Title
Adams School of Dentistry: Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification Policy
Introduction
Purpose
UNC Adams School of Dentistry (ASOD) personnel that are involved in professional contact with patients, clients, families, and/or human subjects are required to present prior to their start date and bi-annually thereafter, documentation of completion of an approved Basic Life Support (BLS) certification.
Scope of Applicability
This policy applies to all ASOD faculty, adjuncts, staff, residents, Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) students, Dental Hygiene (DH) students, and clinical affiliates (i.e., visiting scholars, interns, and/or volunteers) that provide direct patient care. Additional application includes any ASOD personnel that provides administrative support to patient care providers and ASOD executive administrators (i.e., Deans and Associate/Assistant Deans).
Definitions
- AED: Automatic External Defibrillator
- ARS: Accessibility Resources & Service
- ASOD: Adams School of Dentistry
- BLS: Basic Life Support
- CPR: Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (component of BLS training)
- DDS: Doctor of Dental Surgery
- DH: Dental Hygiene
- EOC: Equal Opportunity and Compliance Office
- Personnel: Any individual that works for or within a ASOD Unit, Division, or Program
Standards
Per 21 NCAC 16A .0101 (5), minimum standard for approved BLS (CPR) certifications may be obtained from a course that meets the American Red Cross or American Heart Association standards for certification, with an in-person skills assessment on a manikin and automatic external defibrillator (AED) use, with a minimum of a 2-year certification term. An acceptable alternative to the BLS certification is the BLS-Instructor certification. While other certifications such as ACLS, ACLS-Instructor, PALS, and PALS-Instructor may be acquired concurrently, they do not replace the BLS certification requirement. Individual ASOD programs and divisions may have additional or more stringent requirements than currently listed.
ASOD Provided BLS Training
ASOD offers, on a limited basis, BLS courses that requires each ASOD personnel to register online. Students within the DDS or DH programs may register via the ASOD CPR course calendar for students, with all other ASOD personnel register via the ASOD CPR course calendar for employees. Training location notifications and reminders are automated, no training material is required pre-course, and an "eCard Code" will be provided post-course to the registered email.
If no ASOD provided course is available within the required time frame, the ASOD personnel must complete a course that meets the minimum standard (21 NCAC 16A .0101 (5). Participation in an approved course outside of ASOD is at the expense of the individual ASOD personnel member. After completion of the course, the certification must be uploaded through the appropriate portal (eMedley for Student DDS/DH or Personnel Compliance) or via ASOD_ClinicalCompliance@unc.edu.
Absences or cancellations within 48 hours of a scheduled course for reasons other than illness or emergency may require that a BLS certification is obtained through an external agency, which meets the minimum standard (21 NCAC 16A .0101 (5), and at the expense of the individual ASOD personnel. Notification of absence from a scheduled course will be communicated to the Director of Clinical Compliance by the individual ASOD personnel member or their supervisor/instructor. All other cancellations may be completed via the confirmation email, which is sent after course registration.
Responsibilities
| Role |
Responsibility |
| Personnel |
Must achieve, maintain, and/or redeem a BLS (or approved alternative) certification within the appropriate time frame of renewal. Most commonly, this is ever two-years, with the exception of those providing or participating in sedation dentistry. |
| Department Chairs |
Ensure that ASOD personnel maintain the appropriate certification and assist with facilitating compliance. |
| Program Directors |
Ensure that ASOD personnel maintain the appropriate certification and assist with facilitating compliance. |
| Supervisors |
Ensure that ASOD personnel maintain the appropriate certification and assist with facilitating compliance. |
| Director of Clinical Compliance |
Coordinate the certification process for ASOD, maintains certification records, schedules in-house courses, notifies personnel of upcoming certification expirations, and review cases of privilege suspension. |
Compliance
Failure to maintain BLS certification will result in suspension of the individual's clinical / clinical research privileges. For faculty and staff, failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. For DDS and DH students, failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the program of study.
Exemptions
Any ASOD personnel member with a disability may qualify for an exemption from the physical requirements of a BLS course. If an exemption is approved, the approved individual must be accompanied by a BLS-certified ASOD personnel member, whenever entering or participating in clinical activities. DDS and DH students, review the Student and Applicant Accommodations Policy and visit the UNC Accessibility Resources & Service (ARS) website, to begin the exemption process. For all other ASOD personnel, review the Procedure for ADA Reasonable Accommodations for Employees, Applicants and Visitors and secure the appropriate form, from UNC Office of Human Resources, Equal Opportunity, and Compliance.
Related Requirements
External Regulations and Consequences
Unit Policies, Standards, and Procedures
Contact Information