School of Allied Health Policies and Procedures

These policies apply to students in the following Allied Health Programs: Bachelor of Science in Allied Health,  Clinical Laboratory Science, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Emergency Medical Services, Medical Assisting, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Physical Therapist Assistant, Polysomnographic Technology, Radiologic Technology, and Surgical Technology.

Students in these Allied Health programs are responsible for knowing and abiding by the information provided in the College Catalog, Student Handbook, course syllabi, and program specific information provided to students. Students are expected to comply with policies and procedures as outlined in these materials. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action as set herein. Students are responsible for obtaining clarification of policies as needed. Copies of the College Catalog, Student Handbook, course syllabi, and program specific documents are maintained in the Program Chair’s office.

Individual programs reserve the right to change policies, course syllabi, and/or revise curricula as may be deemed necessary. These changes may occur at any time during the academic year. Students will be notified of any changes in a timely manner prior to implementation.

Academic Standards

See the Mercy College Catalog for information regarding program requirements, academic standards, academic affairs, and related academic information.

Attendance

Students are required to attend class, lab and clinical rotations in all Allied Health programs as set forth in the Attendance Policy.

Although the absences as outlined in the Attendance Policy will not count against the attendance record,  the student will be required to meet course requirements (See Course Syllabi). Compliance may include earning an incomplete grade “I” and completing the course requirements within a maximum of 30 days after the course is finished. It also may require payment of any clinical make up fee(s). The Program Chair or clinical coordinator will work with the student to create a plan to complete course requirements.

It is the student’s responsibility to inform the Program Chair, Clinical Coordinator or Instructor each day he/she will be absent. See the course syllabi for the deadline for reporting absences and for policies regarding making up tests and assignments.

Students are not required to live in the Des Moines area. However, the attendance standards for classroom, lab and clinical apply to all students. Students are advised to consider the recommendations of the Iowa Highway Patrol on road conditions.

Students may be required to commute to clinical sites outside of the Des Moines Metropolitan area. Students are responsible for their own transportation.

Clinical Expectation

Refer to Course Syllabi for program specific expectations.

Dress Code

1. For clinical experiences the student will be required to wear a standardized uniform (contact your professional program chair for uniform expectations for items requiring an embroidered College logo.)  A clean uniform should be worn each day and it should be wrinkle free. Alterations to the uniforms are for fitting purposes only and not to change the style.
2. As part of the uniform, students are required to wear their Mercy College student identification badge.

Body Piercing and Tattoos

1. Visible body piercings (including tongue piercing) are not permitted.
2. Tattoos must be covered at all times.

Patient Consent Forms

Students may not act as a signature witness on patient consent forms. Students may, under the direction of the preceptor, explain the procedure and consent form to the patient; however, only an authorized physician or staff member may sign the consent form.

Policies Applicable to Medical Assisting, Nuclear Medicine Technology, Radiologic Technology, and Surgical Technology

Radiation Safety

In accordance with federal guidelines for maintaining radiation exposure “As Low As Reasonably Achievable ALARA”, the Allied Health programs provide students with information about protecting themselves, patients, patient’s families, and the health care team. Information is provided prior to assignments to clinical rotations.

Students in Radiologic Technology, Nuclear Medicine Technology, and other Allied Health programs as required, receive and are required to wear a radiation monitoring badge(s) at all times when at clinical rotations. The badge(s) is to be worn as instructed and will be provided by the College at no cost to the student.

To assure student safety:

• The health physicist reviews radiation monitoring badge reports
• Radiation monitoring badge reports are discussed at the quarterly Radiation Safety Committee meeting. The Nuclear Medicine, Medical Assisting, and Radiologic Technology Program Chair are members of this committee.
• If a student’s badge report exceeds the Iowa Department of Public Health safety levels, as adopted by the Radiation Safety Committee, the student receives a letter from the committee chair documenting the exposure. Depending on the dose level, the student may be required to wear an additional radiation monitoring badge.
• Monthly radiation monitoring badge reports are posted for student review and then maintained in the Program Chair or clinical coordinator’s office.
• Coursework covers information on radiation monitoring devices and radiation protection in greater detail.
   

Pregnancy Policy

A student who becomes pregnant during the program may advise the program chair in writing. Students reserve the right to withdraw a declaration of pregnancy at any time. If a student declares a pregnancy in writing she will be counseled if necessary about revision in her clinical schedule to protect the fetus and her from exposure to communicable diseases, radiation and anesthesia gases.

Short-term Certificate Programs Policies

Printing Policy

Printing is available in all computer labs.  Photocopy machines are available in the library and large computer lab. Short-term Certificate Students receive 50 free copies to cover essential printing.  Additional copies may be purchased from the machine located in the vending machine area outside the library.

Payment Information

Payment is due two weeks before class starts and is non-refundable after the first day of class.  Students are considered registered for class only after payment in full is received and may not attend class until such payment is made.

Short-term Certificate versus Course Credit

When a student enrolls in a course that may yield college credit or alternatively earn a certificate, for billing purposes he or she must choose either credit or certificate prior to the start of the class. Once class has started this choice is irrevocable.

Dropping a Short-term Certificate Course

Tuition is non-refundable after the first day of the course. Therefore a student who wishes to drop a course and receive a tuition credit must complete a Schedule Change form and give it to the Registrar prior to the end of the first day of class After the first day of class, a student who wishes to withdraw from the course will receive a “W” if the Schedule Change form is received by Registrar before 50% of the course is completed. Withdrawals after this time period will result in a grade of “F”.

This College Student Handbook is presented as information only and is not a contract between Mercy College and its students. The information, policies, and procedures contained in this Handbook are subject to change at any time with or without notice. Students are responsible for reading and following the information contained in the Handbook, including school-specific policies and procedures. The Admissions Manager will ensure that all admitted students receive instructions on how to access the Student Handbook online.  The student is responsible for knowing and complying with the information contained in the College Student Handbook and any changes to the policies and practices as posted on the College’s learning management system (E-LEOS) and College website.