Department of Health Sciences, Physician Assistant Program: Policy on Health Clearance and Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure

Unit Policy

Title

Department of Health Sciences, Physician Assistant Program: Policy on Health Clearance and Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure

Introduction

Purpose

This Policy outlines the Health Clearance and Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure protocols and requirements for students (Students) enrolled in the Physician Assistant (PA) Program (Program). It ensures compliance with public health standards, promotes a culture of safety, and provides clear procedures for managing illness and occupational exposures.

Scope

This Policy applies to all Students who matriculate into the Program and Program faculty.

Policy

Policy Statement

Students must uphold the highest standards of professional conduct and personal accountability in relation to Health Clearance and Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure protocols and requirements. Students’ responsibilities include:

  1. Compliance with the Program’s Health Clearance Protocol (see Appendix A below)
  2. Compliance with the Program’s Health Clearance Requirements. Students must:
    1. Submit all required Program-provided immunization and health screening documentation by designated deadlines; and
    2. Maintain up-to-date vaccination records in the Program’s compliance systems (e.g., Exxat) as directed by the Program.
  3. Self-Monitoring and Reporting Illness. Students must:
    1. Monitor personal health and refrain from attending class or clinical activities when symptomatic;
    2. Seek medical evaluation when symptoms may pose a risk to others; and
    3. Follow return-to-activity guidelines, including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations for post-illness precautions.
  4. Adherence to Clinical Site Policies. Students must:
    1. Comply with all health and safety protocols of assigned Clinical Site when participating in Rotations, including masking, isolation, and testing requirements; and
    2. Communicate proactively with clinical coordinators and preceptors regarding health status and clearance to return.
  5. Compliance with the Program’s Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Protocol (see Appendix B below)
  6. Communication with the Program. Students must:
    1. Notify the Program’s Director of Clinical Education (DCE) of any medical advice received that affects participation in Program activities; and
    2. Ensure timely and accurate communication regarding health status, clearance, and Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure incidents.
  7. Costs of Care and Treatment.
    1. Students are responsible for the costs of any needed treatment they receive related to an illness or Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure that is not covered by their health insurance.

Faculty as Healthcare Providers 

Program faculty may not serve as healthcare providers for Students except for under emergent circumstances.

Violations

Students who violate this Policy will be referred to the Student Progress Committee for professionalism concerns (see Policy on Student Progress Committee).

Definitions

Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure: Contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result in transmission of bloodborne pathogens.

Health Clearance: Documentation of immunization and health screening required for participation in clinical activities.

Campus Health: The University’s student health service.

Clinical Site: An Active Clinical Site (as defined in the Policy on Preceptor and Clinical Site Recruitment and Monitoring)

Follow-Up Care: Medical care that occurs after an initial assessment for an illness or Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure.

Occupational Health Service: A clinical service that provides evaluation, testing, and treatment for individuals who experience a work-related exposure, including Blood Borne Pathogen Exposure.

Post-exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): Prophylactic medications provided following potential Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure.

Rotation: A Supervised Clinical Practice Experience for which there are published expected learning outcomes and Student evaluation mechanisms.

UEOHC: University Employee Occupational Health Clinic.

Related Requirements

External Regulations

  • Section A3.01 of the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) Accreditation Standards for PA Education
  • Section A3.05 of the ARC-PA Accreditation Standards for PA Education
  • Section A3.09 of the ARC-PA Accreditation Standards for PA Education

Unit Policies, Standards, and Procedures

Contact Information

Primary Contact

Name: Administrative Support Specialist

Telephone: 919-962-8008

Email: paprogram@unc.edu

APPENDIX A: Health Clearance Protocol

Students are required to adhere to the following guidelines:

  1. Symptom-Based Guidance. Students must:
    1. Stay home if experiencing symptoms such as fever (>100.0°F), cough, sore throat, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle aches, shortness of breath, or recent loss of taste/smell;
    2. Seek medical evaluation if symptoms are unclear; and
    3. Return to activities only after:
      1. Being fever-free for 24 hours without medication;
      2. Not experiencing vomiting/diarrhea for 48 hours; and/or
      3. Their symptoms are improving.
  2. Post-Illness Precautions. Students must:
    1. Follow (CDC) guidance for five (5) days after returning to normal activities, including guidance regarding masking, distancing, and hygiene practices.
  3. Clinical Placement Requirements. Students must:
    1. Follow the health and safety protocols of their assigned Clinical Site, which may include:
      1. Extended isolation;
      2. Mandatory testing; and/or
      3. Masking or other precautions.
  4. Communication Responsibilities. Students must:
    1. Communicate directly with the DCE regarding any absences (see Policy on Clinical Phase Attendance).

APPENDIX B: Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure Protocol

  1. Scenario One: A Student experiences Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure at a Clinical Site that has Occupational Health Services available for the Student. Following a Scenario One:
    1. The Student will be treated as an employee of the Clinical Site.
    2. The Clinical Site’s Occupational Health Service will:
      1. Coordinate source patient testing;
      2. Advise Student of results;
      3. Order baseline labs and post-exposure prophylaxis, if indicated; and
      4. Coordinate follow-up while Student remains at site.
    3. If the Student leaves the site and returns to Chapel Hill, Student may follow up with Campus Health or their primary care provider.
    4. The costs of a Student’s treatment will be billed to the Student’s health insurance. The Student will be responsible for any such costs not covered by their health insurance.
  2. Scenario Two: A Student experiences Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure during on-campus clinical training or at a Clinical Site that does not have Occupational Health Services available for the Student. Following a Scenario Two:
    1. The Student will be treated as a University employee at the University Occupational Health Clinic (UEOHC).
    2. The UEOHC will:
      1. Coordinate source patient testing (via McLendon Labs or local health departments);
      2. Advise the Student of the results of the source patient testing;
      3. Order labs and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, if indicated;
      4. Assist with the Student’s follow-up care;
    3. The costs of a Student’s treatment will be billed to the Student’s health insurance. The Student will be responsible for any such costs not covered by their health insurance.
  3. Incident Reporting (applicable to Scenario One & Two). Following a Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure incident, Students must:
    1. Immediately report the exposure to the Director for Clinical Education and follow designated reporting protocols;
    2. Cooperate with Clinical Sites’ Occupational Health Services or UEOHC for evaluation, testing, and follow-up care; and
    3. Maintain confidentiality and professionalism throughout the Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure management process.
  4. Follow-Up Care (applicable to Scenario One & Two). Following Bloodborne Pathogen Exposure, Students should seek follow-up care (as applicable) with their primary care provider, Campus Health (in-person or via telehealth), or a local healthcare provider.
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