Allied Health Clinical Experience

Many Allied Health courses offered by HCC-ICCE include optional clinical experience at a hospital, nursing home, or other medical facility (additional fee applies). ALL required clinical clearance documents must be completed and submitted for review and approval for to attend clinicals. Students will not be approved and scheduled for clinical experience until the documents are received. These include:

  • Medical Physical (Completed Student Health and Immunizations Certification Form)
  • PPD (TB Skin Test) with form
  • Complete Immunization Record and/or Titers Results including Influenza, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Chickenpox, Hepatitis B (optional), TDAP.
  • Flu Shot (during flu season)
  • COVID-19  Vaccine (highly recommended, medical/religious exemption is available).
  • Level 1 and 2 Background Check with fingerprints (dismissed without refund if failed)
  • Drug Screen (dismissed without refund if failed)

NOTE:

  • Students have the right to decline vaccinations but may not be able to attend clinical experience.
  • Students who do not attend all required clinical rotations will not be able to complete their program of study.

Do Not Change or Miss the Scheduled Clinical Dates – Student placement at clinical sites is a huge challenge as it depends on site availability. Therefore, once confirmed and scheduled for clinical experience, requesting any changes may result in delays in completing the program and additional fees.

Background Check – A level 2 background check will be conducted through Hillsborough Community College. Students with felonies, especially those related to child or elder abuse are not allowed to participate in the clinical rotation. A failed background check will result in removal from the program with no refund. Persons with criminal history may be able to obtain and exemption from the Agency for Health Care Administration to provide eligibility for employment in a healthcare setting. Visit AHCA for more information.

Drug Screening – Students are required to have a 10-panel drug screen at a location chosen by HCC. If the urine screen is positive, the student will receive a call from the medical review officer to discuss the results.  The same sample is retested for confirmation of results. A failed drug screen will result in removal from the program with no refund.

Physical Exam/Immunizations – Students must get a medical physical exam including a TB skin test and must provide proof that all immunizations are up to date including:  Influenza, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, Chickenpox, Hepatitis B, TDAP.  If the student has a medical issue that can affect their participation in the program, they should advise HCC immediately. We do not recommend taking classes that include phlebotomy/specimen collection and if you are pregnant, or plan on becoming pregnant due to exposure risk. Your physician must complete and sign the Students Health and Immunization Certification Form to you for clinical experience.
Helpful hints:

  1. Your High School should have your immunization records if you have graduated within the past 3 years.
  2. Your primary care doctor may have copies of your immunizations.
  3. You may be able to access your immunization records if you grew up in Florida. Visit https://flshotsusers.com/resources/frequently-asked-questions/ to request vaccine records.
  4. Physicals and immunizations are often free in many health insurance plans including Medicaid and may be completed with your primary care doctor.