DRAFT LANGUAGE
It is the policy of Health Sciences Programs at the George Washington University (GW Health Sciences) that all students enrolled in Health Sciences (HS) courses or programs that require students to participate in a clinical rotation or supervised clinical experience must complete a drug screening (DS) and might be required to complete a criminal background check (CBC).
This policy is designed to provide a safe environment for patients, visitors, faculty, employees, and students in GW Health Sciences and its affiliated institutions. Criminal background checks (CBC) and Drug Screens (DS) allow GW Health Sciences to evaluate whether a student possesses the character and fitness to participate in clinical education activities and adhere to the requirements of the clinical facilities to which students are assigned for clinical rotations or supervised clinical experiences. Specific DS or CBC requirements may vary by program or course depending on the site requirements.
- Once admitted or registered for GW Health Sciences coursework, students will be required to complete a Drug Screening (DS), may be required to complete a Criminal Background Check (CBC), and to authorize release of the results to appropriate academic and/or clinical personnel.
- All students required to complete a CBC and DS must use the GW Health Sciences third-party processor, CertiphiScreening, unless approved by the Associate Dean or delegate.
- Unless included as part of the program/course fees or the clinical site assumes the cost, students are responsible for the cost associated with both initial and continuing CBC and DS.
- DS retakes must be authorized through the GW Health Sciences team and cost is the responsibility of the student unless otherwise covered by program policy.
- Any costs incurred by unauthorized DS retakes are the responsibility of the student and failure to pay will be reported to the GW Conflict Education & Student Accountability Office for a violation of the Code of Student Conduct.
- All CBCs and DSs must be completed in a timely manner as outlined by the student’s chosen program or a course syllabus.
- Students who fail to complete the CBC and/or DS in a timely manner are subject to administrative course removal or an administrative hold to prevent further registration.
- The DS requirement is only considered complete when a result of “Clear” is achieved or an exception is authorized by the Associate Dean or delegate.
- Exceptions for legally prescribed medications will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are at the discretion of the Associate Dean or delegate in collaboration with the program or course faculty.
- Any disruption in enrollment may require a student to undergo additional CBC or DS.
Certain programs of study may require subsequent CDC or DS to meet clinical facility requirements prior to placement of a student in a clinical rotation. If a student has an unsatisfactory result on either a CBC or DS during the matriculation period, it may preclude participation in any further clinical rotations. As a result, the student may not be able to complete the requirements of the education program, may not be eligible for federal or state credentialing required for practice, and may be dismissed from the program.
Results of all CBC and DS testing shall be privileged and confidential, are maintained in a secure place, and shall not be released or otherwise disclosed to any person or agency, other than the (1) Associate Dean or their delegate; (2) persons who have a legitimate need to know, as determined by the Associate Dean or their delegate; (3) upon direction of a court order; or (4) with the written consent of the student.
Students enrolled in a SMHS program or coursework are required to disclose misdemeanor or felony convictions, other than minor traffic violations, to the Office of the Associate Dean within five (5) business days of occurrence. Non-disclosure or falsification may be grounds for dismissal or degree revocation.
Review the Criminal Background Check and Drug Screen procedures here.
Bulletin Text DRAFT:
Students enrolling in programs or coursework that requires participation in a clinical setting are subject to the statutory and/or regulatory requirements independently imposed by law, or as required by affiliating entities. Any and all requirements of the clinical facilities to which students are assigned for clinical rotations or supervised clinical experiences must be followed. Such requirements can be more extensive than referenced herein and students will be notified of these requirements ahead of program acceptance or after course registration.
Certain criminal offenses preclude students from participating in patient care. In addition, some professional licensure boards also prohibit licensure for those convicted of specific offenses. The inability to participate in patient care or being subject to any other exclusion prescribed by law could preclude successful completion of the requisite curriculum. As such, affected students may be ineligible for matriculation, enrollment in specific coursework, continuation in their chosen program, or graduation.
Prospective students seeking admission to a GW Health Sciences program are required to disclose any misdemeanor or felony convictions at the time of application for admission, regardless of severity or timeframe (Simple traffic infractions are exempt from this policy).
GW Health Sciences does not guarantee state licensure boards will issue a license to any individual with or without a criminal record. Applicants with any record of a criminal offense are strongly encouraged to contact the licensing board associated with their chosen program within the state in which they would intend to practice.
More information can be found on the GW Health Sciences Criminal Background Chek and Drug Screening Policy webpage.