Clinical Requirements

The programs identified below have learning experiences through internships, practicums, clinicals or similar for which additional clinical or special requirements for the student are mandatory. For more information, select a program below or refer to the undergraduate or graduate catalogs and the College of Health and Human Sciences clinical/special requirement page.

Drug Screen Policy

Understanding of Risk Survey

You will receive a link to the understanding of risk survey from the clinical coordinator once the course begins.

Undergraduate

Deadline

Clinical requirements must be met prior to registering for clinical practicums.

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.

Drug Screen

Students in the MLS program are required to submit a clean 10-panel drug screen in order to progress in the program. You will be instructed on how and where to obtain this drug screen upon acceptance into the program. Certain sites or certain circumstances could require you to have to repeat this drug screen, at your expense.

CPR

CPR certification is required and must be current throughout the duration of the clinical experience. CPR certification must be obtained through the American Heart Association, and only the BLS certification for Healthcare Providers will be accepted.

Immunizations/Vaccinations

COVID 19

COVID-19 vaccinations are 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.

Rubeola (Measles)

Evidence of Immunity: Two doses of live measles vaccine; 28 days or more apart, or proof of a positive quantitative titer.

Rubella

Evidence of Immunity: Two doses of live rubella vaccine; 28 days or more apart, or a positive quantitative titer.

Varicella (Chicken Pox)

Evidence of Immunity: Two doses of live varicella vaccine; 28 days or more apart, or evidence of a positive quantitative titer.

Mumps

Evidence of Immunity: Two doses of live measles vaccine; 28 days or more apart, or evidence of a positive quantitative titer.

Tetanus

Evidence of Immunity: A Tdap vaccine administered within the past 10 years or a Tdap vaccine administered within your lifetime and a Td booster administered in the past 10 years.

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.

Flu Vaccine

Administered September-November of the clinical year (must be flu current season).

Proof of Health Insurance

  • A copy of your health insurance card or policy cover sheet that documents your health care coverage must be submitted to Castle Branch.
  • If you are purchasing student health insurance through NIU, you can request a Certificate of Health Insurance Coverage by calling the student health insurance office at 815-753-0122 or sending an email to studentinsurance@niu.edu. The document will show the effective/expiration dates and is available even before the cards are available.

OSHA, BBP and HIPAA Combined Compliance Training Programs

  • Register through Citi Program.
  • Complete training and upload to Castlebranch.

Clinical Coordinator

Contact Amanda Voelker, clinical coordinator, at avoelker2@niu.edu.

Deadline

Clinical requirements must be met prior to registering for internship.

Criminal Background Check

Some internship affiliates may require that students submit to a criminal background check prior to beginning the internship at the student’s expense. You will be instructed how to obtain your background checks.

Drug Screen

Some internship affiliates may require that students submit to a drug screen, at your expense. You will be instructed on how to obtain your drug screen.

Immunizations/Vaccinations

Certain internship affiliates may require further proof of immunizations or other proof at your expense.

Program Coordinator

Contact Becky Pritchard, internship coordinator, at rpritchard@niu.edu.

Graduate

About COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements

  • NIU strongly encourages every Huskie to be vaccinated and up to date on their vaccines.
  • Many clinical placements, internships and practicums are requiring participating students to be fully vaccinated.
  • We encourage all CHHS students to complete health requirements for these placements based on required program deadlines. If you are not fully vaccinated, you may be unable to participate in activities required by your degree program in a timely manner and your graduation could be delayed.
  • Students in graduate dietetic internship programs need to include the COVID-19 vaccine with other program requirements. Please contact your advisors, clinical program coordinators and chairs in your specific program with questions.

Deadline

All health documentation (unless otherwise noted) must be submitted by July 1 prior to beginning clinical experience. Current season flu shot is due by October 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.

Drug Screen

Students in the Dietetic Internship programs are required to submit a clean 10-panel drug screen in order to progress in the program. You 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 your expense.

First Aid and CPR

One of the following:

  • American Heart Association Healthcare Provider course
  • American Heart Association Heartsaver course
  • American Red Cross CPR with AED

Immunizations/Vaccinations

  • 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 doses of the vaccine given four weeks apart or documentation of a positive antibody titer.
  • Varicella (Chicken Pox): Accepted evidence: documentation of two doses of the vaccine given four 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 three 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 QuantiFERON Gold Blood test or negative Two Step TB Skin 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.

Other

  • Proof of health insurance
  • HIPAA and infectious disease – passing quiz scores
  • Code of Ethics sign-off (due after orientation)
  • ServSafe Food Manager certification or other ANSI certified Food Manager certification
  • Professional liability insurance
  • Handbook sign-off after orientation

Dietetic Internship Coordinator

Contact Nancy Prange, dietetic internship coordinator, at nprange@niu.edu.

Deadline

Clinical requirements must be met prior to registering for internship.

Criminal Background Check

Some internship affiliates may require that students submit to a criminal background check prior to beginning the internship at the student's expense. You will be instructed how to obtain your background checks.

Drug Screen

Some internship affiliates may require that students submit to a drug screen, at your expense. You will be instructed on how to obtain your drug screen.

Immunizations/Vaccinations

Certain internship affiliates may require further proof of immunizations or other proof at your expense.

Program Coordinator

Contact Becky Pritchard, internship coordinator, at rpritchard@niu.edu.

Contact Us

School of Health Studies
Wirtz Hall 209
DeKalb, IL 60115
815-753-1384
shs@niu.edu

Hours

Monday through Thursday
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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