Health Requirements
In addition to meeting the immunization requirements of Berkeley College, students in the Sterile Processing Technician program must complete a physical assessment by a licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant at least 10 weeks prior to the start of Surgical Processing Clinical Practicum (SPT2150). In addition, students must provide appropriate proof of immunity as follows:
- Blood titers for measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. If not immune, the student must comply with the full vaccination series for these titers.
- Hepatitis HBs:Ag and HBs:Ab blood titers and/or full vaccination series for the Hepatitis B vaccine.
- A negative QuantiFERON blood test within the last twelve (12) months and/or a negative chest X-ray within three (3) months if the QuantiFERON blood test is considered positive.
- A Tdap vaccine administered within the past ten (10) years.
The School of Health Studies requires all clinical students to have a yearly influenza vaccine. Additionally, a COVID-19 vaccine and available boosters are required. Please note that some sites may also require weekly PCR testing in addition to the COVID-19 vaccination series. Failure to comply with these immunization requirements may prohibit students from attending clinical courses. Additionally, proof of individual health insurance or being an eligible dependent or beneficiary of another person’s accident and health insurance policy is required. Students not able to meet this requirement may find it difficult to complete the required clinical clearance process, clinical rotation, and/or progress in the program.
A negative 12-panel, pre-clinical urine toxicology screening is also required. This includes screening for:
- Amphetamines
- Barbiturates
- Benzodiazepine
- Cannabinoids
- Cocaine
- Meperidine
- Methadone
- Opiates
- Oxycodone
- Phencyclidine
- Propoxyphene
- Tramadol
The cost associated with all required drug screenings, including initial and repeat testing, will be the responsibility of the student.
By submitting the results of a urine toxicology screening to Berkeley College, the student authorizes Berkeley College to share those results with any clinical facilities or affiliates that request such information as part of clinical placement requirements.
Any student who fails to submit the required documentation outlined above within the established time frame will be withdrawn from the Surgical Processing Clinical Practicum (SPT2150) course and will earn a WF as a first attempt. Students are reminded that a WF will be treated as a course failure, which may impede the ability to progress in the program. Failure to comply with the clinical clearance process outlined above for a second time will result in immediate dismissal from the program. Students are responsible for retaining copies of all submitted documentation provided to the Clinical Coordinator. The Allied Health - Surgical Department reserves the right to make administrative adjustments to clinical placements as necessary.
Upon readmission, reinstatement, or returning from a Leave of Absence, a student must repeat the drug screening outlined above prior to participating in any clinical rotations. If, during the course of study, students are suspected of drug use, they may be required to submit to an updated urine toxicology screening during the specified time. The cost associated with any such repeat drug screening will also be borne by the student.
A negative drug screen at all times is mandatory to progress in the Sterile Processing Technician program during clinical education and rotations. Students with a positive drug test result, inconclusive results, or evidence of specimen tampering will be subject to immediate dismissal from the Sterile Processing Technician program.
Medical documentation or provider notes, including those from licensed healthcare professionals, will not exempt a student from compliance with this drug screening policy or alter program progression requirements.
Health Advisory
Berkeley College’s Sterile Processing Technician program is physically and mentally challenging. During the laboratory and clinical portions of the program, students will be exposed to healthcare situations where there is an increased risk of exposure to strenuous activity, communicable diseases, radiation, and toxic substances.
Students may be exposed to a variety of other situations and substances which could potentially affect students with medical conditions that include, but are not limited to, asthma, allergies, and pregnancy. If a student becomes pregnant during the practicum, these exposures can harm the student’s unborn baby. If you are concerned, you should consult with your healthcare provider prior to participating in the clinical practicum to ensure you are physically capable of remaining in the program and meeting all relevant technical standards outlined in this Handbook. Neither Berkeley College nor its affiliating clinical agencies shall be responsible for any harm that might occur to a fetus or pregnant student.
Any student who is unable to continue in clinical courses based on the recommendation of her/his healthcare provider will be afforded the opportunity, once medically cleared, to return to the program pending course availability.