Physical Therapy Compliance Requirements

The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program is committed to ensuring all Physical Therapy (PT) 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 PT students are required to be in full adherence to the program’s compliance requirements while enrolled in the DPT 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 DPT program and will be responsible for providing all required documents. 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 after age 12 months OR
  • Provide antibody titer results documenting immunity.
  • If titer is negative, student must repeat the series of vaccinations or complete a booster dose as recommended by a healthcare provider (HCP).

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, student must repeat the series of vaccinations or complete a booster dose as recommended by HCP.
  • History of disease is accepted.

Hepatitis B

  • Document three (3) or two (2) dose series of the vaccine AND
  • Provide antibody titer results documenting immunity.
  • If titer is negative, a second Hepatitis B series is required. Repeat titer is required.
  • If repeat titer is negative, please submit a non-convertor letter from your HCP.

COVID-19 & Booster

  • Documentation of COVID vaccine (2 doses of Pfizer or Moderna or 1 dose Janssen)
  • Booster dose is required.
  • Completed and signed COVID-19 Vaccine waiver of declination is accepted.

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 or fill date on it.

TB Test

Annual screening for tuberculosis is required.

  • Initial negative 2-step PPD skin test or negative QuantiFERON Gold test administered within the past 12 months.
  • If 2 step PPD or blood test is positive, must show proof of negative chest x-ray. UHS may require additional testing. 

  • 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.

Polio

Students are strongly recommended to have an initial polio vaccine series before they begin school.

  • Upload proof of vaccination if required by clinical site.

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 (front and back of card)
  • Vendor must be American Heart Association
  • CPR/AED not accepted

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.

N95 Fit Test

  • Respirator fit testing will be scheduled with University Health Services (UHS)
  • Clinical education staff will upload results from your Mask Fit test with UHS
  • Must include mask type and date of the test

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.

Criminal Background Check

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

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

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 DPT 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

  

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 Education Team. Students may only return to clinical settings after the appropriate immunization or training has been completed and documentation submitted. 



Keywordsphysical therapy, students, clinical, compliance, immunizations, training, background check, drug screen   Doc ID134023
OwnerClaire F.GroupSMPH Academic Affairs Resource
Created2024-01-16 14:21:18Updated2024-02-22 11:35:33
SitesSMPH Academic Affairs Resource
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