Immunizations – Medical Assisting

Students in the Medical Assisting program may be required to obtain the following immunizations:

Proof of immunizations may be required and will be verified as complete prior to the student being permitted to enter any externship site (whether for the assigned course activities or for orientation at the externship site prior to the course start). 

Students will be provided information about the local resources for obtaining the immunizations if they have not had the required immunizations or do not have acceptable immunization documentation.

Where the campus has an affiliation with a healthcare center for immunizations, the expectation is the student will use the center. Students may choose to obtain immunizations from another healthcare provider. However, immunization documentation must include specific information about the type of healthcare provider and the immunizations administered and/or verified.

Failure to provide the required documentation no later than 10 business days prior to the start of 1^st externship session may result in suspension from the externship portion of the program. No student will be permitted to enter an externship site without having satisfied the requirement for immunization documentation. Students unable to participate in scheduled externship sessions will be recorded as absent and may potentially risk failure of the entire course.

Immunization requirements are generally based on the current recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for health-care workers and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP). Externship agencies may have additional health clearance and immunization requirements beyond the current recommendations outlined by the CDC or College policy. The College has identified a standard immunization policy but reserves the right to require additional healthcare clearance assessment, documentation, immunization, and serology testing at any point throughout the enrollment of the program. In addition, immunizations and health requirements may change without notice and students may be required to provide verifiable documentation of their ability to meet new requirements. Failure to meet this requirement may result in failure to progress in the program. Students may be responsible for the cost of any additional requirements. 

Students are not permitted to participate in any externship experience if their immunizations do not meet the standards outlined in this document or those required by specific externship agencies.

Serological Evidence of Immunity

• COVID-19 Vaccination 
  A COVID-19 vaccination may be required for students to permit them to go into a hospital-based externship medical practice.

• Hepatitis B Vaccine
  Students must demonstrate serological evidence of immunity to hepatitis B. For previously vaccinated individuals, serological testing must indicate immunity against hepatitis B. For those who have not been previously vaccinated, a series of three vaccines must be completed. If the student does not have proof of titers, he/she must submit documented proof of receiving the first vaccination within the first week of admission. The second vaccination is to be given one month after receiving the first vaccination. The third vaccination is to be given approximately five months after the second. Proof of the first administration must be provided in order to participate in any agency-based externship rotations.

  The student must submit documented proof of completing the hepatitis B series six months from receiving the first hepatitis B vaccination. Documented serological evidence of protection against hepatitis B (positive serology titer) must be provided two months following the third vaccination for those individuals undergoing initial vaccination.

  For non-responders or those who have not completed the series of hepatitis B vaccination, the individual should be considered susceptible to HBV and should be counseled regarding precautions and prevention methods to reduce exposure. Individuals may need to obtain HBIG prophylaxis for any known or probable exposure to hepatitis B (HBsAg) surface antigen positive blood.

  For all non-responders or individuals exempt from hepatitis B vaccination based on a valid healthcare provider recommendation, a vaccination waiver must be on file. Any individual who has not completed the hepatitis B vaccination series and final serologic testing indicating immunity must maintain a vaccination waiver on file. Students assume all risk and expenses associated with potential exposure during an externship experience. Expense may also include testing of the patient in the event of exposure.

• Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR)
  Students should have received two doses of live measles and mumps vaccines given on or after the first birthday, separated by 28 days or more and at least one dose of live rubella vaccine in their lifetime.

  Individuals must submit proof of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella through serology testing or laboratory confirmation of the disease.

  If serology results indicate that the individual is not immune or serological test results indicate “indeterminate” or “equivocal,” individuals should be considered non-immune, and additional MMR vaccination may be required in accordance with current CDC recommendations/guidelines. Students are required to provide documentation to the College and maintain compliance with the immunization and health clearance policy. Failure to complete required vaccinations, serology testing and/or provide documentation in a timely fashion, may result in program dismissal.

• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
  Students must submit proof of varicella immunity by providing documented serology evidence of immunity against varicella or laboratory confirmation of the disease. If serology results indicate the individual is not immune, varicella vaccination is required in accordance with current CDC recommendations/ guidelines (two doses of varicella vaccine, four weeks apart). Students are required to provide required documentation to the College and maintain compliance with the immunization and health clearance policy. Failure to complete required vaccinations, serology testing and/or provide documentation in a timely fashion, may result in program dismissal.
   
• Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis (Td/Tdap)
  Students must provide proof of vaccination for tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis within the past 10 years. If no documentation is presented, vaccination is required. Evidence of one time Pertussis vaccination is required. A one-time dose of Tdap is required for all students who have not received Tdap previously. A Td booster should be documented every 10 years thereafter. Students are required to provide documentation to the College and maintain compliance with the immunization and health clearance policy.
   
• Seasonal Influenza
  Students must provide documented evidence that one dose of influenza vaccine is received annually. Students are required to provide required documentation to the College and maintain compliance with the immunization and health clearance policy.
   

• Tuberculosis/Tuberculin Skin Test (TST)
  Students are not permitted to practice in any externship, laboratory, or classroom activities with active or suspected tuberculosis disease. All students are required to undergo initial and annual tuberculosis screening while enrolled in a program.

  For students with no history of previous annual tuberculin skin testing (TST), an initial two-step is required. For those students with previous annual and/or current TST (within the past 364 days) who provide evidence by documentation, only a current one-step TST is required. A current one-step TST is valid and may be accepted by the College only if completed within the past 90 days and can be verified through an appropriately credentialed healthcare provider.

  Initial Two-Step TB Skin Test:

  • Step #1 TB skin test administered and read within 48-72 hours.
  • Step #2 TB skin test is administered 7 to 14 days after the 1st test, and it is read within 48-72 hours.
  • Annual TST.
     

  One-Step TB Skin Test (for students with evidence of previous screening within the past 364 days):

  • Step #1 TB skin test administered and read within 48-72 hours.
  • Annual TST.
     

  After the initial two-step TST, annual tuberculosis screening and TST is required each year the student is enrolled in a program. Students must provide documented evidence of compliance to the College. The annual tuberculosis screening will include a questionnaire and tuberculin skin test.

  For students with a history of a positive TST, they must complete a questionnaire, have a post treatment or symptom negative chest x-ray free of active pulmonary disease, and be currently free of any symptoms. An annual tuberculin skin testing is not required for previous TB positive students. A repeat or annual chest x-ray is not required unless the questionnaire or symptoms suggest further evaluation. A negative chest x-ray result must be no older than 2 years for health clearance and must document “no evidence of active pulmonary disease” by an appropriately credentialed healthcare provider.

  If an annual TST is read as a new positive, documentation of a negative chest x-ray report documenting “no evidence of active pulmonary disease” must be provided. The student will not be permitted to participate in externship experiences until this requirement is satisfied and health clearance has been provided by an appropriately credentialed healthcare provider in the management of pulmonary and/or tuberculosis disease.

  Students with a history of vaccination of Bacilli Calmette-Guerin (BCG) must complete required initial and annual screening and TST testing. In the event of a positive TST for those who received BCG, students are required to provide documented evidence of a negative chest x-ray reporting “no evidence of active pulmonary disease.” Students with a history of BCG vaccination are not exempt from annual TB screening.

  A negative QuantiFERON-TB Gold test (QFT-G) or other Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved TB blood test may be accepted in the place of a TST or chest x-ray. Both results must be within the past 90 days prior to the first week of the Semester/Quarter in which the student initially enrolls in a program.

  Students who demonstrate a positive TST, QuantiFERON-TB Gold test (QFT-G) or other Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved TST, or positive pulmonary disease on a chest x-ray, will not be permitted to participate in externship experiences until cleared from an appropriately credentialed healthcare provider in the management of pulmonary and/or tuberculosis disease.

Students in the Medical Assisting program must either present documentation of having had Hepatitis B injections 1 and 2 and a TB test within an acceptable timeframe or must complete the first two Hepatitis B injections and a TB test at least one quarter prior to the term in which they take any externship course. If the TB test result is positive, a chest X-ray test must be completed.

If there are any questions regarding these requirements, students should make an appointment to speak with the Program Director and/or Dean of Education.