Policies on Student Identification and Immunizations

Identification Policy

ARC-PA 5th ed Standard A3.06

Students will ALWAYS introduce themselves to patients, patient family members, and clinical site staff by stating their full name and position title – “physician assistant student.”

Students will wear the Gardner-Webb University Department of Physician Assistant Studies student identification badge (proper photo identification issued by the university) whenever they are in a health care facility or in their official capacity as a student of the PA Studies Program (Standard A3.06). The identification name badge should be affixed to attire on the upper chest and not below the chest area (e.g., not on belt, pants, or skirt).

Student ID badges must always be available while in the classroom.

• Access to the building after regular business hours is only available with ID badge access.
• Access to CoHS Rooms 218 & 219 are by ID badge access
• Access to the Anatomage® room after classroom hours is only available with ID badge access.

Immunization Policy

ARC-PA 5th ed Standards A3.07; A3.19

The GWU Department of PA Studies adheres to CDC/ACIP vaccination policies and recommendations/guidelines (Standards A3.07; A3.19). Before matriculation, all applicants to the GWU PA Studies Program must submit documentation of immunizations, titers, and/or proof of immunity by NOVEMBER 15 via CastleBranch services. Students must maintain current immunizations. Students are required to demonstrate their adherence to immunization policy by uploading documentation into CastleBranch by all mandatory deadlines. Failure to do so may result in a violation of professionalism and prevent the student from progressing in the program.

The list of required immunizations includes:

• Hepatitis B: two (2)-dose vaccine series [Heplisave-B] or three (3)-dose vaccine series [Engerix-B or Recombivax HB] and records of a titer validating current immunity. If the quantitative titer is negative, another two (2)- or three (3)dose Hepatitis B series should be completed, and a quantitative titer repeated according to guidelines.
• Influenza: Record of having received one (1) dose of the influenza immunization preceding matriculation and provide proof of having received an influenza immunization no later than October 1 annually while enrolled in the program.
• Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR): Record of titer validating current immunity or documentation of a two (2)-dose vaccine series administered according to guidelines.
• Polio: Documentation of the completed primary series of at least three (3) vaccinations.
• Varicella: Record of titer validating current immunity or a two (2) vaccine series administered according to guidelines. Note: History of a previous infection is not sufficient evidence of immunity.
• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis: Record of having received one (1) dose of Tdap followed by Tdap or Td booster every ten years.
• Two-step tuberculosis skin test (TST) or Interferon-Gamma Release Assays (IGRA – TB blood test): Must be completed within the four months preceding the first day of classes. BCG vaccination does not prevent testing. For students who have received the BCG vaccine, an IGRA, either QuantiFERON TB Gold (QFT-G) or T-Spot, is preferred. If TST or IGRA is positive or if there is a history of previous positive TB testing, a negative chest x-ray is required within the four months preceding the first day of classes. If a student is allergic to TB testing, a chest x-ray is required for screening. If a student has recently received a live virus vaccine, TB testing should be delayed for four (4) weeks.
• Annual re-testing for tuberculosis (TB) is required and must be the two-step TB test (unless contraindicated by a previous severe reaction) to meet clinical year requirements and must be submitted by October 1 via Castlebranch. Before the start of clinical rotations, students must have documentation of completion of a two-step TB test. Students must maintain up to date annual two-step TB testing throughout their clinical year. After a positive PPD or IGRA test result and subsequent chest x-ray, students must be evaluated by the Health Department. If the chest X-ray is positive, the applicant/student will not be allowed to enter or continue training until treated and cleared by an infectious disease specialist.
• COVID-19 Vaccine: Because of the evolving COVID-19 environment, the program encourages all students to anticipate the COVID-19 vaccine may be required to meet the onboarding requirements of our clinical partners. Should a clinical site include the COVID-19 vaccine as an onboarding requirement, failure to meet the clinical site’s standards may result in delayed progression through the program or graduation.

Recommended but not required:
The CDC recommends the following vaccines, and the Department of PA Studies strongly supports the CDC recommendations:

• Meningococcal
• Hepatitis A

Clinical sites may require additional vaccinations and documentation. Compliance with their requirements is mandatory, and any expense incurred will be the sole responsibility of the student.

Students who have a medical contraindication for specific vaccinations may have additional requirements mandated (e.g., students who have a medical contraindication for influenza vaccination may be required to wear a mask during the entire influenza season). Some clinical facilities reserve the right not to permit students who have not received the influenza vaccination for medical reasons, even with a mask. Changes in clinical site requirements may necessitate a change in clinical rotation assignments or the inability to be placed on supervised clinical preceptor experiences.

International Travel Immunizations

Students participating in international rotations are expected to meet CDC immunization recommendations for
international travel for that country before travel dates.

*Required to matriculate into the university.