Acknowledgement Letter

Health Professions Clinical Training Letter and Acknowledgement

(June 04, 2020)

Dear Student,

The coronavirus pandemic has created unprecedented challenges we have had to face together, while also apart from one another. As we plan for learning activities outside of the traditional classroom, we remain committed to promoting the health and safety of our community. As you know, learning in a clinical or practice setting involves certain health and safety risks, which health care providers and faculty address by practicing and teaching appropriate precautions. This letter is to inform you of your responsibilities as well as what we are doing to mitigate risk to your health and safety and to others.

VCU will take the following steps to adapt training programs to the COVID-19 environment:

1. Follow applicable government guidance, including the Secretary of Education's Updated Advisement About Health Care Related Instruction Under Executive Orders 53, 55, 61, 62 and Related Orders, https://www.education.virginia.gov/media/governorvirginiagov/secretary-of-education/pdf/Secretary-COVID-19-Health-Education-Advisement-(5-26-20).pdf

2. Train students and faculty on the proper use of standard personal protective equipment (PPE) for clinical or practical training settings

In addition to standard training protocols, you must follow these instructions in order to participate in clinical and/or practical training:

1. Stay informed of, and monitor yourself daily for the symptoms of COVID-19 as defined by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html

2. Report symptoms associated with COVID-19 promptly to VCU Student Health Services

3. Review and follow CDC guidelines for protecting yourself and others, https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/prevention.html

4. Review and follow the CDC guidelines for the correct use of PPE https://www.cdc.gov/hai/pdfs/ppe/ppe-sequence.pdf

5. Communicate with your dean's office if you notice that appropriate precautions are not in effect at your training site. If there is a conflict between VCU guidance and site protocols, contact your dean's office for guidance.

6. Communicate with VCU Student Health Services if you have had contact with someone suspected of or positive for COVID-19 and follow university guidance or protocols

7. Read carefully all future communications from VCU regarding updates to COVID-19 guidelines and notify your dean's office if you have questions or concerns about how to comply.

These standards are essential to your academic performance and are part of the technical standards of your clinical or practical training activities. As always, if you are unable to meet the technical standards of your clinical or practical training activities, you may consult with the Division for Academic Success (DAS). DAS will work with you and your program, in an interactive process, to determine reasonable accommodations.

You have the option to postpone any clinical or practical training, without academic penalty; however, completion of clinical placement(s) may be required prior to graduation or progression within your academic program.

Due to the nature of infectious diseases like COVID-19 and their presence in society, no physical environment is free of the risk of transmission. The rules and guidelines identified above can mitigate, but cannot eliminate, this risk.

The prevailing guidelines related to the COVID-19 pandemic are subject to change. The university and students must remain flexible and adjust as new information and developing state and federal directives require changes to guidelines and university operations.

Thank you for your professionalism, diligence, and concern for the well-being of our community.

Respectfully,

Peter F. Buckley, M.D.
Interim Senior Vice President, VCU Health Sciences and CEO, VCU Health System

Acknowledgement

By my signature and continued participation in clinical training, I acknowledge the following: I have read Dr. Buckley's Health Professions Clinical Training Letter (dated June 4, 2020), including the referenced guidance, and acknowledge that training in clinical or practical settings may include risks, such as injury or illness. I am responsible for my own actions, and my failure to abide by all requirements listed above may result in my temporary or permanent removal from a clinical or practical educational experience, which may impact my ability to fulfill graduation requirements. Further, the Student Code of Conduct prohibits conduct that endangers the health or safety of any person, which may include failure to follow safety protocols. If I have any questions or concerns about these requirements or my ability to comply with them, I will communicate directly with my academic program before returning to clinical or practical training activities.

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