Registration with Alberta College of Pharmacists The Health Professions Act requires that pharmacy students be registered as students (restricted practitioners) or if holding an undergraduate degree in pharmacy to be on the College’s clinical register in order to practice in the exclusive scope areas of pharmacy to which they are exposed in a clinical placement. All fees and other costs associated with this registration are the responsibility of the student.

Police Information Check: Under The Protection for Persons in Care Act, all students going to any placement site in Alberta are required to complete a Police Information Check (also known as a Criminal Record Check, Security Clearance Check, or Police Clearance), which must include a Vulnerable Sector Check. The Faculty requires this check prior to the start of the first experiential learning course. The placement site will determine the criteria for acceptance/denial of a placement.

Police Information Checks will be collected at a designated time by the Experiential Education Office of the Faculty. Typically, one Police Information Check will be required for the duration of the program if continuously enrolled. However, students will be required to confirm annually that their Police Information Check remains clear. If there is a change in status, a new Police Information Check is required. The Police Information Check must be dated no earlier than 90 days prior to the date of collection as determined by the Faculty’s Office of Experiential Education.

Students who have an unclear Police Information Check may be unable to complete required experiential activities and may be required to withdraw from the program.

Students who have concerns related to their ability to provide a clear Police Information Check should consult with the Faculty. The ultimate responsibility for ensuring that students meet the requirements of placement sites lies with the students. Other background checks may be required by a placement site, such as a child intervention record check. Students will be advised if any additional background checks are required by a placement site. See §23.8.3 for more information on the general requirements concerning Police Information Checks and the fees associated with them.

CPR and First Aid Certification: Students in the Faculty must obtain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) Level C and a certificate in First Aid (Standard or Emergency First Aid) by the end of March (last business day) of first year for the BScPharm program or prior to clinical placements for the PharmD program. Please note that CPR Level C with First Aid meets the requirements for providing injections. All fees and other costs for CPR/First Aid certification are the responsibility of the student. Students must maintain valid certification for both CPR Level C and First Aid until they graduate.

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.