Student placement agreements are executed in order to enable clinical opportunities. These agreements stipulate that faculty and students adhere to agency requirements. These requirements include, in part, compliance with policy and procedure such as confidentiality, knowledge of orientation material, etc.
Students must show preparation for clinical participation by maintaining clinical requirements set by Bellin College and the clinical agencies. Failure to provide timely documentation will result in an inability to participate in the clinical settings, thus jeopardizing student’s ability to progress. Students are required to be compliant with all health requirements to be fully prepared for clinical experiences.
Students may be required to provide proof of clinical compliance requirements (TB, Measles, Flu Vaccination) per individual site on a case-by-case basis.
Confidentiality of Protected Health Information
Clinical experience requires students to access protected health information about clients. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) requires health information about clients to be secured and kept confidential. As a student, there is a legal and ethical need to protect a client’s right to privacy. Client information will not be shared in any form or medium, including written, verbal, or electronic methods, with anyone other than those who are directly responsible for the patient’s care and treatment. Patient identifiers include, but are not limited to: name, medical records number, and visit number, dates including birth date, date of admission and date of discharge. Patient care information will be discussed only in-patient care areas, and with acute awareness of who is within hearing range.
While students may write down essential information for the preparation and care of clients, information that identifies a client in any way may not be taken from the clinical site. No records may be photocopied for any reason. It is unlawful to disclose all individually identifiable information. This relates to information about past, present and future:
- Physical and mental health
- Provision of healthcare to the client
- Payment for the client’s healthcare
Violation of this policy may result in clinical and/or disciplinary probation, dismissal, and/or legal and financial consequences.
Clinical Compliance Course
Students will complete annual modules located in the learning management system which include, but not limited to, topics such as infection control, bloodborne pathogens, and safety. Students will be assigned the modules and will be expected to complete those modules before starting their clinical course. If any assigned tasks are not completed, students will not be allowed to begin their clinical.
Licensing Examination
A graduate of the DCS certificate program is eligible to sit and take the national board examination in Adult Echocardiography offered by the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). Please visit the ARDMS website for ethics and examination requirements prior to applying to take the exam. The College assists the student in the preparation and application process.