Physician Assistant Compliance Requirements

The Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) is committed to ensuring all Physician Assistant (PA) students are compliant with national and state recommendations for healthcare professionals, as well as additional/specific requirements mandated by the school’s clinical affiliates. All PA students are required to be in full adherence to the program’s compliance requirements while enrolled in the MPAS program as an essential part of their professional responsibility for patient safety.

Records and documentation will be tracked with the program's clinical education database, Exxat. Students will receive access to their Exxat account when on boarding with the MPAS program and will be responsible for providing all required documents by established deadlines. Students in traditional or wisPACT tracks will pay $55 for their 2 years in the program and students in distance tracks will pay $75 for their 3 years in the program to access features in Exxat. This is a one-time fee charged the first time students access their account. Any additional cost for immunizations and screenings will be the responsibility of the student.

Note: Some clinical sites may require additional immunizations, trainings, and screenings. It is the student's responsibility to comply with all clinical site requirements.

Health & Immunizations

Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)

  • Document two (2) doses of the vaccine OR
  • Provide antibody titer results documenting immunity for all three (3) components.
  • If titer is negative, student will have to repeat the series of vaccinations.

Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis

  • Document one dose of tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis vaccine within the last 10 years.
  • Tdap vaccine can be given regardless of interval since the last Td dose.
  • Td fulfills the requirement only if a prior Tdap has been given.

Varicella (Chickenpox)

  • Document two (2) doses of the vaccine OR
  • Provide antibody titer results documenting immunity.
  • If titer is negative, you will have to repeat the series of vaccinations.
  • History of disease is accepted.

Hepatitis B

  • Document three (3) doses of the vaccine OR
  • Provide antibody titer results documenting immunity.
  • If titer is negative, a second Hepatitis B series is required. Repeat titer is not required.

COVID-19

  • Upload documentation of:
    • One dose of J &J COVID-19 vaccine OR
    • Two doses of previously available Pfizer or Moderna vaccines OR
    • One dose of the bivalent/2022-2023 vaccine (regardless of previous vaccination status) OR 
    • Two doses of Novavax Vaccine, (if previously unvaccinated) OR
    • One dose of Pfizer (COMIRNATY) or Moderna (SPIKEVAX) received after 9/11/23 (regardless of previous vaccination status) OR
    • Signed waiver 

COVID-19 Booster

A booster dose is recommended, but not required. 

  • Upload documentation of:
    • One dose of J &J COVID-19 vaccine and a booster OR
    • Two doses of previously available Pfizer or Moderna vaccines and a booster OR 
    • One dose of the bivalent/2022-2023 vaccine (regardless of previous vaccination status) OR
    • Two doses of Novavax Vaccine, (if previously unvaccinated) OR
    • One dose of Novavax Vaccine along with primary vaccination of J&J/ Pfizer/Moderna OR
    • One dose of Pfizer (COMIRNATY) or Moderna (SPIKEVAX) received after 9/11/23 (regardless of previous vaccination status)  OR    
    • Signed waiver   

Influenza

Annual flu vaccinations are required.

  • Documented flu vaccination for current flu season OR
  • Completed and signed flu vaccine declination.
  • Pharmacy receipts or prescription are accepted as long as they have the administration date, lot #, and student name.

TB Test

Annual screening for tuberculosis is required.

  • Initial negative 2-step PPD skin test or negative QuantiFERON Gold test or T-spot administered within the past 12 months.
  • If 2 step PPD or blood test is positive, must show proof of negative chest x-ray within the last 12 months.

  • If initial test is negative, then negative 1-step PPD skin test required each year after.
  • If initial test is positive, then upload symptom free TB questionnaire administered annually through UHS.

To request an exemption from the immunization requirement, a student must provide the following:

  1. A signed and dated statement explaining their objection on the grounds that administration of one or more of the required immunizing agents conflicts with their religious beliefs unless the Board of Health has declared an emergency or an epidemic of disease. The school will inform the student of the risks to themselves and others of the student’s not being immunized.
  2. A signed and dated statement from a licensed physician which states that the student’s physical condition is such that administration of one or more of the required immunizing agents would be detrimental to their health.

If an exemption is approved, the School of Medicine and Public Health cannot guarantee that our affiliated hospitals and clinics will allow the student to participate in patient care at these affiliated sites.

Certifications & Trainings

Basic Life Support (BLS) Certification

The BLS course trains participants to promptly recognize several life-threatening emergencies, give high-quality chest compressions, deliver appropriate ventilations and provide early use of an AED.

  • Upload proof of BLS certification.
  • No specific vendor is required.

Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Certification

ACLS is an advanced course that builds on the foundation of lifesaving BLS skills, emphasizing the importance of continuous, high-quality CPR, and high-performance team dynamics. 

  • Upload proof of ACLS certification.
  • No specific vendor is required.

HIPAA Training

All students are required to complete an annual HIPAA Privacy and Security Training to ensure they understand how to protect patient information.

  • Training completed in Canvas annually.
  • Upload proof of completion from grade book.
  • Must show student's name.

Safety & Infection Control Training

All students are required to complete an annual Safety and Infection Control Training through UWHealth

  • Upload certificate of completion annually.

Verification & Screenings

All screenings are accessed and initiated in Exxat and completed by Universal. Results will be uploaded to Exxat by Universal for the student. Students are responsible for paying the listed fees to Universal for background checks and drug screenings. These are typically one-time fees unless a clinical site requires an updated background check or drug screening. Fees will be paid directly to Universal when initiating and scheduling the screenings.

Criminal Background Check ($42)

The criminal background check contains a statewide criminal search for the past 7 years.

  • Initiate screening in Exxat, a link to complete all required information will be sent to you via email from Universal.
  • Follow all prompts in the link until you receive a confirmation number.
  • Results will be uploaded within 3-5 business days.

Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check ($22)

The Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check is required for all students regardless of if they have previously resided in Wisconsin. 

  • Initiate screening in Exxat, a link to complete all required information will be sent to you via email from Universal.
  • Follow all prompts in the link until you receive a confirmation number.
  • Results will be uploaded within 3-5 business days.

Urine Drug Screen ($39)

A 10-panel urine drug screen is required for all students.

  • Initiate screening in Exxat, a link to complete all required information will be sent to you via email from Universal.
  • Follow all prompts in the link until you receive a confirmation number.
  • Select clinic where you will provide a urine sample.
  • An email containing the clinic address, hours, and an authorization bar code will be sent to the student and must be provided at time of screening.
  • Results will be uploaded within 2 weeks.

Insurance

Health Insurance

All MPAS students are required to maintain active health insurance throughout their time in the program and must provide proof of insurance annually. 

  • Upload front and back of card insurance card

Travel

Due to frequent health updates and ongoing changes in international vaccination requirements, students expecting to travel internationally for a service-learning or clinical experience are highly encouraged to visit a specialized travel medicine provider or their primary care provider at least 6-9 months prior to their expected travel to obtain vaccinations. It is also encouraged that they review the CDC country-specific recommendations for international travel 6-9 months prior to their trip: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/vaccinations.htm.

 
Consequences of Non-Compliance

Students who are not in compliance by given deadlines, or who fall out of compliance during the semester, are not allowed to participate in clinical experiences. Students may return to clinical settings once cleared by the Clinical Year Team. Students may only return to clinical settings after the appropriate immunization or training has been completed and documentation submitted. 



Keywordsphysician assistant, students, clinical, compliance, immunizations, training, background check, drug screen   Doc ID132955
OwnerClaire F.GroupSMPH Academic Affairs Resource
Created2023-11-22 09:55:42Updated2024-04-29 11:17:43
SitesSMPH Academic Affairs Resource
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