Professional Practice Policies
Graduate students of DCNHS must adhere to the following policies related to professional practice:
Health Insurance:
Students are required to have and to submit proof of current, personal health insurance coverage. If you submit your health insurance card (front and back) and your name is not imprinted, you must also submit supporting documentation for verification. Documentation of health insurance must be resubmitted annually. Student insurance is available here through Binghamton University. This documentation must be submitted prior to beginning any clinical experience. Failure to demonstrate evidence of health insurance will prevent the student from beginning clinical experiences in any semester.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification:
All students are required to submit evidence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification by the American Heart Association: Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers. The course must have a hands-on component; purely online courses will not be accepted. Students are required to resubmit proof of certification biennially.
Student Membership in APTA:
Students are strongly encouraged to maintain membership in the APTA.
Prior to enrollment in FTCEE courses, all students are required to submit:
- documented evidence of current immunization to tetanus-diphtheria;
- documented evidence of immunization or serologic evidence of immunity to MMR (measles, mumps and rubella);
- proof of varicella (chicken pox) immunity as documented by varicella immunizations, diagnosis of history of varicella diseases or a varicella titer report, prepared by a healthcare provider;
- documented evidence of immunization to Hepatitis B, prepared by a healthcare provider. Those electing not to receive the Hepatitis B series must sign a Statement of Declination;
- As of September 2021, all healthcare facilities regulated by New York State Department of Health require that all students completing clinical experiences must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19;
- Documented evidence of flu vaccine;
- Students are required to sign a waiver authorizing the release of this information by the DCNHS. Failure to sign a release may lead to a delay/denial of clinical placement.
Training in Infection Control and Bloodborne Pathogens and HIPAA:
Clinical agencies require that students have annual training in infection control, bloodborne pathogens and HIPAA. Graduate students who are employed in healthcare agencies and who have received the above training through their places of employment and can provide documentation of such, may satisfy this requirement. Some agencies have very specific training that they require the student to participate in prior to the beginning of a clinical experience and students are expected to comply with such requests. Students who are not currently employed may receive this training through the DCNHS. The Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences HIPAA policy may be reviewed online.
Professional Ethics and Academic Honesty:
In accordance with the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences mission to prepare future providers and managers of care, physical therapy students are required to adhere to the following rules and regulations while enrolled in the program:
Violation of Physical Therapy Standards (VPTS) Graduate Policy:
A Violation of Physical Therapist Standards (VPTS) report may be filed any time a student is not compliant with the bulleted items below. Records of violations are tracked and recorded internally. Immediately following a violation, the VPTS Incident Report will be completed and submitted by the issuer of the violation. Once a VPTS Report Form is submitted, the student will receive the following information to his/her official Binghamton University email:
1. Description of the violation
2. Consequences
3. Required remediation instructions, if necessary
4. Instructions for submitting comments (optional)
Course faculty or administration may request remediation to address the VPTS. A plan for remediation may be offered that could include counseling concerning specific professional behaviors.
Failure to complete the assigned remediation(s) will result in more severe consequences (and may include immediate dismissal). A student who successfully completes required remediation may be allowed to continue in the program. If a student accumulates three violations, despite successful remediation, the student will be subject to Academic Probation. If the student is currently on Academic Probation, the student will be subject to Suspension. Four cumulative violations may result in Academic Suspension. A single incident that is determined to have produced serious actual/potential harm may also result in dismissal. Dismissal from the physical therapy program as a result of a VPTS is final and may be recorded on the student’s official Binghamton University transcript.
Violations of federal, state and/or local laws will result in a report to law enforcement officers. Refer to Section 8.3 of the PT Student Handbook to initiate the Division of Physical Therapy’s Appeals Policy as a formal appeal process. Future readmission of students who have been dismissed due to a VPTS will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Questions about this policy should be directed to the Program Director.
Release of Personal Information:
Some agencies, in order to protect clients, require information related to students’ past employment and documentation as to whether or not they have ever been convicted of a criminal offense, including misdemeanors and felonies. Students may be asked to respond to such questions.
Criminal Background Checks:
Students who have a felony or child abuse conviction are advised that their prior criminal history may impede their ability to complete the requirements of the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, and/or to meet licensure requirements for physical therapy. Students who have concerns about this are advised to contact the director of clinical education, the program director or the dean’s office. Students are required to report felony convictions while enrolled in the Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences as it may change their progression and ability to be placed in a clinical agency. To learn if felony/child abuse convictions will negatively impact their ability for licensure, students should check with the State Board of Physical Therapy in the state in which they plan to practice.
Students may be required to complete criminal background checks to fulfill mandates from Clinical Sites. The extent of the investigation varies by facility, with some requiring more extensive federal clearances and fingerprints. Students should work with the clinical education team to ensure they are meeting the requirements.
Drug/Alcohol Screening:
Students may be required to be screened for use of drugs to fulfill mandates from Clinical Sites or to participate in Clinical Affiliations. If a drug screen is required, it will be in the list of health requirements in Exxat for the site.
If a drug screen is required at the clinical site, the student may be provided with the following option(s):
- The clinical facility will perform an on-site drug screen
- The clinical facility will recommend off-site facility to perform the drug screen
- The academic program will recommend an off-site facility to perform the drug screen
The student will be responsible for costs associated with the drug screen.
Results of the drug screen will be sent to the SCCE of the clinical site. If the student’s drug screen is positive, the SCCE will notify the DCE immediately. The findings will be forwarded to the Program Director. Students will be required to meet with the Program Director. After further review, the Program Director in conjunction with upper administration may decide:
- If additional drug screen(s) is necessary
- To refer the student to the Binghamton University Campus Support Services
The student will be removed from the clinical affiliation and required to meet with the DCE and may be subject to changes in academic standing.
Fingerprinting:
Students who are required to obtain fingerprinting prior to a clinical education experience can reference this website to identify a location that meets their needs.
Medical Document Manager:
All DCNHS physical therapy clinical education health requirements are housed on EXXAT. Instructions for this process will be provided to students during their onboarding to clinical education.
The DCNHS will not provide opportunities for clinical experiences to students who fail to meet the requirements/responsibilities.