Respiratory Therapy Health Requirements

Because our clinical agencies require specific health information, all respiratory therapy majors are required to have a completed health examination submitted by August 15. This is the only health examination required during the program under ordinary circumstances. The University Student Health Center does not provide this service.

The Respiratory Therapy Program form must be used for the health examination and may be obtained from the school’s web site. The student is also required to submit a “Fit for Duty” form based off the program essential functions requirements signed by the physician/health care provider verifying that the student is both physically and mentally fit to provide safe care to patients.

Students are supplied with detailed instructions on how to submit the completed documents to the online service known as SentryMD where student health records will be confidentially maintained. Submitted materials are reviewed to verify that the student is eligible for participation in the clinical courses. Students are responsible for the annual cost of this service. No student will be allowed in a clinical agency without fulfilling this requirement.

The student may also send a copy of the completed health record to the University Health Center.

Health care workers, including students in health care clinical experiences, are at risk for contracting a variety of communicable diseases, and are also at risk for spreading communicable diseases to vulnerable populations. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has specific recommendations for health care workers, in addition to the usual adult immunization recommendations, to better protect health care workers and the populations they serve.

The Respiratory Therapy Program within the School of Health Sciences requires its students to provide proof of certain immunizations and/or immunities prior to the start of the program to assist the School in facilitating clinical placements which are required for program completion. Most, if not all, clinical sites require proof of the immunizations and/or immunities required by the program prior to clinical placement.

Please be advised that failure to receive and provide proof of immunizations (and/or proof of immunity) required by clinical sites may impact a student’s ability to participate in clinical experiences that are required for program completion. Please also be advised that some clinical agencies may require immunizations in addition to those required by the program.

Students with any questions about communicable diseases or immunizations should contact Thomas Lamey, Director of Clinical Education, twlamey@salisbury.edu.

Prior to the start of their respective programs, students must submit documentation of immunity or immunization records for the following to SentryMD.

• Health Exam Form (PDF pending)
• Immunization Record Form (PDF pending)
• Fit for Duty Form (PDF)

A tuberculosis screening test (PPD) is required annually. Students who submitted a previous x-ray due to a positive PPD must sign and submit a form verifying the absence of symptoms by August 1.

For students who had not finished the Hepatitis B series prior to entering the program, completion is required with verification submitted by August 15.

Annual influenza vaccination is required of all SU respiratory therapy students with submission of documentation to SentryMD. Students who are not in compliance with this requirement will not be permitted to participate in clinical experiences.

Due to changing clinical site and agency regulations, Salisbury University students who accept admission to the respiratory therapy program are required to complete a drug screen testing and a background check to participate in clinical experiences. This testing is managed through the PreCheck system. Instructions for completion are provided by the Respiratory Therapy Program. The cost of testing is the responsibility of the student. Students who do not complete this requirement will be unable to remain in the program.

 

If a student is unable to receive a required immunization(s) because of a medical contraindication, they must sign a Salisbury University Respiratory Therapy Program Waiver Receipt of Required Immunization(s) form prior to each academic year for which they are not able to fulfill the requirement. The Waiver of Receipt of Required Immunizations must be signed by a licensed healthcare provider.

Students must report any significant change in their health status that impacts their ability to meet the Respiratory Therapy Program technical standards or be in compliance with the health requirements outlined on the “Fit for Duty and Technical Standards” form.

By definition, any situation that curtails clinical performance activities for more than one clinical absence or creates a pattern of absences (e.g. every other week), and/or involves a hospitalization/medical observation will be considered a “Change in Health Status”.

The following are common examples (not an exhaustive list) consider a of Changes in Health Status: pregnancy, diagnosis of mononucleosis or other infectious/communicable illnesses/diseases, disabling headache lasting more than one clinical week, fractures or other injuries affecting physical ability, hospitalizations, behavioral health issues or other emergency events.

A variety of factors, including length of time (more than one clinical absence or a pattern of absences), hospitalization/medical observation, clinical agency policies, and adherence to the usual standard of medical care, will enter into the determination of what kind of documentation is required before a student can return to clinical experiences.

1. The Length of Absence from Clinical: If the resolution of the health problem requires more than one clinical absence, a Change of Health Status will be activated, and will require new documentation and signatures by a licensed health care provider stating that the student is fit for duty.
2. Compliance with Clinical Agency Policies: SU Respiratory Therapy students must meet the health requirements of our clinical affiliates. If a student has had a significant change in health status as determined above, new documentation and signatures by a licensed health care provider stating that the student is fit for duty will be required.
3. Adherence to the usual Standard of Care: If medical, psychological, and other types of interventions are ordinarily part of care, [e.g., rest, limitation of weight-bearing, use of casts/boots, crutches, restrictions on lifting, medications that alter cognition, etc.], students may not return to clinical until they provide new documentation and signatures from a licensed health care provider stating that the student is fit for duty.

The student must be aware that:

1. Suspected changes in health status must be reported to Program Chair and or the Director of Clinical Education.
2. Clinical agency policies regarding health requirements may vary widely from location to location and by the population served e.g. policies for working with pregnant women, infants, and children are generally stricter
3. After a “Change in Health Status”, a new, updated “Fit for Duty and Technical Standards” form must be completed and signed by a licensed health care provider indicating that the student is safe to return to clinical experiences.
4. Clearance to return to clinical experiences will not be granted until all medical documents have been received, uploaded, and accepted by SentryMD.

The COVID-19 vaccine is required for all students and employees at USM institutions, including Salisbury University respiratory therapy students. Those students who are non-compliant with the USM COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate are not permitted to participate in clinicals, rotations or internships. Compliance means that a student is either a) fully vaccinated, including receiving the booster when eligible, or b) has an approved medical or religious exemption. Unvaccinated students, including those who have not received the booster when eligible, with approved exemptions, are required to participate in twice-weekly COVID-19 testing in order to maintain access to Salisbury University’s campus and clinical placement sites.

 Students should note however, that clinical and rotation sites are not required to recognize SU’s medical or religious exemptions. As a result, hospitals and other clinical and rotation sites may refuse to allow students who are unvaccinated or who have not received the booster when eligible to participate. Students are hereby informed that, while they are permitted to enroll in the SU Respiratory Therapy and CHHS programs, their eligibility to participate in required clinicals is dependent on the requirements of the site, and if they refuse to comply with those requirements, they may not be able to complete the program due to lack of required clinical hours.

 SU students and employees must complete the SU COVID-19 Consent Form. If you have not already done so, please complete this form and make sure to check all three boxes before submitting the form. To learn more about the vaccines that are available at SU, please contact CampusHealth@salisbury.edu.