Dear Faculty and Staff,

Greetings. I write to you again because the ongoing challenges from COVID-19 continue to permeate every aspect of our mission. To ensure the safety of our College family, our recommendations continue to evolve as new information is released. 

Specifically, we have new information regarding students who will be going on clinical rotations or working in clinical environments.

On Aug. 4, 2021, UK HealthCare announced mandatory COVID vaccination for all providers, staff, trainees, learners and those who work in UK HealthCare facilities. Therefore, as of Sept. 15, 2021, UKHC requires all students completing clinical rotation to submit appropriate documentation showing:

• completion of the first vaccination against COVID-19; or
• completion of the full vaccination series against COVID-19; or
• an approved declination through UK HealthCare’s formal vaccine declination process related to the individual’s medical contraindications or a sincerely held religious belief  

For those students who have completed the first vaccination prior to their first clinical activities, the second vaccination (if applicable) will need to be completed following the vaccination recommended schedule to be considered fully vaccinated. Please note that you are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at two weeks past completing the full COVID-19 vaccination series.

If exempted through the UK HealthCare process, additional measures may include, but are not limited to:

• learner education
• COVID-19 PCR testing on a routine basis
• use of a mask at all times within any UK HealthCare facility
• and temporary or permanent re-assignment of the student at the discretion of UK HealthCare (in collaboration with the clinical learning program)

It is important that no direct patient contact occur without vaccination or an approved declination (following the declination protocol).   

A few other notes:

• UK students who enroll after Sept. 15, 2021, who have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and have not received an approved declination through UKHC’s formal declination process from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement will not be permitted to engage in any clinical educational learning experience at UKHC. 
• UK students enrolled prior to Sept. 15, 2021, who have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and who do not have an approved declination through UKHC’s formal declination process will be subject to additional measures to reduce possible transmission of COVID-19 (e.g., daily screening, regular COVID testing, masking).
• Also, screening for COVID-19 symptoms must be completed daily via the UK HealthCare web-based tool. This is an OSHA requirement. UK students who fail any portion (if they are following our screening) cannot work and will not be permitted into any of the UK HealthCare facilities as a learner until the issue is addressed and the UK student is compliant with the UK HealthCare COVID-19 policies. (Failure includes having two or more symptoms or a fever only).  

Now, I will need assistance from some of our faculty and staff to support our efforts, specifically in how we:

• Communicate requirements to students: https://covid-19.ukhc.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/121/2020/06/COVID-19-...
• Maintain a record of student acknowledgment and agreement to follow the guidelines, per the consent form we provide. 
• Designate a responsible person to monitor student compliance with vaccination, surveillance testing, screening, masking, and other COVID-19 policies of UKHC.
• Ensure that students report all positive COVID-19 tests to Health Corps via the self-report tool so that Health Corps can follow the already established process of notifying UKHC’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) team if a student turns positive after an observation or rotation at UKHC. 

As I have said time and again, it is our responsibility to do everything possible to keep our co-workers, students, families and patients safe.

I thank you for all you have done. I know we will continue to persevere.

Stay safe and well,

Scott


LINKS:

• Requirements for students
• The self-report tool
• Patient care recommendations for PPE