All Health Sciences students are required to submit documentation of certain immunizations and health screenings, and clear criminal history checks to be eligible for clinical placement and complete their program. Most programs also require Basic Life Support CPR Certification from the American Heart Association.
The Division of Health Sciences (DHS) has established the health and safety documentation requirements based on the following guidelines:
New Health Sciences students must submit all required documentation by the published deadline, which will be either on or before the first day of the first semester of their respective program. Upon acceptance into a Health Sciences program, new students will receive instructions on how to submit immunization documents and CPR certifications to an online portal. This is a separate process from submitting immunizations to MassBay as a General Studies student.
If you are considering a Health Sciences program, we recommend you start gathering immunization records right away.
Immunizations/Health Screenings for Health Sciences Students include:
To monitor student compliance with documentation requirements and readiness to attend clinical assignments, the Division of Health Sciences uses an online document tracking system from a company called Viewpoint Screening.
Upon admission into a Health Sciences program, the student will receive instructions on how to set up an account on the Viewpoint Screening website, to upload and maintain immunization records, Basic Life Support Provider CPR, and other documentation. Students are expected to create their Viewpoint account within two weeks of receiving these instructions and keep documents updated throughout their program. All required documentation must be submitted and approved by Viewpoint for a student to keep their seat in the Health Sciences program.
Any MassBay Health Sciences student whose course-work or clinical placement activity requires direct access to children, elderly, patients, or disabled or other at-risk populations, must submit to a background check. Students must clear these criminal history checks in order to participate in Health Sciences programs. If there is a finding of criminal convictions or “open cases,” the student will be ineligible to participate in the Health Sciences Program.
The criminal background checks include:
Students will need to know their Social Security Number and provide a government-issued photo identification (driver’s license/state ID/U.S. Passport). The CORI and SORI completion process occurs at new student orientations at the beginning of Health Sciences programs, and annually thereafter.