Communicable Disease Policy

You may not participate in classroom or field experiences during the time you are affected by or suspect you have a communicable disease. A communicable disease is a health disorder that can be passed from one person to another. If suspected of communicable disease, you must immediately visit your personal physician for evaluation. If the evaluation shows possible communicable disease, you must remain out of contact with patients for the duration suggested by the physician and report this to the course faculty and program director. You may not return to participation in clinicals until you have been re-evaluated by a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant and released with written verification from the medical provider. You must contact the clinical faculty and preceptor upon suspicion and verification of the disease. Each clinical practice is answerable to their regional Health Department Guidelines, thus we defer to local regional health authorities, and abide by the protocols of the practice where you are completing your clinical hours. Please ensure you are familiar with the policies in your state, local area, and at your site.

The following are examples of communicable diseases: 

AIDS

Strep pharyngitis

Hand, foot, mouth syndrome

Cholera

Measles

Viral and acute hepatitis

Tetanus

Influenza

Herpes

Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

Herpes Simplex

Lice (pediculosis)

Conjunctivitis

Meningitis (bacterial)

Lyme disease

Impetigo

Mumps

Escherichia coli (E coli)

Diphtheria

Pertussis (whooping cough)

Tuberculosis

Yellow Fever

Rubella

Group A Strep

Chickenpox

Shigellosis

Pinworms

Diarrhea-infectious

Streptococcal pneumonia

Ringworm

Hepatitis A, B or C

Scabies

COVID-19