If a student has an accident, injury, or exposure, please follow the guidelines provided and complete the corresponding form(s) that apply.
 

Download Accident, Injury, and Exposure Guidelines     Download Accident, Injury, and Exposure Forms

Once students are admitted to one of the Healthcare Education programs, they will undergo a background check clearance that includes the following:

• A check of the List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE) database
• An identification check
• A drug screening

Students must also complete the Health and Safety form as requirements for enrollment in nursing courses. Other background checks may be required per healthcare agency contracted with Maricopa Community Colleges. Any costs associated with such checks are the responsibility of the student.

If you would like to perform a self-assessment first, see these instructions. Students who have been admitted to a Healthcare Education program are required to sign a Maricopa Community Colleges Criminal Background Check Disclosure Acknowledgement form.

If a student receives a failed background check or believes they may receive a failed background check. It may be helpful to research Arizona laws that allow for "setting aside" of prior convictions under certain circumstances and also Arizona laws that allow for "expungement," which is the sealing of criminal records.

Overview of the Requirements

In order for students to be admitted to or maintain enrollment in good standing in Maricopa County Community College District's ("MCCCD") Allied Health and Nursing programs ("Programs"), students must provide with their application to a Program all of the following:

• A copy of an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level-One Fingerprint Clearance Card ("Card"). Students are required to pay the cost of applying for the Card. Cards that are NOT Level-One status will not be accepted.
• An original version of the "Criminal Background Check Disclosure Acknowledgement" form attached to this Summary signed by the student.

At all times during enrollment in a Program, students must obtain and maintain BOTH a valid Level-One Fingerprint Clearance Card and passing disposition on supplemental background check performed by MCCCD authorized vendor. Admission requirements related to background checks are subject to change as mandated by clinical experience partners

Implementation of the Requirements

1. Students that are denied issuance of a Card may be eligible for a good cause exception through the Arizona Department of Public Safety. It is the student's responsibility to seek that exception directly with the department. Until the student obtains a Card and meets the other requirements for admission, he or she will not be admitted to a Program.
2. Students admitted to a Program whose Card is revoked or suspended must notify the Program Director immediately and the student will be removed from the Program in which they have been admitted or are enrolled. Any refund of funds would be made per MCCCD policy.
3. The Criminal Background Check Disclosure Acknowledgement directs students to disclose on the data collection form of the MCCCD authorized background check vendor all of the requested information as well as any information that the background check may discover. Honesty is important as it demonstrates character. Lack of honesty will be the basis for denial of admission or removal from a Program if the information that should have been disclosed but was not would have resulted in denial of admission. Failure to disclose other types of information constitutes a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and may be subject to sanctions under that Code. Students have a duty to update the information requested on the [background check vendor] data collection form promptly during enrollment in a Program. The [background check vendor] data collection form may ask for the following information but the form may change from time to time:
   • Legal Name
   • Maiden Name
   • Other names used
   • Social Security Number
   • Date of Birth
   • Arrests, charges or convictions of any criminal offenses, even if dismissed or expunged, including dates and details.
   • Pending criminal charges that have been filed against you including dates and details.
   • Participation in a first offender, deferred adjudication or pretrial diversion or other probation program or arrangement where judgment or conviction has been withheld.

The authorized MCCCD background check vendor will be asked to pass or fail each student based on the standards of MCCCD's clinical experience partners that have established the most stringent requirements. The sole recourse of any student who fails the background check and believes that failure may have been in error is with the background check vendor and not MCCCD.

For persons wishing to enroll in a Program the person must meet the following standards:

• Possession of a valid Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card. Students who currently possess a DPS Card that is another level will not be allowed entrance into a health care program. Students are required to pay the cost of obtaining this background check. If the Level-One Fingerprint Clearance Card is revoked or suspended at any time during the admission process or while enrolled in a MCCCD healthcare program a student must notify the Program Director immediately and he or she will be removed from the Program. Please see the "Frequently Asked Questions" sheet for details regarding the DPS Card.
• Each student must provide documentation that he or she has completed and "passed" a MCCCD-supplemental background check through the approved vendor American DataBank. Students are required to pay the cost of obtaining this background check. Students whose background checks are more than six months old on the date of beginning a healthcare program must obtain an updated background check. Students who have been in a Program for more than 12 months may be requested to obtain an updated background check. Please see the attached "Frequently Asked Questions" sheet for more details regarding the MCCCD supplemental-background check.
• The MCCCD supplemental or the clinical agency background check may include but are not limited to the following:
  • Nationwide Federal Healthcare Fraud and Abuse Databases
  • Social Security Verification
  • Residency History
  • Arizona Statewide Criminal Records
  • Nationwide Criminal Database
  • Nationwide Sexual Offender Registry
  • Homeland Security Search
• By virtue of the MCCCD supplemental background check, students will be disqualified for admission to a program or continued enrollment in a program based on their criminal offenses, the inability to verify their Social Security number, or their being listed in an exclusionary database of a Federal Agency or on a sex offender registry. Offenses that will lead to a "fail" on the supplemental background check may include but are not limited to:
  • Social Security Search-Social Security number does not belong to applicant
  • Any inclusion on any registered sex offender database
  • Any inclusion on any of the Federal exclusion lists or Homeland Security watch list
  • Any conviction of Felony no matter what the age of the conviction
  • Any criminal arrest warrant in any state
• Any misdemeanor conviction for the following-No matter age of crime
  • violent crimes
  • sex crime of any kind including non consensual sexual crimes and sexual assault
  • murder, attempted murder
  • abduction
  • assault
  • robbery
  • arson
  • extortion
  • burglary
  • pandering
  • any crime against minors, children, vulnerable adults including abuse, neglect, exploitation
  • any abuse or neglect
  • any fraud
  • aggravated DUI
• Any misdemeanor controlled substance conviction last 7 years (as defined in 21 U.S.C. § 802)
• Any other misdemeanor convictions within last 2 years, except for non-DUI traffic violations
• Exceptions: Any misdemeanor traffic (DUI is not considered Traffic)
• At all times students are in a program they must maintain BOTH a valid Level-One Fingerprint Clearance Card and passing disposition on the MCCCD supplemental background check performed by the MCCCD-authorized vendor.
• Admission requirements related to background checks are subject to change without notice.
• Some clinical agencies may require additional components of a criminal background check, other than those required by MCCCD, as well as a drug screening. Students are required to pay for any and all criminal background checks and drug screens required by a clinical agency to which they are assigned
• Even though a student possesses a valid DPS Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card and has passed the MCCCD supplemental background check, a clinical agency may decline to place a student due to information the clinical agency obtains in a background check it requires.
• If a clinical agency to which a student has been assigned does not accept the student based on his or her criminal background check, the student may not be able to complete the program.
• MCCCD may, within its discretion, disclose to a clinical agency that a student has been rejected by another clinical agency.
• MCCCD has no obligation to make attempts to place a student when the reasons for lack of placement are criminal background check issues. Since clinical agency assignments are critical requirements for completion of the program, inability to complete required clinical experience due to a student's criminal background check will result in removal from the program.

The COVID-19 vaccine is optional for students. If you choose to receive the vaccine, you may upload your vaccination record as proof of immunization. Acceptable documentation includes:

• Proof of a two-dose series of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine OR
• Proof of single-dose Johnson & Johnson Janssen vaccine OR
• Proof of a single-dose Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna Bivalent vaccine OR
• Upload a copy of your signed COVID-19 declination if required by the facility

Note: All documentation is required to have the student’s full name, date of administration, manufacturer, and Healthcare Professional or Clinic Site.  Annual vaccination and/or renewal are not determined at this time.

Health and safety requirements are subject to change without notice, depending on clinical agency requirements.

Typically, CPR requirements may be met in one of the following ways:

1. Successfully complete Maricopa Community Colleges course HCC109 (or equivalent Maricopa Community Colleges cross-referenced CPR course
2. Have a current and valid American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR Certification, which includes AED

Due to the standards of their accreditation agencies and clinical partners many of our programs require that the CPR training taken by their students be certified by the American Heart Association. Check with the program you are applying to for its most current requirements.

Drug Screening Policy

• All healthcare students are required to submit to a pre-clinical urine drug screen according to the policy of the specific Healthcare Program.
• Students will be expected to follow the guidelines and timeline provided to them by your program. The drug screen will be random, and the student will be expected to pay at the time of order. Private health insurance will not pay for this screening.
• Students will receive information from the program with steps to place an order with the contracted vendor. The program will identify the time frame the student has to complete the urine drug screening.
• Once the order is placed, the vendor will provide a receipt upon payment. The student will receive an authorization form. The authorization form will be needed when performing the test. This form will include the student’s name, college name, program designation, and program account number. If the form is not taken to the collection site, the student will not be able to complete the urine drug screening, and a new order will have to be placed at an additional cost.
• The student will then have to complete the drug screening at the outlined timeline. It is important that students understand that they may not take a prescription to the lab to be evaluated during the testing process. The student will provide a list of the prescriptions they are currently taking as needed.
• Positive drug screens are referred to the Medical Review Officer (MRO), who will contact the student.
• The Program Director or designee will receive all results once the review is completed. The student will be able to see the results in the contracted vendor’s system.
• If a student provides a dilute sample which tests positive, the result is considered positive and pending MRO review, the student will be withdrawn. A negative dilute specimen will require a retest at an additional cost to the student.
• If a student would like to challenge a positive result, they would need to work directly with the Medical Review Office (MRO). When challenging a positive result only the original sample can be retested. The student is responsible for the cost of the retest and dispute.

If You Are Enrolled in an Allied Health Program

• If the MRO determines there are safety sensitive issues or concerns related to the student’s drug profile further evaluation will be required. Students may be on temporary exclusion from the program until the evaluation is complete.
• Students testing positive for drugs that are illegal substances, non‐prescribed legal substances, or students deemed unsafe for the clinical setting by the MRO will not be permitted to attend allied health didactic and clinical courses. Students who are licensed or certified in a health profession by the State of Arizona and test positive for these drugs will be reported to their respective Boards.
• Students will NOT be allowed to use previous drug screens requested by any person or agency outside the Maricopa Community Colleges to meet these requirements. It is at the Program Directors discretion to accept any drug screening completed from another Maricopa Community Colleges program or campus as long as the student has been continuously enrolled.
• Students failing to test during the date and time documented on the Drug Testing Letter do not meet the requirement for drug testing and may be withdrawn from all Allied Health courses. In the event of a withdrawal being made from classes, students may invoke their rights under the Maricopa Community Colleges Student Conduct Code. The student will be contacted by the program with next steps.

If You Are Enrolled in a Nursing Program

• Only students receiving negative drug screens can remain enrolled in nursing courses. Reports from the MRO of safety issues/concerns related to the drug profile will require further evaluation. Students may be on temporary exclusion from the program until evaluation is complete.
• Students testing positive for illegal substances, non-prescribed legal substances, or deemed unsafe for the clinical setting by the MRO will not be permitted to attend nursing courses. All positive results except cotinine (nicotine), and alcohol, resulting in dismissal are reported to the Arizona State Board of Nursing.
• Students will not be allowed to use previous drug screens requested by any person or agency outside of MaricopaNursing.
• Students failing to test during the designated date and time do not meet the If the student does not meet the negative drug screening criteria, the student will be contacted by the program with next steps.requirement for drug testing and will be withdrawn from all nursing courses.

Medical Marijuana Policy

• Maricopa Community Colleges prohibit the possession and use of marijuana on all campuses and in all off-campus student activities, including internships and clinical learning experiences in health programs. This policy is dictated by Arizona Revised Statutes § 15-108, which prohibits any person, including a medical marijuana cardholder or recreational user, from possessing, distributing, or using marijuana on the campus of any public university, college, community college, or post-secondary education institution, regardless of the decriminalization of marijuana in Arizona. Federal legislation prohibits any institution of higher education that receives federal funding from allowing the possession and use of marijuana on campus or at any college/district-related activity or event.
• Maricopa Community Colleges receives federal funds through grants and federal student aid (financial aid). Maricopa Community Colleges continue to enforce current policies regarding controlled substances, and any student or employee who violates university policy prohibiting the use, distribution, or possession of illegal drugs on campus or in student activities—including educational internships—will be subject to disciplinary action and criminal prosecution.
• Urine drug screens are required of students prior to attending any healthcare courses, including clinical experiences. Medical marijuana, or its metabolite, is not an accepted substance in urine drug screens and will result in a positive urine drug screen. Students with a prescription for medical marijuana would not be considered exempt from urine drug screening.
• All placements governed by this clinical placement/externship agreement are hereby identified as safety-sensitive positions where the health and safety of the populations served are at issue.
   

See Drug Screening Best Practices

All students enrolled in any of the Allied Health or Nursing programs at Maricopa Community Colleges must have a Fingerprint Clearance Card to continue in their area of study. See the Arizona Department of Public Safety website.

Fingerprint clearance is required to work and care for children, the elderly, and any vulnerable adult. Our contracts with clinical agencies are including this fingerprint requirement, so students must complete this requirement in order to attend any of the health programs.

The level 1/Regular Application option for Maricopa County Community College students is Health Science Students and Clinical Assistants.
 

See Fingerprint Clearance Card Instructions
 

Additional Information

• Proof of fingerprint clearance from the FBI generally takes 4-6 weeks, and may take up to 8 weeks
• The fingerprint clearance card is valid for six years; the card cannot expire before you graduate and a copy must be provided to your Program Director for their records
• You will need to provide proper identification in order to be fingerprinted; acceptable forms of identification include drivers license, state-issued ID card, Passport, or Resident Alien card (note: school ID is not acceptable)
• The fingerprint clearance card required for all health programs at the Maricopa Community Colleges will not meet the requirements for certification or licensure through the Arizona State Board of Nursing and may not meet the requirements of other professional organizations; contact the appropriate health professions licensing board for details

For specific questions regarding Fingerprint Clearance Card eligibility, please contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety at 602-223-2279 or visit their website.

Precluding offenses may be found in A.R.S.41–1758.03, subsections B and C.

Maricopa Community Colleges does not require students to provide proof of vaccination to enroll in its colleges or programs, but certain clinical partners may require adherence to vaccination protocols. 
As is outlined in Arizona Revised Statutes 15-1650.05, students participating in clinical settings at a healthcare institution licensed under A.R.S. Title 36 which includes hospitals, nursing care institutions, residential care institutions, intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF-IID), group homes, or other medical facilities may be required to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination and be subject to regular health screening and testing as determined by the healthcare institutions. (See Arizona Revised Statutes 15-1650.05). 

Maricopa County Community College District will require all Allied Health and Nursing students to show proof of vaccination in order to ensure compliance with our clinical partner's health and safety requirements. Students must be in compliance with the immunization processes and procedures of the Healthcare Program in which they are enrolled. The program will provide students with health requirements applicable to that program and the deadline by which students must submit proof of meeting such requirements. Individuals should consult with their physician regarding necessary and available vaccinations.
MCCCD cannot provide accommodation in the clinical setting and cannot force our clinical partners to provide accommodations to students. Students may be able to decline a vaccine due to religious beliefs or for medical reasons by following the clinical partner’s declination or accommodation process, if the clinical partner has one. If you are unsure if the facility where you have been placed provides accommodations, please visit myClinicalExchange (mCE) to confirm and obtain directions for requesting accommodations from the site.

The Maricopa Community College programs will try to assist students who decline required vaccinations due to religious beliefs or medical reasons with clinical placement in an effort to provide clinical experiences necessary for the completion of the program. However, declination may limit the availability of clinical placements in a given semester and/or may delay or prevent a student’s ability to graduate. 

Students will be responsible for the cost of completion for all immunization requirements. The following is a description of immunizations that may be required and the type of documentation that a student would have to provide to verify the requirements have been met. (See Exhibit B Health and Safety Documentation) If there is a communicable disease outbreak, additional vaccinations may be required as specified by the local public health agency. Proof of all immunizations and tuberculin skin tests should be copied and submitted to the third-party verification system.

Health and Safety requirements are subject to change without notice, depending on clinical agency requirements. If the requirements change due to our agreements with our clinical facilities, you will be notified and will be required to meet the changes in requirements.
 

• Maricopa Nursing Health and Safety Checklist
• Allied Health Health and Safety Checklist