Raven EMS Education Program Manual
Sub-Section 5.75.500 - Student Health

Needlestick prevention and post injury procedures can be found in Sub-Section 5.75.325 - Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure and Needlesticks.

Student attendance requirements will not be waived for illness, however, allowances for makeup and/or virtual attendance may be allowed. These allowances will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Lead Instructor. Students will be expected to study and practice in his or her own time to maintain skill levels.

Additional or elevated requirements than those listed below may be needed based on current community outbreak or pandemic situations. Refer to guidance by the Centers for Disease Control, local public health agencies, individual hospital infection control departments, and the course Lead Instructor in these situations.

General guidelines to avoid spreading communicable disease (Forbes, Communicable disease policy, 2021):

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Stay at home if you are sick.
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Student vaccination requirements while live patients are present:

• Influenza and COVID
• Influenza: Annual flu shots are required. Typically, during the months of November, December, January, February, March, and April, influenza vaccination will be required during the previous 12 months. Annually, the flu season deadlines are adjusted as directed by the CDC, local public health agencies, and Hospital Infection Prevention Department.
• COVID: COVID vaccination is required with either a completed two-dose vaccination series or a one-dose series is required by most hospital systems.
• Exemptions: Many hospital systems recognize medical or religious exemption requests. Students must follow each system’s process to request and obtain exemption. If an exemption is obtained, students must follow the hospital’s guidelines that may require mask wearing at all times.
• MMR: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccination is required or titer showing immunization
• TDAP: Tetanus vaccination is required
• TB test: A two-step negative Tuberculosis test is required or verification of not having an active infection.

Proof of the above vaccinations is required, and a copy will be maintained in the student folder prior to activities listed above.

Students with a Diagnosed Communicable Disease

Examples include common cold, influenza, COVID, hepatitis, herpes or cold sore, HIV-related illness, etc.

• During the active transmissible phase of the illness, activities where other students, instructors, or patients are present are not allowed.
• During the active transmissible phase of the illness, attendance on campus is not allowed.
• A letter from the student’s health care provider is required to allow participation in practical skills stations or have direct patient care or contact.

Undiagnosed Illnesses with a Fever

Students must be non-febrile (less than 100.4°F) for 24 hours before attending activities on campus or having contact with other students, instructors, or patients (Forbes, COVID-19 corporate employee return to work policy, 2022).

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