ELIGIBILITY FOR CLINICAL ROTATIONS, LICENSURE, & EMPLOYMENT
Criminal Background Checks
Southern Union is contractually obligated to comply with requirements set forth by agencies used for clinical rotations. Clinical agencies used by the college require that students subject to criminal background checks by an approved agency. “Consent for Release of Information” form must be submitted to authorize the criminal history record check and the release of information to the clinical agency. Students may have to submit to more than one criminal background check during their ed- ucational experience. The cost of the background check is the responsibility of the student. Results are confidential and submitted directly to the clinical agency. Any student denied clinical access by a clinical affiliate will be administratively withdrawn from the program.
Drug Screening
Students are required to abide by the policies, procedures and rules of behavior of the in situations from which the student obtains clinical laboratory experiences. Students will be required to undergo unannounced drug and alcohol testing prior to clinical. Students will also be subject to random drug testing and drug or alcohol testing for “cause.” Students who test positive for drugs or alcohol will be administratively withdrawn from the Health Sciences program.
Legal Limitations for Licensure and Employment
According to the Nurse Practice Act of Alabama, the Administrative Code of the Alabama Board of Nursing, the Alabama Department of Public Health, Emergency Medical Services Division, the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians, the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs application for licensure in Alabama or national certification to practice as an Emergency Medical Technician, Advanced Emergency Medical Technician, or Paramedic, Licensed Practical Nurse, Registered Nurse, Surgical Technologist, and/or Radiographer may be denied if a person has been convicted of a felony, is guilty of a crime involving moral turpitude, and/or has displayed other grounds for denial as specified by law. Additionally, many health care facilities will not employ a person, even if fully certified and/or licensed, who has been convicted of a felony or who has unfit personal habits including alcohol or drug abuse.