The safety and welfare of patients demands that all healthcare providers perform at the highest level of cognitive ability. The illegal use or abuse of drugs or alcohol impairs the ability of a healthcare professional to provide optimal care and may impact the student’s future ability to be licensed as a healthcare provider, at a state’s discretion. Please check applicable state laws. Although recreational use of marijuana is legal in some states, it is listed as an illegal drug by the U.S. Federal Drug Enforcement Agency. As such, the use of marijuana in any form that has not been prescribed by a licensed provider for medical purposes is a violation of University policy.
All students, as a condition of enrollment at Rocky Vista University, must agree to abide by the University’s Impaired Student Policy. Under this policy, students who are identified as suffering from substance abuse or addiction or who exhibit symptoms suggestive of impairment, either on campus or at one of its affiliates, are subject to immediate drug and alcohol screening and may be referred for further evaluation and treatment. Students undergoing further evaluation and treatment as indicated are protected by confidentiality of services. Refusal of a mandatory drug and alcohol screen will be grounds for immediate dismissal.
Any member of the University community who observes a student with symptoms suggestive of impairment, substance abuse, or addiction must report the matter to the Associate/Assistant Dean of Student Affairs or on EthicsPoint immediately.
The DNAP program prohibits the illegal use, possession, sale, manufacture, distribution, or any misappropriation of drugs, alcohol, or other controlled substances. It is also against DNAP program policy to report for program activities (classroom, clinical or other) under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other controlled substances. A violation of this policy is considered “unprofessional conduct” and is cause for dismissal from the DNAP program.
All students enrolled in the DNAP program, may be required to submit to a urine and/or alcohol drug screening before beginning clinical rotations. All students must complete an initial drug screen before their first term of enrollment in the program. Whether or not a subsequent substance abuse screening will be required to confirm a clinical placement depends upon the policies and practices of each healthcare organization where the DNAP has confirmed placement for student clinical practice.
A student may be required to submit to urine and/or alcohol screening at any point in his or her training based on “reasonable suspicion” by the DNAP or clinical training site. Submission must occur within three (3) hours of any action that gives rise to reasonable suspicion, which includes but is not limited to behaviors listed below:
- Slurred speech
- Odor of alcohol on breath or person
- Unsteady gait
- Confused or disoriented behavior
- Significant change in work habits
- Unexplained injury or accident
- Excessive sick days without supporting documentation
- Excessive tardiness to clinical practicum or class
- Change in alertness, sleepy, and confused
- Change in personality, physically assaultive, violent, indifferent
- Change in physical appearance, inappropriate clothing/sloppy
- Discrepancy in the management of controlled substances
- Suspicious or peculiar behavior
- Incidents during class sessions or clinical practicums that bring into question breach of professional standards
Faculty must ensure that a responsible party is identified who can provide transportation for the individual to the testing lab when there is a concern of impairment related to drug and/or alcohol use.
All incidents involving students that raise “reasonable suspicion” concerns should be immediately reported to the Clinical Coordinator, Program Director, Assistant Program Director, and Medical Director.
Specimen collection for urine, drug, and alcohol screening for “reasonable suspicion” will be conducted at a testing facility associated with and approved by Certified Background together with Certified Profile.
- Individuals required to submit to screening will be asked to register for test. (TBD) Upon successful registration, a form will be returned via email to present at the testing facility along with a list of the nearest testing facilities based on the zip code provided in the registration.
- Students who neglect or refuse to submit to testing within three (3) hours of notification are at risk for failing the clinical course and being dismissed from the DNAP.
After acceptance into the DNAP, but prior to beginning clinical rotations, students are required to submit to a 10 Panel drug test that tests for marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates, phencyclidine, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, methadone, propoxyphene, and methaqualone. Urine drug screenings will be conducted and reported through (TBD). The date specified by the DNAP must complete all screenings. Failure to complete the drug screen by the specified deadline, or a drug screen report with positive results will result in dismissal from the program. If testing is required, the student will be suspended from clinical practicum until the test results have been obtained.
Cost
- All associated costs for routine screening, including retesting for any reason, is at the expense of the student. Routine screenings cost approximately $35.
- Screening requested because of reasonable suspicion of inappropriate behavior in the clinical setting will be at the expense of the DNAP.
Use and Care of Information
Test results are confidential with a disclosure of results provided electronically only to persons approved to review and evaluate qualifications for clinical programs.
False or Misleading Statements
Any false information contained on any forms on this policy will be grounds for the immediate rejection of the applicant or immediate disciplinary action per the Student Conduct Code of a current student.
The medical director of the collecting agency reviews all results. Negative urine and/or alcohol screening reports require no further action. Inconclusive urine drug screen results will require retesting at the student's expense and may require the individual to disclose any prescription medications they are taking. No additional actions will be required if further investigation proves a negative result. However, if further investigation proves the results are positive, the student will be notified, and appropriate actions will be taken.
Students with a positive screen will be dismissed from the DNAP program. Additionally, the DNAP will submit a report to the Colorado State Nursing Board. for further investigation and action. Information about rehabilitation, as appropriate, will be provided by the DNAP program, clinical training site or State Nursing Board. The student is responsible for all costs associated with rehabilitation.