Health Screening and Immunizations

Health Screening and Immunizations

The following health requirements are mandatory prior to any experiential education course at offsite facilities. The immunization requirements must be fully complied with in the first 30 days post matriculation, or the student will be withdrawn from classes without credit.

  1. Tuberculosis: One of the following completed within the past 12 months is required:
    • step TB skin test (administered 1-3 weeks apart)
    • QuantiFERON Gold blood test (lab report required)
    • If positive results, submit a clear chest x-ray (lab report required)
  2. Immunizations: Students must be current on all required immunizations. Either record of immunization or serologic proof of immunity must be provided for all listed conditions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for health care personnel, to include, but may not be limited to:
  • Hepatitis B: BOTH of the following are required:
    • 3 vaccinations AND
    • A positive antibody titer (lab report required)
    • If your titer was negative or equivocal, you must repeat the series and provide a 2nd titer.
  • Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR): One of the following is required:
    • 2 vaccinations: The first vaccination MUST be administered AFTER the age of 1 regardless of vaccination type. Vaccinations can be a combined MMR vaccination, however if individualized vaccinations are submitted you MUST submit 2 vaccinations for Mumps and Measles and 1 vaccination for Rubella OR
    • Positive antibody titer (lab report required) for all 3 components. If your titer was negative or equivocal, you must receive 1 booster vaccine (administered after your titer) and provide a 2nd titer.
  • Varicella: One of the following is required:
    • 2 vaccinations OR
    • Positive antibody titer (lab report required) If your titer was negative or equivocal, you must repeat the series.
  • Tdap (Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis: One of the following is required:
    • Documentation of a Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis) vaccination administered within the past 10 years OR
    • Documentation of a Tdap vaccination administered from any time AND a Td (Tetanus & Diphtheria) booster administered within the past 10 years. Renewal will be set for 10 years from the most recent vaccination. Upon renewal, a Td booster is required.
  • Influenza: Students will be required to obtain influenza immunization annually while enrolled in the program.
  1. Other Immunizations: Maybe needed on a case-by-case basis. It is the responsibility of the student to consult with the Program Director, Clinical Education Director, or Clinical Coordinator to determine if any additional precautions are necessary.

Background Checks and Drug Screen

To foster a safe learning environment and comply with affiliates for off-campus learning experiences, the UMES PA Program requires all students have a Criminal Background Check, Maryland Child Abuse Clearance Check, and a Urine Drug Screen (UDS) that will be placed on file with the UMES Physician Assistant Program.

Criminal Background Check:  A National Records Indicator with SOI will be issued.  Criminal records are not indexed by social security number but are typically indexed by name and date of birth.  Should you have a criminal record dispute, per the FCRA, students have the right to dispute the results of their background check. All disputes are conducted by CastleBranch at no additional charge. Result disputes are reviewed within 5 days of submission and are resolved within thirty days. Refer to Background Check Policy for the detailed policies.

Maryland Child Abuse Clearance Check:  A review of the state database will be issued. The State maintains a Centralized Confidential Database that contains information about child abuse and neglect investigations conducted by Maryland State Departments of social services. Refer to Background Check Policy for the detailed policies.

Urine Drug Screen:  A 12-Panel Drug screen analysis will be issued.  The screening site and instructions will be provided through CastleBranch.

All students are required to have a criminal background check (CBC), Maryland child abuse clearance check, and urine drug screen (UDS), which is performed by CastleBranch at the expense of the student. Information on obtaining the initial CBC is sent to each student who has accepted an offer of admission with the UMES Physician Assistant Program for the incoming class. Please note the following: 

  • The Criminal Background Check, Maryland Child Abuse Clearance Check, and Urine Drug Screen is MANDATORY.
  • Information from the CBC check, MD Child Abuse Clearance Check, and UDS must be on file with the UMES PA Program before the student secures a seat in the class.
  • Additional CBCs, MD Child Abuse Clearance Checks, and UDSs may be required of external institutional partnerships prior to participation in experiential activities. Financial and other responsibilities for these tests are the sole responsibility of the student.
  • Additionally, each student is subject to mandatory random urine drug screening during the PA program as requested by the UMES Department of Physician Assistant and/or the clinical site. Failure to successfully pass a UDS, refusal to submit to a test, or any other violation of the UMES substance abuse policy, will have consequences that may result in dismissal from the program, legal issues and/or financial complications for the student.
  • Refer to Student Urine Drug Screen Policy for the detailed policy.
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