CastleBranch
Understanding Your
CASTLEBRANCH
CastleBranch is an online platform that allows students to order and submit documentation to meet clinical requirements. Information collected through CastleBranch is secure, tamper-proof, and kept confidential. Student background check results and clinical requirements will be posted on their CastleBranch account, where the student and Mercy College can view them. Our FAQ may answer all of your questions!
Not all majors require a CastleBranch Account. If you have questions about whether an account is required for your major, please contact your admissions counselor or Allied Health department chair.
CASTLEBRANCH
ACCOUNT INSTRUCTIONS
- Access the website at https://disahealthcare.com/?ref=cb
- To begin the process, click the PLACE ORDER button on the top right of the screen.
- Click GO under DISA CB CastleBranch.
- Enter your program’s package code in the relevant text box.
- (If you do not already have a CastleBranch account, you will be prompted to make one.)
- You will see a screen that contains the school’s information, the package contents, and pricing information. To move ahead, you will need to check the box stating you agree to the terms of the site and then click on the CONTINUE ORDER.
- The next screen will prompt you to enter your personal information.
- Once you have set up an account and entered your personal information, a To-Do List will generate. This includes the required Iowa Child and Adult Abuse Registry form, which you will need to complete IMMEDIATELY to initiate the background check.
- After downloading the Iowa Child and Adult Abuse Registry form, follow the instructions to complete all fields, and sign and date the form. Do not electrically sign the form, as this will cause it to be rejected.
- Upload the fully completed, signed, and dated form. CastleBranch will submit the request to the state agency for you.
- DO NOT DELAY! Processing of the form can take one month or longer, and delays will jeopardize your ability to start classes and clinical rotations.
- CastleBranch will include due dates for each requested item. Please pay attention to these dates as they may update and change throughout the program. Emails will be sent to notify you of due dates.
- Scan and manually upload your documents to your CastleBranch account using the camera on your phone, the scanner in the Mercy College library, or directly using the CastleBranch app.
- Need further assistance?
CASTLEBRANCHAccount feeEMS, MLS, PTA, & RT Programs: $150 |
CASTLEBRANCHSERVICE DESKHOURS OF OPERATION: |
Questions about immunizations, titers, and where to get them? Take a look at our Clinical Requirement Resources!
How do I log in to CastleBranch?
You will receive a program-specific code when you are admitted. Once you have created and purchased your account with the correct program/cohort code, you will log in at DISA Login.
Who do I contact if I have questions about my CastleBranch?
If you have questions about your CastleBranch, you can contact CastleBranch Student Support at (888) 723-4263 or visit www.castlebranch.com/contact-us.
You can also contact Mercy College’s CastleBranch Team at castlebranch@mchs.edu.
What if I don’t have a social security number?
When purchasing CastleBranch, those without a Social Security number can use all 1’s (111-11-1111) to complete the form.
Where do I send my adult and child abuse forms?
Scan/take a photo of the form and upload it to your CastleBranch account.
When should I expect my background check results to be complete?
Please note that turnaround time will vary based on the specific items in your order. The review process can take up to 45 days to complete if there is a criminal conviction found on our report.
How often do I need to renew my Mandatory Reporter Certificate?
Every 3 years.
I was told I need to fill out a TB Questionnaire. Why?
If you have had a positive TB test, a clear chest x-ray and TB questionnaire will be needed. The purpose of the TB Questionnaire is to verify you are not having any current signs or symptoms of tuberculosis.
Through clinical experiences and other environmental exposures, you could have come into contact with someone carrying the disease. The clear chest x-ray and TB Questionnaire are necessary precautions for you and those you care for in the clinical setting.
Tuberculosis Questionnaire
Why does CastleBranch continue to reject my vaccination records?
Documentation is rejected by CastleBranch for many reasons. Here are some of the most common ones:
- Missing administration date or student name
- Missing signature from healthcare professional (when applicable)
- Wrong document uploaded
- Document is blurry/unreadable or blank
Where do I find the CPR class schedule?
You can find Mercy College’s CPR course schedule (through the Mercy College Training Center) here: Mercy College of Health Sciences Class Schedule and Registration. Use the code mchsstudent to receive a student discount. The phone number for the Mercy College Training Center is (515) 643-7491.
Why does CastleBranch continue to reject my TB test?
Make sure you have uploaded the appropriate TB test (1-step skin test, 2-step skin test, blood test, etc.). Make sure the documentation contains a date and time for the injections given, and a date, time, and signature for each time the results were read.
If you are uploading a 2-step TB skin test, be sure the two tests are within 1-3 weeks of each other.
If you are still unsure why your document is being rejected, please email castlebranch@mchs.edu with an explanation of the issue and the steps you’ve taken thus far.
How do I get my eCard?
Each student who successfully completes a CPR course with the Training Center is eligible to receive an eCard from their instructor or Training Center Coordinator.
eCard Notification
After being assigned an eCard, students will receive an e-mail notification from the American Heart Association (AHA) with a link to claim their eCard online.
“Claiming” an eCard
From there, students will need to review their student profile page to update and confirm their contact information, set up a security question, agree to the AHA’s standard Terms of Use, and complete a brief survey. They will then be able to view and print their eCard.
After “Claiming” the eCard
Students are able to access their eCard at any time once they have claimed the eCard by:
- Going to www.heart.org/cpr/mycards (via Google Chrome) to go to the “Student/Employer Search site”
- Entering their name and email address associated with the eCard to view their profile.
- From this screen, the student can view and print their eCard and update profile information.
What is the purpose of a 2-step TB test?
A 2-step TB test is required for students beginning a program to prove that they do not have active TB. The initial skin test could have a false negative. The second test needs to be administered 1-3 weeks after the initial test to ensure the student is in fact negative for TB.
These standards are based on guidance from the CDC and used widely to test those working in the healthcare community. Once students have had the 2-step TB test, a 1-step or specified blood test will be accepted for the renewal of the TB requirement.
What if I don’t know when I had my vaccinations for MMR?
If you are unsure of the dates of your MMR vaccinations, you will need to have a titer drawn to determine if you have appropriate immunity to work in a healthcare setting. If your titer comes back positive, this means you have immunity and will only need to upload the titer results to CastleBranch.
If your titer comes back negative or equivocal, you will need to complete a series of vaccinations to bring your immunity up, so you are able to work in a healthcare setting.
For adults receiving MMR vaccinations, you would complete the first vaccine as soon as possible, and a second vaccine would be done 28 days after the first one.
According to the CDC, if you will be working in a healthcare setting, getting both vaccinations is recommended to achieve adequate immunity.
If I had Varicella as a child, would I need to get the vaccinations?
If you had varicella as a child and can provide adequate documentation (including approximate dates and signature from a healthcare provider), then no vaccinations would be necessary. If you cannot provide documentation, please see the question below.
If I have had Varicella as a child but I don’t know when and/or I have no medical documentation about it, what do I need to do?
You would start by getting a titer done for the Varicella virus. If the titer came back positive, it would mean you have immunity, and you would upload the positive titer to CastleBranch. Additional vaccination(s) would not be needed.
If your titer came back equivocal or negative, you would need to start the vaccination series. The first vaccination should be done as soon as possible, and the second vaccination would be done 4 weeks after the first.
According to the CDC, those working in a healthcare setting should have both vaccinations to give appropriate immunity.
What is a titer and why do you require one if I don’t know the dates of my vaccinations?
For the purpose of CastleBranch/documentation, a titer is drawn to check your blood for a specific level of antibodies to a particular disease. The antibody level in your blood tells the healthcare provider if your body can fight the infection on its own with the antibodies it already has, or if a vaccination would be required to boost your antibody level, allowing you to fight disease.
My titer is negative or non-equivocal for Varicella how many vaccinations do I need to have?
If your titer came back non-equivocal or negative you would need to start the vaccination series. The first vaccination should be done as soon as possible and the second vaccination would be done 4 weeks from the first. According to the CDC those working in the healthcare setting should have both vaccinations to give appropriate immunity.
What if I don’t want to get a flu shot?
Unless you have a religious or medically documented reason for refusing to get the flu shot, you will need to have one to attend clinicals. Please remember that the flu shot is necessary to protect you and the visitors, patients, and staff you will be working with at the hospital.
You can pursue a medical or religious exemption here: Mercy College Vaccination Exemption Request
Please keep in mind that you are submitting an exemption request that may or may not be granted. Additionally, exemption requests require processing time (even more so when multiple requests are submitted for the same inquiry or are submitted last minute), so please be patient while waiting for a determination on your request.
Which CPR class do I need to take?
Here are the options for CPR certifications:
- American Heart Association (AHA) Healthcare Provider Basic Life Support (BLS)
- This is the certification offered by Mercy College.
- American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer
- American Red Cross CPR for Basic Life Support (BLS)
- American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI) Basic Life Support (BLS)
