Academic Handbook for the Healthcare Programs​

Part I. Purpose

The healthcare industries carry expectations of employees that are somewhat different than other employment industries. Graduates from the Southeast Technical College’s healthcare programs will be expected to have achieved specific competencies. They will be expected to perform these skills with a level of professionalism that will allow them to be effective team members in the professional environment. The policies outlined in this handbook in addition to Southeast Technical College student policies apply to all health program students and Southeast Technical College faculty regardless of the location where instruction occurs.

The policies in this handbook have been developed to assure students are prepared to enter the healthcare industry. If there is a policy in this handbook that is more stringent than the Southeast Technical College’s catalog, the Healthcare student handbook will take precedence. This handbook is not a contract, expressed or implied. Students will be expected to be familiar with and comply with all healthcare program policies. The faculty members will review this handbook with students each year. Updates and additions may be made to this handbook as approved by Southeast Technical College administration.

Part II. Code Of Ethics

The members of healthcare professions recognize their work has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life of all people. The services provided by healthcare workers require honesty, confidentiality, fairness, equality and dedication to protect the health, safety, welfare and comfort of the public they serve.

In the study, as well as the practice of their profession, healthcare workers must perform under a standard of professional behavior, which requires adherence to the highest principles of ethical conduct on behalf of the public, client, patient, employer, educational facility and the profession.

The Healthcare programs at Southeast Technical College will reinforce to students the importance of responsibility, attendance and respect for self and others. Healthcare programs will work to build character that keeps within the standards of healthcare professions. Students attending Healthcare programs are expected to comply with all pertinent state laws and take personal responsibility for their conduct. Southeast Tech policies authorize suspension or termination of any student for misconduct as outlined in the rules of this policy to include acts of dishonesty, including but not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, downloading, saving, or printing of tests or course documents without permission, working on assignments without permission, or other forms of dishonesty relating to academic achievement.

Accessing, printing, downloading, saving or distributing any other student’s work, including radiological scans, sonography scans, ECGs or any biographical or demographical data, etc., is strictly prohibited. Any images or data obtained from fellow students or patient volunteers are considered personal and confidential and are to be used only for educational purposes as directed within the designated Southeast Tech educational environment and may not be printed, downloaded, saved or distributed in any manner.

Part III. Social Media

REMEMBER THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A PRIVATE SOCIAL MEDIA SITE! Social networking has become an acceptable part of today’s society. Social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, blogs, YouTube, etc. provide opportunities for communication and collaboration. As a student in the healthcare field, you should understand the effects social media can have on you both personally and professionally. Be aware of your audience and mindful of what you are posting – use appropriate language and post only suitable photos. Be sure to critique photos you are tagged in. Think twice before posting and post in a professional manner. Social media sites are very public. Be cognitive of your digital footprint. How you represent yourself online should be an extension of how you represent yourself in person.

Inappropriate posting about any educational environment, experiences, fellow students, and/or Southeast Tech could be violations of HIPAA and FERPA. Students should not “friend” any faculty, preceptors, clinical instructors, and/or lab assistants while a student, unless specifically allowed by individual instructors for professional or academic purposes.

Part IV. Skills Required

Healthcare students should possess sufficient physical, motor, intellectual, emotional, social and communication skills to provide care and safety of patients/clients and the utilization of equipment. It is recommended that students tour an appropriate facility or career shadow if she or he has questions as to the skills required to perform the specific professional duties of their chosen profession.

Skills required in most Healthcare professions are outlined below.

Part V. Class Information

A. CLASS SCHEDULES

Students in defined programs are generally assigned to classes Monday through Friday. However, there may be additional evening and weekend classes that are required. These will be stated in the course syllabus. Mandatory participation in weekend events will be calculated into the lecture/lab ratio for credit hours. Hours for evening programs may require attendance as late as 9:50 p.m. and 12-hour shifts on Saturdays.

Examples of other activities outside of the normal schedule may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Clinical experiences such as additional scheduled hours or events
• Participation in community service events
• Educational conferences with outside speakers
• Southeast Tech potential student tours or open houses
• Job Fairs

B. OFF-CAMPUS EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS

Frequently, educational sessions are held off campus. These may include clinical rotations, lectures by specialists at their facility or professional conferences held at other sites. The course syllabus will describe how these sessions support the objectives of the course. Students are responsible for their own transportation to educational sessions held off campus. Travel time required to get to these sites is not included in class time. Whenever students are at sessions held off campus, it is expected that students will arrive on time, stay for the entire session, and conduct themselves professionally.

C. CHILDREN ON CAMPUS AND DAYCARE ARRANGEMENTS 

Southeast Tech’s policy regarding children on campus is as follows:

1. Children are not allowed on campus unless accompanied and supervised by an adult;
2. Children are not allowed in classrooms or laboratories unless for educational purposes with permission by the instructor;
3. Children must not be left unattended anywhere on campus, including but not limited to hallways, student lounge areas, the bookstore, the library, restrooms, offices, outside on the campus grounds or parking lots, or in vehicles.

Clinical rotations for Healthcare programs often start at 7 a.m. or earlier. Students need to make arrangements for daycare so as to meet the scheduling requirements of clinical rotations. Student schedules will be given as soon as they are available.

D. ATTENDANCE

Students are expected to follow Southeast Technical College’s attendance policy and/or program specific handbooks and syllabi. Students are expected to be in class or at the assigned clinical/practicum site on time and to remain for the entire class or shift. Tardy is any time after the designated start time. Three tardy arrivals will be considered an absence.

Regular attendance is expected. The consequences of absences may include a reduction in the letter grade or zeroes for daily work such as quizzes that cannot be made up and may result in a failing grade. Specific attendance expectations are included in the course syllabus.

Attendance at clinical is required. Students will not be able to reschedule mandatory clinical/practicum experiences and may receive a zero for those absences. Absence at a clinical/practicum rotation without calling to report to the instructor and also the clinical/practicum facility in advance of absence may result in disciplinary action as stated in the clinical/practicum rotation agreement.

If absent with personal or family illness of 3 days or more related to the same occurrence, an instructor may request a physician’s written verification of need for the absence and certification of ability to return to school.

Personal appointments and work schedules should not conflict with class times. If it is necessary to be absent, leave early or arrive late, arrangements should be made in advance with the appropriate instructor.

E. MAKE-UP WORK

The student is responsible to make arrangements for missed content. Missed tests must be taken according to individual course syllabus guidelines.

F. SCHEDULING LAB TIMES

Lab equipment is in high demand and used on a scheduled basis. A lab attendant must be in the lab monitoring students who are doing lab assignments.

G. HEALTHCARE PARTICIPATION LIABILITY 

Due to the procedures covered in and the physical participation requirements of the Healthcare Science labs, students and volunteers are required to sign release forms that provide the student with a description of the required lab experiences, student lab responsibilities, and/or release of liability to the institution.

H. ATTIRE

It is necessary that students project a professional image when they are in a lab, clinical or practicum setting. By maintaining a professional appearance, students will help to instill confidence in those they serve. Southeast Tech students are expected to be clean, well groomed, and appropriately dressed, reflecting the profession they are entering.

Details specific to each program will be listed in the corresponding syllabus.

• General guidelines for appearance and safety include, but are not limited to:
• Specific uniform required by program or clinical/practicum site
• Clean, neat, appropriately fitted conservative clothing
• Enclosed toe shoes in good repair
• Name tags worn at chest level
• Neat and clean hair of a natural color; avoid extreme hair styles
• Limited and conservative jewelry and cosmetics
• Limited exposed body piercing and tattoos
• Personal hygiene should limit body odor, including perfumes and colognes
• Smoke odor should not be detectable

Students who attend a lab, clinical or practicum session not in compliance of the dress code policy may be asked to leave and will be counted absent for that session. There may be additional guidelines based on specific program areas. See dress code guidelines included in the course syllabus.

I. CLASSROOM DRESS

Follow the guidelines of the Southeast Technical College Student Handbook. There may be additional guidelines based on specific program areas. See dress code guidelines included in the course syllabus.

J. CONFIDENTIALITY

Students are expected to conform to HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) guidelines. This would also include interaction with patient volunteers

Failure to follow HIPAA confidentiality guidelines may result in suspension or termination from the program. Please reference Part II Code of Ethics for additional information.

Part VI. Professional Physical Demands, Latex Allergies, and Immunization Record Requirements

A. PROFESSIONAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Each profession has specific physical demands. These are stated in the technical standards. Students not able to perform the essential job duties of a profession will not be allowed to go to clinical/practicum.

B. LATEX ALLERGIES

Students who have or develop a latex allergy while in a healthcare program may find it difficult to complete the program’s requirements. A latex-free environment cannot be guaranteed at Southeast Technical College or at any of our affiliate sites. Students with concerns should contact the appropriate program director and their healthcare provider to discuss the ramifications of a latex allergy.

C. IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS

Students enrolled in a Healthcare program at Southeast Technical College are required to provide proof of immunization for the following diseases:

• Tuberculosis (TB)
• Measles, Mumps and rubella (MMR)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)
• Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap)
• Hepatitis B (Hep B)
• Flu (Optional for Dental Assisting)
• COVID-19 (Not required for Medical Coding, Dental Assisting or Emergency Medical Technician course)

Please see additional details for each immunization requirement on the Physical/Immunization Form . All fees associated with obtaining appropriate records or bloodwork necessary to prove immunity are at the student’s expense.

D. OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Background Check
• Physical (Must be completed prior to start of program and repeated yearly.)
• Copy of health insurance card (Students must have health insurance while enrolled and throughout clinical experiences.)
• American Heart Association or American Red Cross Basic Life Support CPR Certified
  • Must be valid throughout clinical
  • Not a requirement for CNA or Medical Coding

All health students should send documentation of the above requirements to Health.Records@southeasttech.edu

All LPN/RN students should send documentation of the above requirements to Nursing.Records@southeasttech.edu

Part VII. Environmental Exposures

Quarterly radiation badges are assigned to students in specific programs that have labs in which they will be working with radiation. When students are at a clinical site, film badges will be provided. Radiation levels are monitored, and reports are maintained.

Due to the known hazards and risks associated with radiation, chemicals and/or environmental exposure and pregnancy, the clinical/practicum site must be informed by the student of pregnancy status so any necessary precautions from chemicals, radiation areas, etc. may be taken. Maintaining the health of the fetus is the responsibility of the student. Therefore, students who think they may be pregnant and have questions regarding necessary precautions when dealing with environmental exposures should speak with his/her instructors. Students who are pregnant and are involved in clinical/practicum that involve exposure to radiation/chemical exposure must provide written documentation from their healthcare provider that the student is able to safely participate in clinical/practicum activities.

Part VIII. Leave/Accommodation Policy

Regular attendance is expected in all classes, laboratory sessions and for all clinical experience hours. All assignments must be completed. It is the student’s responsibility to initiate the process for all accommodations. If a medical condition requires the student to be absent, extended medical leave may be available. in the event of an extended medical leave, including pregnancy-related leave, the student may be required to complete additional clinical/practicum hours if the student is unable to demonstrate the required skill/competency level. Student skill level will be assessed by the clinical instructor upon return from leave. The amount of time required to restore the student to the requisite skill/ competency level will be determined by the clinical instructor and program director.

Students will be allowed to participate in a clinical experience when they are able to safely perform the essential functions required of a healthcare professional, with or without accommodations. If the restrictions are imposed due to a medical condition, including pregnancy, written documentation of activity restriction must be provided by the student’s healthcare provider to the program director. illnesses or conditions requiring an absence of three days or more require a physician’s written verification to return to school.

When the student can return to performing the essential functions required of a healthcare professional with or without accommodation, the student will return to his/her assigned clinical/ practicum site to fulfill the required clinical/practicum hours, provided this has been agreed to by the affiliate site. in the event the student is unable to complete the clinical/practicum hours at the original site, another site will be found for placement of the student at the soonest possible time; however, this may require the student to move or experience a delay to fulfill the clinical/ practicum hours.

All didactic assignments required during the clinical/practicum semesters will be completed as regularly scheduled, unless the student has made other arrangements with his/her instructor.

Part IX. Sequencing of Classes and Clinical/Practicum Rotations

Classes for programs are scheduled in a sequential manner to best prepare students to be successful in their clinical assignments. If students are unable to complete a class in the semester of, or the semester immediately preceding, their clinical assignment, they may be asked to retake the appropriate class or classes in order to be eligible to participate in clinical.

Process of Assigning Location for Clinical/Practicum Rotations

Clinical/practicum sites for students are located across the United States. it is therefore necessary to have a process to determine clinical/practicum site assignments. STUDENTS WILL NOT BE GUARANTEED A CLINICAL/PRACTICUM LOCATION AND SHOULD BE OPEN TO RELOCATING FOR THEIR CLINICAL/PRACTICUM ASSIGNMENT. Each program clinical site process will be explained by program directors.

STUDENT WORKFORCE POLICY

All student activities associated with the curriculum, especially while students are completing clinical rotations, will be educational in nature. Unpaid students will not be substituted for hired staff personnel with the clinical institution.

Part X. Health and Accident Insurance Information

Students are responsible for their own insurance and medical expenses in case of an accident or injury that may happen at school. This also includes accidents that may happen in a lab setting. Examples include, but are not limited to, incidents such as needle sticks, lacerations or solution splashed into the eyes. Proof of health insurance is also a requirement of facilities where students will be doing clinical/practicum rotations.

PROCEDURE IN THE EVENT OF STUDENT INJURY AT CLINICAL SITE

Students on clinical/practicum rotations are covered under the Sioux Falls School District workers compensation plan if they are injured at their clinical site. If students are injured or exposed to hazardous materials while on their clinical rotation, they should follow the procedure listed below:

Please be sure and report the injury within three business days. Failure to report within three days could result in a loss of workers compensation coverage.

1. Contact the instructor in charge of your program as soon as possible after any injury.
2. Complete the Southeast Tech Student Incident form
3. Scan or Fax the Southeast Tech incident form to be reviewed and processed through the health office.                   Health Fax: 605-367-6108   Nursing Fax: 605-367-5724
4. Do NOT use personal insurance information at the emergency room or physician’s office for injuries or exposures that are related to your clinical/practicum experience. Tell the treatment facility that any insurance forms and bills will be handled through worker’s compensation of the Sioux Falls School District.
5. An email will be sent to the student with further instructions for follow up

All bills must clearly indicate the student’s name, and that the student is patient.

Send all bills to:   

 RAS

 PO Box 89310

 Sioux Falls, SD 57109

 Phone: 605-361-4142 or 800-732-1486

MEDICAL TREATMENT

1. For injuries, other than with body fluids from a patient, follow the facility’s procedure.
2. For needle sticks or other injuries that involve contaminated body fluids, blood needs to be drawn from the student, and the patient, at the same place. Proceed as follows:                  
   • If at Sanford Hospital, report to the Employee Health Office.
   • If at a hospital other than Sanford Health with an ER, report to the ER.
   • If at a clinical site without an ER, follow that facility’s protocol.

MEDICAL TREATMENT IF STUDENT IS EXPOSED TO BLOOD OR BODY FLUIDS (SUCH AS A NEEDLE STICK):

Treatment of exposure site:

Wounds and skin sites that have been in contact with blood or body fluids should be washed with soap and water; mucous membranes should be flushed with water. You do not have to use antiseptics for wound care. You should not apply caustic agents (such as bleach) or inject antiseptics or disinfectants into the wound.

Procedure after an exposure site:

After cleansing the area as above, students need to be seen as soon as possible at a clinic or an emergency room. Staff members at those sites should know the correct protocols for lab work to be done after a needle stick or other exposure.

Part XI. Student Complaint Process

Refer to the Southeast Tech catalog   for guidelines in the student appeal process.

Part XII. Drug-Free Environment

Refer to the Southeast Tech catalog  for guidelines on the drug free environment policy.

Part XIII. Criminal Background Checks and Drug Screening

BACKGROUND CHECKS

Criminal Background Checks are required for all Healthcare programs. These must be completed and be re-checked each year while enrolled and throughout the clinical process. Background checks must be completed and will only be accepted from Verified Credentials. The results of these checks and screenings may affect a student’s admission into the program, ability to attend a clinical or internship site, take specific courses, or continue the student’s enrollment in the program. If a student’s status changes due to a conviction (other than a minor traffic violation) or pending court action, after applying for the program but before going to clinical, the student must inform the Program Director and/or Health Records immediately. If a student fails to notify the Program Director and/or Health Records of this status change, they will be subject to disciplinary actions, which may lead up to termination from the program. Some clinical sites require their own background check prior to admittance to the clinical site. The cost of this additional check may or may not be covered by the clinical site. If the clinical site does not cover the cost, the student is responsible for the additional cost of this background check.

DRUG SCREENS

Drug screenings may be required for health students if a clinical affiliate has that requirement. Students will be notified if a site requires the drug screen, and will then have 30 days to complete the screen. Health students with a positive drug screen will need to retest within 30 days to obtain a negative result. Drug screen results must be directed to the Health Records office at STC. If a positive result occurs due to medication(s), a provider’s note is required. If students do not have a provider note and do not provide a negative drug screen, that student may not be allowed to complete necessary clinical hours. Clinical site reassignment will not be based solely on the drug screen requirement.

XIV. Satisfactory Academic Progress

Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress to remain in a program within the Healthcare divisions. The maximum number of applications, including re-applications to the same program, is two.

Satisfactory Didactic Progress:

• Maintaining a minimum of a C or higher in all program-specific courses.
• Students in programs that have didactic classes scheduled concurrently with clinical/practicum must maintain a C or higher in didactic classes to remain in clinical/practicum.
• Students should visit with instructors and utilize available tutor services if they are not achieving a C or higher in a class.
• An unsuccessful attempt of a health core course (designated by HC), program-specific prerequisite course, or a program-specific course will result in the student being removed from his/her program. The student will need to reapply for his/her program acceptance. If, however, a student subsequently meets course and program requirements and maintains published academic sequencing, the student may remain, with program director’s approval, in the program.
• Two unsuccessful attempts of the same health core course (designated by HC), or program-specific prerequisite course may result in the student being unable to reapply for the same program.
• Two unsuccessful attempts of one program-specific course (the same course twice) will result in the student not being allowed to reapply for the program.
• Two unsuccessful attempts of program specific courses (different courses even within the same semester) will result in the student not being allowed to reapply for the program.
• An unsuccessful attempt does include a “no-show” or early withdrawal.

Satisfactory Clinical Progress:

• For those programs in which students apply/draw for clinical/practicum site assignments, students not achieving a C or higher will not be allowed to apply/draw for clinical/practicum site assignments until they are achieving a C or higher. This may mean that the site the student prefers may be taken by the time the student is able to select a clinical/practicum site.
• Those students failing to maintain a C or higher may be removed from clinical/practicum and not be allowed to continue in the program. This will result in a failing grade in clinical.
• Students not performing satisfactorily in clinical/practicum may be removed from clinical/practicum and not be allowed to continue in the program. This will result in a failing grade in clinical. If these students are performing satisfactorily in their didactic courses, they may complete the didactic portion of their classes; however, they will not be allowed to complete the clinical/practicum portion of the program.
• If the student fails to meet the requirements in the clinical portion of their program, they will not be re-admitted to the program or similar programs.

Additional requirements:

• Students working under the professional license of an instructor or preceptor must meet the expectations of that instructor or preceptor for professional standards. These may be less measurable competencies relating to peer relations and communications, dependability, honesty, and attitude toward the profession of healthcare. If an instructor documents questionable student performance of professional standards, a meeting will be scheduled with the program director and administration to determine the status or terms for the student’s continued participation in the program. Depending on the severity of the violation, discipline may result; discipline will follow guidelines as listed in the Southeast Tech catalog.
• Working in a caring profession brings special responsibilities to the people being served. These responsibilities include reporting of peers who are impaired or who are behaving in an unsafe, unethical or illegal manner in either an on-campus or clinical experience.

Part XV. Program Readmission

• Students must meet all current entrance and academic requirements for the year in which they are reapplying.
• Acceptance and placement in a program may be limited by space available and will be determined based on the student’s academic effort, demonstrated clinical/lab/practicum skills, completion of recommendations for academic record, effort and demonstrated skills success. readmission into the program must have special approval by the instructor, program advisor and academic administrator.
• The maximum number of applications, including re-applications to the same program, is two.

Program Specific Handbooks

Paramedic Science

The Paramedic Science Handbook is meant to be a supplement to the Southeast Tech Catalog and Health Student Handbook. This handbook will go into more specific information for students in the following Paramedic Science program.

For these reasons, the rules, regulations, requirements and policies in the Paramedic Science have been developed to assure that students are prepared to enter that environment. If there is a rule, regulation, requirement, or policy in this handbook that is more stringent than the Southeast Tech General Catalog or Health and Human Services Division Student Handbook, the Paramedic Handbook will take precedence over them. This handbook is not a contract, expressed or implied. Students will be expected to be familiar with and comply with all Health and Human Services program policies and Paramedic Science policies.  The instructors will review this handbook with students each year.  Updates and additions may be made to this handbook as approved by Southeast Tech Administration.

Please see the Paramedic Science Handbook  for additional details.

Cardiovascular, Invasive and Vascular Technology

The Cardiovascular Policy Handbook is meant to be a supplement to the Southeast Tech Catalog and Health Student Handbook. This handbook will go into more specific information for students in the following Cardiovascular programs.

For these reasons, the rules, regulations, requirements and policies in the Cardiovascular Programs have been developed to assure that students are prepared to enter that environment. If there is a rule, regulation, requirement, or policy in this handbook that is more stringent than the Southeast Tech General Catalog or Health and Human Services Division Student Handbook, the Cardiovascular Policy Handbook will take precedence over them. This handbook is not a contract, expressed or implied. Students will be expected to be familiar with and comply with all Health and Human Services program policies and Cardiovascular policies.  The instructors will review this handbook with students each year.  Updates and additions may be made to this handbook as approved by Southeast Tech Administration.

Please see the Cardiovascular Policy Handbook  for additional details.

Diagnostic Medical Sonography

The Diagnostic Medical Sonography Handbook is meant to be a supplement to the Southeast Tech Catalog and Health Student Handbook. This handbook will go into more specific information for students in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program.

For these reasons, the rules, regulations, requirements and policies in the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program have been developed to assure that students are prepared to enter that environment. If there is a rule, regulation, requirement, or policy in this handbook that is more stringent than the Southeast Tech General Catalog or Health and Human Services Division Student Handbook, the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Handbook will take precedence over them. This handbook is not a contract, expressed or implied. Students will be expected to be familiar with and comply with all Health and Human Services program policies and Diagnostic Medical Sonography policies.  The instructors will review this handbook with students each year.  Updates and additions may be made to this handbook as approved by Southeast Tech Administration.

Please see the Diagnostic Medical Sonography Handbook   for additional details.

Registered Nurse

The Registered Nurse Handbook is meant to be a supplement to the Southeast Tech Catalog and Health Student Handbook. This handbook will go into more specific information for students in the Registered Nurse program.

For these reasons, the rules, regulations, requirements and policies in the Registered Nurse program have been developed to assure that students are prepared to enter that environment. If there is a rule, regulation, requirement, or policy in this handbook that is more stringent than the Southeast Tech General Catalog or Health and Human Services Division Student Handbook, the Registered Nurse Handbook will take precedence over them. This handbook is not a contract, expressed or implied. Students will be expected to be familiar with and comply with all Health and Human Services program policies and Registered Nurse policies.  The instructors will review this handbook with students each year.  Updates and additions may be made to this handbook as approved by Southeast Tech Administration.

Please see the Registered Nurse Handbook  for additional details.

Additional Program Forms  

• Academic/Clinical Health Program Agreement   
• Acknowledgement Form  
• Background re-check form  
• Criminal Background Questionnaire  
• Invasive Procedure Release  
• Lab Expectations and Rules  
• Physical Form/Immunization Form  
• Program Agreement for Healthcare Form  
• Release of Information Health Records Authorization   
• Release of Information Instructor Authorization Form