environment students are required to be aware of their rights and responsibilities under the Massachusetts Right to Know Law regarding chemical hazards in the workplace. Each department has developed a list of technical standards that must be demonstrated prior to program completion. Departmental technical standards can be found under each department on this website.
Liability Insurance
The University maintains a Comprehensive General Liability Policy that provides coverage for professional liability of non-licensed students, while they are serving in a supervised internship program in satisfaction of course requirements, or while acting at the direction of, or performing services for, or ,on behalf of the University. Nursing, Exercise Physiology, Physical Therapy, Nutrition, Clinical Laboratory Science and Community Health Education non-licensed students who perform services as part of their education program are covered under this policy. Registered Nurse students must provide their own professional liability insurance.
Health and CPR
“Health Certification Requirements” mandated by the University for all students are listed in the Undergraduate Admissions section of this catalog. The following requirements apply to students enrolled in the School of Health and Environment:
Prior to clinical or practicum experience as required by the curriculum, each student must submit to their respective department:
1. Documentation that they have completed a basic CPR course prior to entering their first clinical course. Thereafter, current CPR documentation must be presented annually for departmental approval. For nursing students, the current CPR certification must be Level C or Professional Rescuer. In addition nursing students must provide evidence of current First Aid course completion (RNs are exempt).
2. Evidence of chickenpox childhood history or a positive serologic titer indicating immunity as required by clinical facilities.
3. Medical Technology and Exercise Physiology students are required to provide documentation of an exam for colorblindness. This is to be certain that students are aware if they are colorblind.
Other health requirements may be mandated for specific affiliations. Students are advised to consult department chairpersons for additional details.
Uniforms/Attire
Medical technology and nursing students are required to wear an approved school uniform when in the clinical setting. Details concerning specific uniform requirements may be secured from the appropriate department clinical coordinators.
Clinical Placements and Transportation
Final decisions regarding clinical placements are the responsibility of the faculty of each respective department. All students must provide their own transportation to clinical placements. Car pools are often arranged among students.
School of Health and Environment Criminal Background Check
By law, certain agencies have the right to require a criminal record check on any student affiliating at their institutions. SHE students are advised that any student whose course-work, placement, community service, voluntary activity or service learning related to the University that requires direct and unmonitored access to children, elderly, patients, disabled people or other at risk populations may be required to undergo a national CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) and/or SORI (Sex Offender Record Information). Depending on the individual agency’s policy, students may be expected to pay for the cost of the CORI or SORI check. Students who refuse to consent to a CORI and/or SORI will be deemed ineligible for placement and continued matriculation in their program may be jeopardized. Personnel who are authorized to request, access and review CORI and/or SORI reports are identified in the UMass. Lowell CORI Policy for Students available on the UML Human Resource web site. Failure to pass a CORI and/or SORI check may also jeopardize a student’s continued matriculation, clinical placements, and state licensure. The process and standard of review for determining a student’s eligibility for engagement in covered activity based on the CORI and/or SORI report, including whether any criminal offenses may disqualify an individual, is also available on the UML Human Resource web site.
Clinical Affiliate Random Drug Screening
Students enrolled in SHE programs may also be required to undergo and pass a drug screening analysis in order to be eligible for placement in an off campus learning experience. Per the University’s contractual obligations with certain external agencies, students assigned to clinical educational experiences at some facilities may be required to undergo and pass random drug screening analysis in order to remain at that clinical facility. Test results obtained during testing will be held in confidence and treated as medical information. If a student tests positive and further action is required, only those personnel with a need to know will be provided access to test results. Depending on the individual agency’s policy, students may be expected to pay for the cost of drug screening. Students who do not have a negative drug screen or refuse to consent to a drug screen analysis will be deemed ineligible for clinical placement which may affect their ability to progress in the program.
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