Division of Physical Therapy

Immunization and Health Information

The WVU School of Medicine has compiled a comprehensive health policy designed to address the multifaceted health needs of your career.

Health Insurance
Health insurance is REQUIRED of all students who matriculate at West Virginia University, School of Medicine, Department of Human Performance and Applied Exercise Science before starting clinical/fieldwork rotations. If you do not have health insurance through your parents, spouse or a personal policy, you may purchase health insurance through the University Student Health Service. This insurance is in addition to the University Student Health Services, which is available to all university students. The insurance covers 100% of billable service at the Ruby Memorial Hospital with School of Medicine physicians in attendance. Health services away from Morgantown in West Virginia or other states are covered at 80% of billable charges. All students must provide documentation of health insurance annually.

Physical Examination, Immunizations, and Titers
All students must complete a physical examination prior to the beginning of the professional program.

All students must have the following immunizations. Immunizations must be documented PRIOR to beginning the professional program, unless otherwise noted.

1. Students are required to have 2 documented shots of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), unless born before 1957.
2. Students must have a diphtheria/tetanus shot (dT) within the past 10 years.
3. Students must have completed the primary series and booster for polio.
4. All students must have a two-step Mantoux PPD (test for tuberculosis) within 6 months of starting the professional program. The student must have a single PPD test annually.
5. Students must complete the Hepatitis B series of 3 shots. Students must have had at least the first shot in the series before beginning the professional program. The second and third shots, as well as the Hepatitis B Titer, must be completed and documented prior to December 1 of the first year of the professional program.
6. The University requires all students to have the meningococcal vaccine

All students must have the following immune (IgG) antibody titers for proof of immunity. Results must be documented PRIOR to beginning the professional program, unless otherwise noted:

1. Measles (rubeola), mumps, rubella
2. Varicella
3. Hepatitis B (must be documented before December 1 of the first year of the professional program).

Some clinical sites may require additional immunizations or other health measures to protect special populations. The program faculty will alert you to these when appropriate.

Students who have not completed the listed immunizations and titers will not be permitted to participate in clinical/fieldwork rotations.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Each student must be certified in CPR, including adult, child, and infant CPR and choking and AED use. Students must provide a copy of a current CPR card prior to beginning the professional program. The student is responsible for keeping an up-to-date CPR certification throughout the professional program. Online courses are not acceptable.

HIPAA Training
All students are required to complete training for awareness and compliance with the patient privacy regulations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act. This training will be available to all Health Sciences Center students, and must be completed within three months of starting classes, by students currently enrolled in the program. Students will receive the training during the fall semester for the first professional year, prior to embarking on clinical rotations.

OSHA Training
All students must be trained in standards for preventing transmission of bloodborne and other infectious agents. This training must occur before students enter the clinic, and annually thereafter. Initial training will be provided in class during the fall semester of the first professional year. An annual retraining session will also be provided.

Criminal Background Checks
All students will be required to undergo a criminal background check after admission to the program. Further background checks will be performed periodically throughout your tenure in the DPT program as required by clinical education sites. These tests will be performed at the student's expense.

Drug Screenings
Some clinical education sites may require periodic drug testing of students who are performing patient care activities. The expense of these drug tests, depending upon the site policies, may be the responsibility of the student. Any positive drug screening will result in removal from clinical sites with further disciplinary actions as deemed appropriate by the WVU Division of Physical Therapy's Policy on Academic & Professional Standards, and/or the Dean/Associate Dean.

Documentation of Health Information
Prior to beginning the professional program, the student must submit a completed Health History, a completed Physical Examination, and a completed Immunization Form. In addition, the student must submit a copy of a current CPR card, health insurance information, and documentation of any immunizations and titers not recorded on the Immunization Form.

It is the student's responsibility to provide updated information on immunizations, health insurance coverage, PPD results, and CPR certification. Students whose files are incomplete will not be allowed to participate in clinical/fieldwork rotations. In addition, registration for other courses may be restricted, or course grades may be affected, for students whose files are incomplete.

Communication of Health Information
Before a student begins a clinical/fieldwork rotation, the academic program must verify to the clinical site that the student has complied with the health requirements. Some sites may request additional documentation, such as copies of immunization cards, lab reports, etc. In this case, the student will be notified and will be required to furnish the clinic with the appropriate records. Therefore, the student should keep a file of his/her own for copies of all the required documentation.

Documents are to be submitted to:

Maintain copies of your physical, immunizations, titer results, CPR cards, health insurance, etc., as you will be responsible for your own copies of your materials. The department is not responsible for making copies of your records.

Revised and effective: Spring, 2009