Program Handbooks > Program Handbook: Phlebotomy > Technical Standards and Requirements > Health Requirements, Drug Screen, and Criminal Background Checks

Health Requirements, Drug Screen, and Criminal Background Checks

All students with a required clinical component in their program of study must comply with specific requirements that include a background check, drug screen, and health requirements. The requirements may vary depending on the program of study and the clinical affiliate assignment. The Clinical Compliance Coordinator will communicate the process for completing the clinical requirements prior to the program deadline. Students are responsible for all costs.

If the requirements are not completed by the 4th Friday, after the start of class, or if there is a failure to maintain requirements during the program of study, students will be prohibited from practice at the clinical affiliate site.

Students who change programs of study or who have been absent from the program of study for six months (180 days) or longer will be required to update their criminal background check, drug screen, and health requirements. Current information is maintained on the College website at https://www.mercycollege.edu/my-mercy/background-checks-health-records/ and is subject to change.  The policy can be found at https://mercycollege.edu/about/compliance-consumer-information.

Failing to clear the criminal background check, fingerprinting and drug screen, as a part of a required clinical, may be cause for dismissal from the program. Incomplete health, drug screen or background check requirements may result in program dismissal or suspension of the clinical.

Any concerns about the outcome of a criminal background check, fingerprints and/or drug screen should be discussed, in advance, with the Program Lead to determine the correct course of action.