Clinical Requirements

Clinical Requirements

Part of the learning experience involves direct patient care. Each student is held personally accountable to meeting specific health requirements to ensure the well-being of patients, staff and other individuals, and to foster self-care behaviors.

The following documentation must be on file in the Health Careers Office prior to the first day of class and maintained throughout enrollment in the program:

  • Physical examination and statement from a physician or mid-level care provider licensed to practice in Illinois
  • Hepatitis B series vaccine or proof of positive titer
  • Laboratory tests
    • Complete blood count (CBC)
    • Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR)
    • Tetanus
    • Documented history of MMR (measles, [Rubeola], mumps, rubella [German measles]), Varicella (Chicken pox) or proof of positive titers
  • 10 panel toxicology screen showing negative results for a period of 30 days prior to admission into the nursing program, up to and including the first day of clinical
    • A negative toxicology screen is required for student entry into a clinical facility and must be maintained throughout the program
  • Color vision screening
  • Two-step Tuberculosis (TB) PPD test, with 10 days between tests, or quantiFERON test
    • For positive PPD results, a chest x-ray is required. NOTE: This test is required annually.
  • Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis Vaccine (Tdap)
  • Influenza vaccine is required in October, which is the start of the "flu season" (October through May)
  • Liability insurance purchased through the college at registration
  • Health insurance
  • Background check
    • Each student must consent in writing to a criminal background check to be done prior to entry into a healthcare facility, in accordance with State law and The Joint Commission standards for healthcare workers
  • American Heart Association Basic Life Support (AHA BLS) for Healthcare Providers certification (CPR)
    • This is the only certification accepted by the Morton College Nursing Program, which expires two (2) years from the date it is issued.

A student is required to update health requirements following a change in health status, changes made by the clinical facility or student's insurer.

Any student who does not provide proof of current health and certification requirements (following admission and throughout the program, as necessary) will not participate in any clinical experiences. No exceptions can be made, as part of the program's effort to protect the public.

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