Northern Illinois University
School of Allied Health and Communicative Disorders
College of Health and Human Sciences

Deadline: Graduate students must be in compliance with all clinical requirements before July 1.

Criminal Background Check

A criminal background check that is compliant with the standards of the Illinois Healthcare Workers Background Check Act is required for progression in the program. You will be given specific instructions on how to obtain this background check upon acceptance. Certain sites or specific circumstances may require subsequent background checks at your expense.

First Aid and CPR

Only American Heart Association BLS certification for healthcare providers will be accepted.

Immunizations/Vaccinations

COVID-19

COVID-19 vaccinations are required. COVID-19 vaccinations need to be up to date with CDC recommendations.

MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

• Two (2) vaccines or
• Positive quantitative antibody titer for all three components (lab report required).

Varicella/Chicken Pox

• Two vaccinations or
• Positive quantitative antibody titer (lab report required).

Hepatitis B

Documentation of 3 series Hepatitis B vaccinations and a positive quantitative antibody titer with results. If quantitative antibody titer is negative, student receives Hepatitis B booster and then re-titers to check for immunity. If student still shows negative immunity after 3 boosters, student is considered non-responder and must fill out Acknowledgement of Risk Form.

Influenza (flu) Vaccine

Documentation of a flu vaccine administered during the current flu season (August-May).

Tuberculosis (TB)

Negative Two Step TB Skin test or negative QuantiFERON Gold Blood test. If student has positive two step skin tests, they must provide a negative QuantiFERON Gold Blood test or a chest xray and clearance form from a physician.

Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap)

• Submit documentation of a Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccination, administered within the past 10 years.
• The renewal date will be set for 10 years from the date administered.
• Upon renewal, a Tdap or Td booster is acceptable.

Physical Exam

• Submit your physical exam (completed on the school form) within the past 12 months and signed by a medical professional.
• Please see your school coordinator for physical exam form.

Proof of Health Insurance

One of the following is required:

• Current health insurance card or proof of coverage from your provider.

Both sides of your health insurance card must be submitted for approval.

• If the name on the insurance card does not match the name on file, submit proof of coverage from your provider showing that you are covered under the insurance policy.
• If your coverage changes, please call Castlebranch to reopen this requirement and submit new proof of coverage.

HIPAA Training

Submit documentation of your HIPAA training completion certificate from orientation to this requirement.

OSHA/BBP Compliance Training

Submit documentation of your Bloodborne Pathogens and Universal Precautions training completion certificate from orientation to this requirement.

Clinical Coordinator

Conact Danica Billingsly, clinical coordinator, at dbillingsly@niu.edu.

Deadline: Graduate students are required to complete clinical requirements before the start of the summer semester, with the exception of the annual flu vaccine.

Criminal Background Check

A criminal background check that is compliant with the standards of the Illinois Healthcare Workers Background Check Act is required for progression in the program. You will be given specific instructions on how to obtain this background check upon acceptance. Certain sites or specific circumstances may require subsequent background checks at the student's expense.

Drug Screen

Students in the DPT program may be required to submit a clean 10-panel drug screen in order to progress in the program depending on the clinical site. Students will be instructed on how and where to obtain this drug screen upon acceptance into the program. Certain sites or certain circumstances could require students to have to repeat this drug screen, at the student's expense.

First Aid and CPR

• Proof of current CPR certification will need to be provided.
• Only the American Heart Association BLS Provider CPR Certification will be accepted. The exact month/date/ year of the course must be noted on the card.
• On-line re-certifications are not accepted.

Immunizations/Vaccinations

COVID-19

COVID-19 vaccinations are required. COVID-19 vaccinations need to be up to date with CDC recommendations.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella

Accepted evidence: documentation of two (2) doses of the vaccine given four (4) weeks apart or documentation of a positive antibody titer.

Varicella (Chicken Pox)

Accepted evidence: documentation of two (2) doses of the vaccine given four (4) weeks apart or documentation of a positive antibody titer.

Hepatitis B

Documentation of 3 series Hepatitis B vaccinations and a positive quantitative antibody titer with results. If quantitative antibody titer is negative, student receives Hepatitis B booster and then re-titers to check for immunity. If student still shows negative immunity after 3 boosters, student is considered non-responder and must fill out Acknowledgement of Risk Form.

Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) Vaccine or Booster

Documentation of a Tdap vaccine or booster within the last 10 years is required. An immunization record is sufficient.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Negative Two Step TB Skin test or negative QuantiFERON Gold Blood test. If student has positive two step skin tests, they must provide a negative QuantiFERON Gold Blood test or a chest xray and clearance form from a physician.

Influenza (flu) Vaccine

Must be administered between Aug. and Nov. 1 for the current flu season. Documentation of the flu shot MUST be dated with the current year.

Physical Exam

A physical exam by an M.D., N.P. or D.O. verifying adequate health to work with patients in a healthcare setting must be completed within the past six months. Submit your physical exam (completed on the school form) within the past 12 months and signed by a medical professional.

Other

HIPAA training, OSHA certification, handbook acknowledgement and confidentiality statement will be completed upon arrival to campus.

Proof of Health Insurance

• Provide a copy of both sides of your current health insurance card or proof of coverage.
• If name on documentation does not match the name on file, verification of coverage from your insurance provider is required.

Directors of Clinical Education

Contact Sarah Greenhagen at sgreenhagen@niu.edu

Contact Christy Zeiss at czeiss@niu.edu

Deadline for Completion of Requirements

Requirements should be completed by July 1.

Criminal Background Check

You will complete a total of three (3) background checks:

• Through Castle Branch
• State background check (see attached IL State background form document)
• Federal background check (see attached FBI background form document)

You will complete the state and federal checks at an Accurate Biometrics location. Use the Accurate Biometrics website to put in your zip code to find an Accurate Biometric location closest to you and that is open.

Illinois State Background Check Form

This is the state background check. Following completion, please email hhsclinicals@niu.edu to schedule an appointment to pick up your results. Then, you will upload them to Castle Branch under the “State of Illinois Background Check” item.

FBI Background Check Form

This is the federal background check. On the form, choose Option 1 for delivery method. Results are available for only 30 days and can only be viewed/printed one time. Please make sure to be near a printer when you are viewing these results. Then, you will upload them to Castle Branch under the “FBI Background Check” item.

Drug Screen

Students in the Speech-Language Pathology program are required to submit a clean 10-panel drug screen in order to progress in the program. Students will be instructed on how and where to obtain this drug screen upon acceptance into the program. Certain sites or certain circumstances could require students to have to repeat this drug screen, at the student's expense.

First Aid and CPR

• Copies of front and back of CPR certification card (or E-Card) through the American Heart Association.
• Must take the Basic Life Support (BLS) class for healthcare providers

Immunizations/Vaccinations

Influenza (flu)

Must be administered between August and November 1^st for the current flu season. Documentation of the flu shot MUST be dated with the current year.

COVID-19

COVID-19 vaccinations are required. COVID-19 vaccinations need to be up to date with CDC recommendations.

Tuberculosis (TB)

Negative Two Step TB Skin test or negative QuantiFERON Gold Blood test. If student has positive two step skin tests, they must provide a negative QuantiFERON Gold Blood test or a chest xray and clearance form from a physician.

Tetanus

Accepted evidence: documentation of Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis (Tdap) booster administered within the last 10 years or documentation of a Td if evidence of a previous Tdap is provided.

Measles, Mumps, Rubella

Accepted evidence: documentation of two (2) doses of the vaccine given four (4) weeks apart or documentation of a positive antibody titer.

Varicella (Chicken Pox)

Accepted evidence: documentation of two (2) doses of the vaccine given four (4) weeks apart or documentation of a positive antibody titer.

Hepatitis B

Documentation of 3 series Hepatitis B vaccinations and a positive quantitative antibody titer with results. If quantitative antibody titer is negative, student receives Hepatitis B booster and then re-titers to check for immunity. If student still shows negative immunity after 3 boosters, student is considered non-responder and must fill out Acknowledgement of Risk Form.

Clinical and Program Coordinators

Contact Megan McKenna, SLP clinic coordinator, at mmckenna@niu.edu.