Allied Health Program Code of Clinical Conduct

As a student in an allied health program, appropriate behavior and attitudes are expected while in the classroom, at the College, and in the clinical facilities. Clinical misconduct that endangers patient safety will not be tolerated and may result in immediate dismissal from the course and program. The student must not threaten the physical and/or psychological well-being of a patient, a patient’s family, an employee, faculty or other student by his/her performance in the clinical area. If this occurs, the student may fail the course in which the student is currently enrolled or be removed from the program.

Students are held accountable for any real or potential threat to a patient, an employee, faculty or a student. A behavior or consistent behaviors that result in a threat to the patient’s, employee’s faculty’s or student’s physical and/or psychological behavior is termed “at risk” behavior. Examples of “at risk” behavior(s) include but are not limited to:

1. Violating principles learned in previous semesters. (e.g., a breach in aseptic technique).
2. Using or displaying inappropriate verbal or nonverbal behavior in the presence of the patient, the patient’s family, an employee, or faculty.
3. Violating HIPAA regulations regarding patient confidentiality and protected health information.
4. Administering the wrong medication or wrong dosage.
5. Demonstrating lack of progress in performing required skills.
6. Criticizing patients, faculty and/or staff.
7. Exceeding the absenteeism and/or punctuality policy established for clinical experience.
8. Communicating negative value judgments to patients and employees.
9. Demonstrating incompetence/lack of preparation for clinical assignment.
10. Practicing outside the legal and ethical framework of the profession.
11. Performing procedures prior to faculty/clinical staff approval.
12. Violating professional standard of practice. (e.g., integrity, respect).
13. Fabricating patient information in a patient’s medical record including forging signatures.
14. Stealing medication for personal use or for the benefit of others.
15. Violating the sexual harassment policy as defined in the College’s Student Handbook with an employee of the clinical facility, College faculty and/or students.
16.  One “at-risk” behavior may warrant immediate dismissal from the program if the behavior poses a serious threat to the physical and/or psychological well-being of patients, employees, faculty and students.

Procedure

1. “At-risk” behavior(s) will be documented on the appropriate form. The form must be completed to include all pertinent data stated clearly and the “at-risk” behavior(s) specifically identified.
2. If the faculty member or clinical coordinator is in doubt or if there are extenuating circumstances involved, the faculty member will meet with the clinical site supervisor and one additional faculty member to make a decision regarding the “at-risk” behavior.
3. A student and faculty conference will be held after the “at-risk” behavior has been documented to review the behavior, make recommendations, and obtain the student’s comments and signature.
4. A copy of the form will be given to the student, faculty member, clinical coordinator, clinical site supervisor and curriculum coordinator.
5. When a second “at-risk” behavior has been documented, the following procedures will be instituted:
   1. The student will be counseled by the clinical coordinator, a faculty member and/or the curriculum coordinator regarding termination or removal from the currently enrolled course or program.
   2. The student may withdraw by the designated withdrawal date from the course and receive a “W” for the course.
   3. If the student is removed from the course and/or program by the curriculum coordinator, the student may appeal this decision to the department head and dean.

Note: program director and curriculum coordinator are synonymous terms that can be used interchangeably in this document.

Prepared for Lab Policy

Students are required to bring everything they need to each lab session. This includes gloves, safety glasses, closed toed shoes and a disposable fluid resistant lab coat.  Short shorts, sleeveless tops or sandals may not be worn in the lab. The Phlebotomy/MLT program does not supply gloves for student use during lab sessions. The gloves in the lab are for faculty use. Students not prepared for lab will not be able to stay for lab. 

Malpractice/Liability Insurance

Students are covered by the malpractice/liability insurance carried by the College, however, students are encouraged to obtain individual coverage. Any student wishing information and application should contact the program director.

Medical Insurance

All MLT/phlebotomy students are required to have personal medical insurance coverage. Neither the College nor the clinical affiliates are liable for injury to individual students.

If a student does not have standard personal medical insurance coverage, there is a plan offered through the College. You may obtain information regarding this insurance through the Student Life Center, Room S1-19 or the Women’s Center S3-09.

ALL students must present photocopied documentation of personal medical insurance coverage each semester prior to beginning Clinical Education and upon demand at any other time.       

Policy on Employment During the Academic Year

Many students find it difficult to maintain outside employment while enrolled in the MLT program and find the time necessary to complete the required assignments while working. The faculty discourages working more than 15 hours per week while a student in the Program.  Outside responsibilities such as employment and childcare issues are not acceptable excuses for a student to be absent or complete program responsibilities.

MLT students may be employed as a laboratory assistant or phlebotomist when they become proficient in that area of lab work as determined by the hospital or lab. Students may not be employed for the same hours that they are at a site for a clinical assignment. Students may not receive a salary or stipend for the hours they are learning in a clinical assignment.