What clearances and immunizations might my site require?

Onboarding requirements depend on the kind of site. A clinic or hospital usually asks for much more than a policy nonprofit, and some sites working with children or vulnerable adults require extra screening.

Requirements you may see

• Criminal background check, sometimes with fingerprinting.
• Child abuse or elder abuse clearances at sites that serve those groups.
• TB screening, through a skin test or blood test.
• Immunization records, often including MMR, hepatitis B, varicella, Tdap, and a seasonal flu shot. Some sites ask for titers as proof of immunity.
• Drug screening at some health care and government sites.
• Training modules such as HIPAA, confidentiality, or human subjects research training.
• Badge photos, ID forms, and IT access paperwork.

How to keep it from delaying your start

Ask your site contact and practicum coordinator for the complete list as soon as you accept, then start everything at once. Screenings can run on different timelines, and one slow result can hold up your start date. Background check delays walks through what to do when that happens.

Who pays?

It varies. Some sites cover costs, some programs reimburse students, and sometimes students pay. Ask both your program and your site before you schedule anything.

Can I reuse old clearances?

Sometimes. Recent clearances from the same state may be accepted, but many organizations require their own. Ask rather than assume. Compliance trainings usually need to be repeated for each site, though some research certifications carry over, as HIPAA training and compliance explains.

Keep digital copies of every clearance and certificate. You may need them again for a future placement or job.