Health Screening Information

Faculty of Health Sciences

Health Screening Information

The Faculty of Health Sciences at McMaster University is committed to providing a safe learning environment for our students.

All learners in the following Health Professional Programs in the Faculty of Health Sciences are required to submit a McMaster Health Screening Record to the Health Screening Office:

Midwifery Education Program
MSc in Child Life & Pediatric Psychosocial Care
MSc Occupational Therapy Program
MSc Physiotherapy Program
MSc Speech-Language Pathology Program
Nursing Graduate and Undergraduate Programs
Physician Assistant Education Program
Postgraduate Medicine Program
Undergraduate Medicine Program

The information collected on the Health Screening Record is used to verify that you meet the health requirements to practice safely in clinical settings and provides a baseline health profile for you as you begin or continue your health care career. Through this process you will have the opportunity to fulfill your first professional commitment and that is, to your safety and to those with whom you will interact.

McMaster University values your privacy. Personal health information will be held in strict confidence within the Faculty of Health Sciences Health Screening Office and only disclosed as needed with the consent of the student.

All health screening documentation must be reviewed and cleared by the Health Screening Office before students may participate in clinical activities.

Keep the original of your Health Screening Record and all supporting documentation for your files. Documents submitted to the Health Screening Office are not returned.

Student Wellness Centre (SWC)

All McMaster University students, with exception of Postgraduate Residents and Fellows, can visit the Student Wellness Centre located in the McMaster University Student Centre B101 for all their primary health care needs, including assistance with completing the requirements on the Health Screening Record.

The SWC is open year round, students entering Year One programs in the fall may visit the Centre during the summer prior to the start of their program provided they have been assigned a student number. Book an appointment early to ensure your deadlines are met. To learn more or to make an appointment, call 905-525-9140 ext 27700 or see Student Wellness Centre

Questions?

Questions or concerns about the Health Screening Record, or other health screening requirements can be directed to:

Health Screening Office

Office: MDCL 3541

Telephone: 905-525-9140 ext 22249

Email: hrsadmin@mcmaster.ca

Health Screening Requirements

All students in health professional programs will be required to understand and comply with the Faculty of Health Sciences health screening requirements before they may participate in clinical activities – including clinical skills sessions with fellow students and/or standardized patients.

For detailed requirements click here

NOTE: Updated requirements for Blood Borne Viruses effective October 1, 2017.

Specific requirements for your Program or year level can be found under the relevant tab on the left side bar.

Required forms can also be downloaded from the Forms & Submission tab.

Occupational Health & Safety

The Faculty of Health Sciences is committed to promoting occupational health and safety for its learners and facilitating appropriate support for learners who become injured or exposed to infectious or environmental hazards during the course of their studies or clinical training. Students must complete mandatory occupational health and safety education modules. Students are also responsible for reporting injuries and exposure to or infection with communicable diseases which occur during their program. For details click here.

To report an incident or injury, click on ReportIt Incident Reporting tab on left side bar.

Tuberculosis (TB)

For details click on Tuberculosis Information. All students in health professional programs must be screened for tuberculosis prior to starting their program.

Continuing surveillance (does not apply to Postgraduate Medicine program): In addition to annual screening, students with previous negative TB screening who are exposed to active (infectious) TB disease during their program are required to have a single tuberculin skin test (TST) eight or more weeks post-exposure and to submit a Post-Exposure TB Update Form to the Health Screening Office. Students who convert to a positive TST during their program must be cleared by the Health Screening Office before they may return to clinical activities.

Influenza immunization (flu shot)

The flu shot is the best defence to protect you and your patients from infection with influenza virus. Annual influenza immunization for clinical placements occurring between November and June is a mandatory requirement in FHS Health Professional Programs. The Student Wellness Centre and most pharmacies provide the flu vaccine at no cost. Students are to provide proof of immunization directly to their placement site.

For more information click on:

https://www.ontario.ca/page/flu-facts

https://www.hamilton.ca/public-health/health-topics/flu-vaccine

McMaster University

Health Screening Information

Health Screening Information