Registration with Alberta College of Pharmacists Section 2(1) of the Pharmaceutical Profession Act requires that pharmacy students be registered as interns (restricted practitioners) with the College in order to practice in the exclusive scope areas of pharmacy to which they are exposed in a clinical rotation. All fees and other costs associated with this registration are the responsibility of the student.

Security Clearance Check: Students should be aware that under The Protection for Persons in Care Act, they can be required to satisfy a criminal records check before being allowed to serve a period of internship, practicum placement, work experience, or to complete a course requirement. Refer to §23.8.3 for more information.

Students will be required to satisfy a criminal records check at entrance into the undergraduate program of the Faculty in order to meet PHARM 300 requirements. Subsequent criminal records checks must be satisfied for all practicum placements where it is required by the site, including all institutional site placements. All fees and other costs associated with obtaining security record checks are the responsibility of the student.

CPR Certification: Students in the Faculty must obtain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by the end of the Fall term in which they are admitted. Please note that this requirement is satisfied by a HEART SAVER (basic 4-hour) course. All fees and other costs for CPR certification are the responsibility of the student.

Immunization and Bloodborne Pathogens Policy:

Immunizations

To ensure, insofar as possible, both student and patient health and safety, the Faculty requires vaccination against, of proof of immunity to, poliomyelitis, diphtheria, tetanus, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chicken pox), and hepatitis B. As well, a one-step tuberculin skin test is required in the first year of the program. After completion of their training, students from health science faculties may be required to have tuberculin testing as part of their employment in a health care facility. It is recommended that all testing and vaccination be performed or confirmed by University Health Centre.

Bloodborne Pathogens

The University of Alberta recognizes its duty to minimize the risk of transmission of bloodborne pathogens to/by individuals studying/working at the University. The GFC Bloodborne Pathogens Policy §108.12 limits the possibility of transmission of bloodborne pathogens within the educational setting. The University recognizes, however, that it is not possible to completely eliminate the risk of infection. The Faculty, in accordance with University policies and other current guidelines, has developed the following recommendations concerning bloodborne pathogens. These recommendations will be reviewed and adapted as further information on bloodborne pathogens becomes available.

Any exposure to human blood/body fluids shall be reported immediately according to the University of Alberta protocols. Refer to the Faculty Office for guidance.

Hepatitis B Virus (HBV): Current information indicates that there is a potential risk of transmission of hepatitis B from practitioner to patients in the clinical experience in practice settings. Therefore, applicants will be required to be tested for hepatitis B surface antigen by a personal physician or a physician at University Health Centre. Applicants who test positive for hepatitis B surface antigen will be further tested to help determine infectivity risk. Applicants who test positive for the antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen shall not require hepatitis B surface antigen testing.

For those applicants who test negative to hepatitis B surface antigen and are registered in the Pharmacy program, hepatitis B vaccination will be required. An exception will be made for those who have medical contraindications or for those who already have proof of hepatitis B immunity. After vaccination, students will be tested to determine if they have developed immunity. If they have not, further hepatitis B vaccination and counselling will be determined by the University Health Centre.

At all times students will follow Universal Precautions when there is a potential of exposure to human blood or body fluids.

Immunization requirements must be fulfilled by September 30 in the first year of the program. Students must sign a waiver if they are unable to meet immunization requirements due to medical contraindications.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and hepatitis C Virus (HCV): Current evidence-based research data indicates that transmission of HIV and HCV from a health care worker (HCW) to a patient in a health care setting is extremely rare, although transmission from patients to a HCW is more common. Mandatory testing for HIV and HCV is not recommended at this time.

Note: For updates on changes to medical and immunization requirements refer to the Faculty Office.

N 95 Respirator Fit Testing

Students with potential exposure to airborne infectious agents during clinical placement are required to be fit tested for N 95 respirators, as required by the clinical placement facility. Check with the Faculty office for the procedure to schedule this fit testing.

Procedures: The procedures governing practicums and placement are binding and will be provided in a procedures manual.

Placement: All required practicums are undertaken at Faculty-approved sites within Alberta. The Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is committed to a regional placement program in which students are normally required to undertake practicums in centres other than Edmonton.

Access to transportation and accommodation is not considered in making practicum placements. Such access, and the associated costs, are the responsibility of the student.

Site protocols: Students on volunteer or practicum placements are required to follow the administrative procedures and regulations (including dress requirements) of the placement site.

Although special services are provided on campus to assist disabled students, these same services may not be available for off-campus placements.